SENIOR+: Educational Communities to boost business opportunities for unemployed people over 55 years old through entrepreneurship.

The European Union's population and workforce are aging. The proportion of the EU-27 population aged 55 and over rose from 25% in 1990 to 30% in 2010, and is expected to reach 37% by 2030 (Eurostat, 2012). As a result, the workforce is also aging - the proportion of the workforce aged 55 to 69 increased by 26.5% between 1987 and 2010. Data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor suggests that older people are motivated more by opportunity than necessity. However, the COVID-19 crisis, where the elderly are often seen as "vulnerable", had changed this data and prompted more people over 55 to start their own businesses. With the SENIOR+ project, we brought together 6 organizations from France, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Greece and Cyprus who wanted to cooperate to define strategies and tools for senior entrepreneurship, particularly for those at risk of exclusion.

- support the entrepreneurial spirit of people over the age of 55 - involve business and social sector professionals in educational communities - identify business opportunities for people over 55 - design a course with training modules on digital skills for senior entrepreneurship, accessible and free of charge - develop a digital environment (an online platform) for business incubation and mentoring

In order to identify the best strategies for promoting business participation in incubation programs, we developed a questionnaire for professionals that established a methodological basis and defined the key aspects for ecosystem mapping. The results were compiled in a document that identified the methodologies needed to develop this mapping process and included the factors identified as helping to promote the participation of professionals. Based on these results, we developed 10 training modules that helped seniors to acquire necessary skills for launching their business ideas. Thanks to all partners' network, we prepared the concept of an "idea bank" and asked for contributions from companies and entrepreneurs, also to identify potential niches in their markets. The ideas were then collected and analyzed by incubator trainers and mentors. At the same time, we created the digital platform where the various ideas were stored. Finally, we analyzed some incubation experiences already implemented, as well as incubation experiences that had occurred during actions carried out by partners or other associated entities. We provided the online platform that contains modules, guidelines and bank of ideas for future entrepreneurs.

PR1: IDEC developed a model questionnaire to engage business and social sector professionals in entrepreneurship programs for people 55+. The responses were analyzed, leading to 5 local ecosystem reports, the definition of selection criteria for participant companies, and a template for inviting professionals to the incubation and mentoring process. PR2: ESE led the creation of online training modules for digital skills. After collecting 40 responses from workshops and validating 3 initial test modules, the team developed 7 additional modules.The Beta version of the platform was validated by 20 users, and all modules were translated into partner languages. PR3: ANZ developed a framework for a digital business idea bank for people 55+.Workshops with 5 countries’ organizations led to 8 new business ideas were uploaded to the SENIOR+ platform. Validation involved mentors and senior entrepreneurs, with all ideas translated into partner languages. PR4: the project's team analyzed incubation models with NGOs and entrepreneurs, involving 18 mentor trainers and new senior entrepreneurs.Using the Canva business model, they created a user guide and launched a digital environment to enhance social inclusion and digital skills for people 55+