As part of the "Bridging the Digital Divide" project, during the Red Cross Week, a gathering and exchange of experiences was organized at the Red Cross Kruševac, bringing together older persons who successfully completed digital inclusion training. Participants from Kruševac, Velika Plana, Aleksinac, and the Red Cross of Serbia, who are part of the "Care for the Elderly" program, had the opportunity to share their experiences and acquired knowledge.

This event was particularly significant as it also promoted volunteerism among older persons and their active participation in building solidarity and an inclusive society. Senior volunteers serve as an example of how digital skills can become a powerful tool for intergenerational connection and reducing social isolation.

The "Bridging the Digital Divide" project holds multiple layers of importance, as it not only enhances digital skills among older persons but also represents a vital step in combating discrimination and marginalization. By empowering older persons to become equal members of society, the project emphasizes the importance of equal access to digital services for all citizens. Additionally, it has an advocacy component, aiming to raise awareness that digitalization should not widen existing social gaps but rather serve as a bridge to inclusion.

Experts from the Red Cross of Serbia – Nataša Todorović and Dr. Milutin Vračević – shared valuable advice and guidelines for implementing the program while also discussing the challenges and next steps in improving digital inclusion for older persons.

The "Bridging the Digital Divide" project is part of the “PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature” program, jointly implemented by UN agencies in Serbia – UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with financial support from the Government of Switzerland.

This project is not just about training – it is an opportunity for older persons to have a voice, to recognize their knowledge and experiences as valuable resources, and to strengthen their capacities to face the digital challenges of modern society.