University of Athens | 25–26 June 2026 | Ioannis Drakopoulos Amphitheatre
On 25 and 26 June 2026, the University of Athens hosted the final event of the CIVIS Open Lab: Intergenerational Learning Communities, bringing together academics, students, teachers, representatives of NGOs, local authorities, schools, older people, community organisations and policymakers from Greece and across the CIVIS Alliance. Over two inspiring days, participants celebrated not only the successful completion of the project but also the emergence of a vibrant community of practice, demonstrating how universities can serve as catalysts for social innovation, civic engagement and intergenerational solidarity.
Opening of the CIVIS Event at the ‘Ioannis Drakopoulos’ Amphitheatre
A Living Lab for Community Transformation
From its inception, the Open Lab set out to address one of Europe’s growing social challenges: the widening gap between generations. Rather than viewing ageing solely through the lens of care, the project promoted a vision of intergenerational learning founded on the principles of:
• reciprocity
• co-creation
• civic engagement
• creativity
• democratic engagement
• community well-being
Across Greece, Austria and Spain, the consortium developed innovative educational and community-based initiatives that demonstrated how meaningful encounters between generations can reduce ageism, foster empathy and strengthen community connections.
Sharing Best Practices
The first day explored the Open Lab’s vision, methodology and research findings. Partners from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and the Autonomous University of Madrid presented the activities developed throughout the project, followed by an inspiring keynote panel discussion examining ageing, intergenerationality and contemporary society.
Social partners also showcased a range of successful initiatives, including:
• Intergenerational dance and music
• Picture books connecting older people and kindergarten children
• Artistic swimming for all ages
• ‘Stronger Together’: Community Volunteering Initiative
• ‘Smile for Life’ Service-Learning Initiative
Researchers and social partners presenting the project’s outcomes.
From Knowledge to Civic Action
The second day demonstrated how Open Labs can generate tangible social impact. Through practical examples, participants explored community engagement in the areas of:
• the arts
• movement
• education
• volunteering
• storytelling
• public discourse
Participants also shared experiences from schools, NGOs and community organisations, demonstrating how universities and citizens can co-design sustainable responses to complex social challenges.
Intergenerational activities developed throughout the project
Lasting Impact
The Open Lab leaves behind far more than a successful programme of activities. Its legacy includes new partnerships between universities and communities, innovative educational resources, practical tools for designing intergenerational programmes, stronger civic engagement, greater visibility for older people within community life, new opportunities for students to engage in challenge-based learning, and firm foundations for future CIVIS collaborations.
One of the highlights of the event was the closing artistic performance, which brought together music, storytelling and intergenerational participation, capturing the project’s central message:
‘Communities grow stronger when generations create together’.
Looking Ahead
Although the Open Lab has now formally concluded, the community it created continues to grow. The consortium is already developing new CIVIS initiatives that will build on this work through feminist civic engagement, community innovation and transnational collaboration. The project has shown that intergenerational learning can transform universities into places where communities do far more than study society – they actively shape its future.
Together, we are building communities where generations learn, create and thrive.
