Health, aging and retirement in Europe – these topics were explored by representatives from Riga Stradins University (RSU), the University of Iceland, and the University of Liechtenstein under the Program “Research and Education” of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants. The project, titled “Promoting Healthy Aging, Well-being, and Social Security,” helped deepen the understanding of this critical subject and fostered collaboration in aging research.
The project aimed to expand cooperation beyond the SHARE* study (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe). The objective was to collaboratively develop scientific project proposals on aging with partner universities and to exchange insights on potential solutions, enhancing the diversity of university courses offered.
Between 2022 and 2024, the project facilitated 26 mobility exchanges involving academic staff, administrative personnel, and students from RSU and donor country universities.
Experience Sharing to Promote Collaboration
In the summer of 2022, the project’s first phase took place in Latvia, with participants from the University of Iceland and the University of Liechtenstein. During in-person meetings, Professor Tanja Kirn from the University of Liechtenstein delivered a lecture on gender disparities in future pensions. Meetings with RSU representatives led to agreements on future collaborations and the refinement of study programs.
Discussions continued with RSU’s Faculty of Rehabilitation and the Public Health Institute, with participants also engaging in seminar at the Nordic Council of Ministers Office. This hybrid event involved ministries, Nordic embassies, NGOs, researchers, and students interested in the topic of aging.
In November 2022, participants visited the University of Liechtenstein during a mobility week. Topics discussed included societal aging and related challenges. Participants attended a lecture on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, networked in a “speed-dating” format, visited a center for people with special needs, and explored pension systems in various countries.
In 2023 and 2024, RSU students and staff participated in one-week to three-month mobility exchanges to Iceland and Liechtenstein. These opportunities allowed participants to explore educational programs, attend thematic seminars and develop new project ideas.
Outcomes and International Collaboration
The project expanded collaboration networks and resultes in new partnerships with Spain, Georgia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, and Germany. Researchers began joint studies, submitted research proposals and prepared publications. The project also resulted in development of concepts for ERASMUS+ and Horizon Europe Health calls in 2024/2025.
Through this initiative, participants also gained insights into the cultures and lifestyles of Latvia, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, as well as their health, social, and economic contexts. The project significantly enhanced the understanding of aging issues among researchers, policymakers, and the general public.
Total cost: €85 385, with €72 577,25 from the EEA financial instrument and €12 807,75 from Latvia’s state budget. The project was implemented in Latvia between 2021 and 2024, concluding in April 2024.
*SHARE: An international study gathering data on health, social, economic, and political factors affecting aging populations through surveys of individuals aged 50 and above. Latvia joined SHARE in 2017.
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