Description of impact
As the presenter and moderator at this high-level European conference involving Riga Municipality, senior organizations, academic institutions, and NGOs, I played a key role in framing and facilitating discussions on loneliness among older persons — one of the most pressing social challenges in Europe.My contributions included:
Opening and moderating plenary sessions with policymakers, such as the Mayor of Riga and the Minister of Welfare.
Engaging stakeholders (e.g. EURAG leadership, researchers from Latvia, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Lithuania) in inclusive and targeted dialogue.
Supporting the formulation of evidence-based recommendations for reducing loneliness across multiple levels: individual, community, national, and EU policy.
Bridging perspectives between local practices and international strategies by highlighting Latvia’s unique social challenges and best practices.
Promoting multi-sector collaboration between municipalities, senior organizations, and researchers.
The conference’s outcomes contributed to:
Enhanced cooperation between stakeholders working on aging, well-being, and social inclusion.
Visibility for Latvian leadership in addressing demographic challenges.
Policy insight exchange with EU counterparts to develop innovative solutions for elder loneliness.
Stakeholders
🏛 Government and Municipal InstitutionsRiga City Council (Rīgas dome) — political leadership, including the Mayor of Riga
Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia — national policy on ageing, social services
Education and Sports Committee of Riga City Council
🌍 International Organizations and Delegates
EURAG (European Federation of Older Persons) — with representatives from:
Germany (President Dirk Jarr)
Czech Republic (General Secretary Danuše Steinová)
Ireland, Denmark, Netherlands, Lithuania — senior policy experts and practitioners
👥 Civil Society & NGOs
RASA – Rīgas aktīvo senioru alianse — host organization representing active seniors in Latvia
Aspazija NGO — local experience in social engagement and health promotion
Other local and international senior associations (from EURAG network)
🎓 Academic & Research Institutions
University of Latvia (LU) — researchers in social sciences and humanities
Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) — public health and ageing specialists
Independent researchers in theology, sociology, digitalization, and elder care
💬 Community Representatives
Senior citizens from Latvia and other European countries
Volunteers, caregivers, and service providers working with elderly populations
Benefits to stakeholders
The conference provided tangible value to multiple stakeholder groups through knowledge exchange, collaboration opportunities, and policy insight development. Key benefits included:🏛 Government & Municipal Institutions
Access to international best practices in tackling social isolation and loneliness among seniors.
Policy learning and inspiration for developing inclusive ageing policies.
Enhanced capacity to design local strategies aligned with EU frameworks on social well-being and demographic change.
🌍 International Delegates & EURAG Members
Platform for showcasing national experiences, successful interventions, and pilot programs.
Strengthened cross-border cooperation on ageing issues.
Broadened network of collaborators for future joint projects and advocacy.
👥 NGOs & Civil Society
Increased visibility of local initiatives and challenges faced by grassroots organizations.
Empowerment through peer learning and access to innovative engagement models.
Strengthened voice in policy discussions on ageing and inclusion.
🎓 Researchers & Academic Institutions
Opportunity to present cutting-edge research to a practice-oriented audience.
Valuable feedback loop from policy-makers and practitioners.
Potential for new research partnerships and data-sharing across countries.
🧓 Senior Communities
Representation in high-level discussions about their needs and rights.
Recognition of lived experiences of loneliness and inclusion.
Empowerment through visibility, respect, and policy responsiveness.
🤝 Cross-sector Synergy
Creation of a shared understanding of the complex nature of loneliness.
Fostering a multi-disciplinary, multi-level approach to problem-solving.
Foundation for collaborative solutions and future EU-level advocacy.
Impact activity - Communications
Actively contributed to cross-sector and multilingual communication at a high-level European conference on loneliness in later life. Supported stakeholder engagement, public visibility, and the formulation of policy messages for wider dissemination.Impact activity - Collaboration
Facilitated collaboration among municipalities, ministries, NGOs, and researchers from six countries, strengthening cross-sector and international partnerships to address loneliness among older adults.| Impact date | 24 Apr 2025 → 26 Apr 2025 |
|---|---|
| Category of impact | Quality of life impacts |
| Impact level | Engagement |