To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations – NGOs, local governments, or citizens. A team of national researchers from the RESISTIRÉ project has collected and highlighted a set of particularly relevant initiatives in 27 European countries and in Iceland, Serbia, the United Kingdom and Turkey. These Better Stories cover eight specific domains: gender-based violence, the labour market, the economy, gender-pay and pension gaps, gender care gaps, decision-making and politics, environmental justice, human and fundamental rights.

This Better Story was collected by Raili Marling

A programme to break the cycle of domestic violence

The project, funded by the EU’s Local Development and Poverty Reduction programme and Norway Grants, is a collaborative effort between various NGOs dedicated to addressing domestic violence, including organizations like The Women’s Support and Information Center and the Pärnu Women’s Support Centre. Joining forces with Icelandic partners, the initiative aims to provide comprehensive training in five major regions of Estonia. The primary objective is to sensitize front-line workers to recognize signs of domestic violence, while also emphasizing the significance of prevention and the avoidance of re-victimization.

Through this project, a key goal is to raise  awareness regarding the root causes, consequences, and available support options related to domestic violence. By equipping professionals with the necessary training, they are empowered to not only address the immediate consequences but also actively contribute to prevention efforts. This proactive approach enables experts to intervene at the early stages of violence, where the potential for reversing the damage is greater and the mental well-being of potential survivors can be safeguarded before enduring prolonged suffering.

Prevention strategies implementation

To effectively combat this pressing issue, it is crucial to foster strong collaboration among various professionals who regularly come into contact with victims. Beyond specialized practitioners, such as support centers, local authorities, and victim/survivor assistance workers, the project also seeks to engage partners like family doctors, nurses, and court representatives. By involving a wide range of stakeholders, the project endeavors to create a comprehensive support network that can effectively address domestic violence and provide holistic assistance to those affected.

Find out more about the initiative

Photo by Sincerely Media from Unsplash

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations – NGOs, local governments, or citizens. A team of national researchers from the RESISTIRÉ project has collected and highlighted a set of particularly relevant initiatives in 27 European countries and in Iceland, Serbia, the United Kingdom and Turkey. These Better Stories cover eight specific domains: gender-based violence, the labour market, the economy, gender-pay and pension gaps, gender care gaps, decision-making and politics, environmental justice, human and fundamental rights.

This Better Story was collected by Raili Marling

This ambitious project, initiated by the Estonian Association of Pensioners’ Associations, aims to empower elderly individuals by providing them with training modules to enhance their digital literacy skills. By challenging the commonly held belief that age is a barrier to learning and personal development, this initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide among the elderly population.

Empowering the Elderly through digital literacy

Recognizing the importance of addressing the specific needs of vulnerable elderly people across Estonia, the project takes an intersectional approach that considers the influence of both age and socio-economic status. By tailoring the training modules to cater to these individuals, the project aims to create equal opportunities for all elderly citizens to benefit from the digital world.

Addressing seniors’ challenges

Each training programme offered by the project has a duration of 20 academic hours, providing a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. The Estonian partners involved in the development of these programs have contributed their expertise to create a diverse range of training modules that cater to the specific needs and interests of elderly individuals. Among these modules:

• Addressing seniors’ challenges in the silver economy
• Building digital skills
• Social activity in old age
• Memory training
• Physical exercises

Find out more about the initiative

Photo from Freepik