The common challenge of the Setomaa region in Estonia and the Engure and Ape regions in Latvia is to improve the social well-being of long-term unemployed local seniors.
Decreasing population in rural areas is affecting negatively the local labor market. It’s critical that older generations stay economically active for longer. Currently 950 people belonging to the working age population in Setomaa, Ape and Engure regions have not worked in over a year. Many of them are older than 55 and have a weaker position in the labor market due to their age.

To tackle this problem, partners located in Estonia and Latvia decided to join their efforts, to develop a joint approach/action plan based on the real needs of unemployed seniors from cross-border areas.
 
The aim of the project is to create better possibilities to access the local labor market for long-term unemployed seniors aged 55+ from Setomaa, Engure and Ape regions. The objective will be achieved through the implementation of training activities for ca 100 unemployed seniors.

Participants will improve their skills and knowledge according to the real needs of local public and private sector. People with lower motivation and self-confidence will be both mentored and encouraged to participate in support groups.

In this context a People-to-people approach will be used, thus enabling seniors from 3 regions to meet and interact with each other, to learn from each other’s experiences and to develop ideas for the future.

Local municipalities play a key role in this process; they have identified a large group of people aged 55+ with low or no income, but having potential for participation in the local labor market.