Paar-Net

Inspiration and Collaboration: PAAR-Net at the YRI Meeting in San Sebastián
2025-09-02 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | San Sebastian, San Sebastian, Spain
On September 2nd 2025 the beautiful city of San Sebastián hosted an energizing and highly productive meeting of the Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI) of PAAR-Net. The team was hosted by amazing Sara Marsillias and Elena Olariu from Matia Institute.
The event brought together a vibrant group of early-career researchers from across Europe to explore how PAAR-Net can best support their growth and collaboration in the field of participatory approaches with older adults.
Thanks to the outstanding facilitation by Katrin Lehner and Anna Urbaniak participants engaged in deep, thoughtful discussions that led to:

Defining key needs and priorities for YRIs
Mapping opportunities for PAAR-Net to provide meaningful support
Co-developing ideas for future collaborative papers and joint funding proposals.

This meeting was not only a space for strategic thinking but also a celebration of the energy, ideas, and ambition of the next generation of reaearcher and Innovators interested on participatory approaches with older people.
PAAR-Net is excited to continue building on this momentum and looks forward to supporting the initiatives that emerged from this event.

PAAR-Net 2nd International Knowledge Exchange Event: Technology and Innovation Research Beyond Boundaries
2025-04-02 08:00 - 2025-04-03 17:00 | Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
The COST Action CA22167 – PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES WITH OLDER ADULTS (PAAR-Net) is pleased to announce its 2nd International Knowledge Exchange Event, titled “Collaboration in Practice: Technology and Innovation Research Beyond Boundaries.” The event will take place on April 2-3, 2025, at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania.
This two-day event will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and older adult co-creators to explore participatory approaches in aging research, technology, and innovation.
DAY 1 – Research Beyond Boundaries
📅 April 2, 2025 | 📍 Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius
The event will open with a welcome address from representatives of Mykolas Romeris University and PAAR-Net leadership.
The morning will feature Working Group (WG) meetings on key themes:

Health, Care, and Support
Community and Place
Technology and Innovation
Synthesis and Quality Criteria

A Gender Equality in Research session will also take place, focusing on integrating inclusive approaches within participatory aging research.
In the afternoon, a World Café Session will explore multidisciplinary and intergenerational perspectives on technology and innovation, with discussions on:

Health Technologies
Urban Design & Age-Friendly Cities
Generative AI Accessibility
Digital Citizenship
Food, Energy & Green Technologies

The first day will conclude with the Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI) Forum, where participants will share insights from their engagement in Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM), Virtual Mobility (VM), and ITC Conferences. A social dinner will provide further networking opportunities.
DAY 2 – Collaboration in Practice
📅 April 3, 2025 | 📍 Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius
The second day will focus on engaging older adults in technology and innovation research, featuring expert presentations on:

Social policy initiatives for the inclusion of older adults
The role of universities in addressing the needs of aging societies
Spotlight on Older Adults’ Activities, where co-creators will showcase their involvement in research and innovation

An interactive workshop will explore collaborative approaches to engaging younger and older adults in co-designing technology solutions.
The afternoon will feature a Roundtable Discussion with practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, followed by a session on participatory technology projects in aging research. The event will close with a session reflecting on key takeaways and future directions of PAAR-Net.
A Local Knowledge Exchange Event will also take place in Lithuanian, engaging local stakeholders in participatory discussions.
Scientific Organization Committee

Prof. Dr. Jolanta Pivoriene
Prof. Irena Zemaitaityte
Dr. Grazina Rapoliene
Agata Katkoniene
Dr. Seran Demiral
Prof. Rogerio Ribeiro
Dr. Anna Wanka
Dr. hab. Anna Urbaniak

🔗 Full Agenda

PAAR-Net Bridges Generations and Disciplines at International Gathering in Vilnius
2025-03-31 08:00 - 2025-04-03 17:00 | Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
From March 31st to April 3rd, 2025, PAAR-net brought together researchers, practitioners, and community stakeholders in Vilnius, Lithuania, for a dynamic and inspiring week of learning, collaboration, and innovation. Hosted at Mykolas Romeris University, the events marked two major milestones for the network: the 2nd Training School on Participatory Co-Creation Methods and the II. International Knowledge Exchange Event (IKEE).
Training School: Participatory Co-Creation in Action
Over three days, early-career researchers and professionals participated in an intensive Training School focused on participatory approaches with older adults. Sessions covered topics from co-design in cognitive health to citizen science, digital literacy, and ethical frameworks for working with vulnerable groups. Led by experts the school emphasized hands-on learning and reflection on inclusive research practices.
Highlights included:

Case-based exercises on building participatory action.
Insights into intergenerational climate action and digital empowerment.
Interactive training on tools developed through initiatives like AFECO and DigitalScouts.

International Knowledge Exchange Event: Research Beyond Boundaries
The IKEE, held on April 2–3, expanded on the themes of the Training School with a rich program of keynote talks, World Café sessions, and stakeholder panels. Under the theme “Collaboration in Practice: Technology and Innovation Research Beyond Boundaries,” participants explored how older adults can be engaged as co-creators and active agents in research and innovation.
Key moments included:

World Cafe discussions on topics such as urban design, AI accessibility, and digital citizenship.
The Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI) Forum, showcasing mobility experiences within PAAR-net.
Panels featuring researchers, policymakers, and community leaders on engaging older adults in policy and design processes.

Special thanks were extended to the organizing team at Mykolas Romeris University for their warm welcome and exceptional hosting.
Hybrid and Inclusive
Both events embraced a hybrid format, allowing for broad participation across Europe and beyond. PAAR-net’s commitment to inclusivity was further demonstrated in sessions addressing gender equality, local knowledge exchange (in Lithuanian), and community-driven innovation.
The week in Vilnius reinforced PAAR-net’s mission: to foster participatory, interdisciplinary, and transnational collaboration that amplifies the voices of older adults and creates meaningful, sustainable social impact.

PAAR-Net Hosts First International Knowledge Exchange Event on Cultural Disadvantage, Age-Friendly Cities, and Social Inclusion
2024-09-05 08:00 - 2024-09-06 17:00
On 6 September 2024, PAAR-Net successfully held its first International Knowledge Exchange Event at Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, with hybrid participation via Zoom. The event, hosted by Working Group 2, brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and older co-creators to exchange insights on three core themes: cultural disadvantage, age-friendly cities and communities, and social inclusion—all explored through the lens of participatory approaches with older adults.

The session began with opening remarks by Dr Anna Urbaniak, Chair of PAAR-net, and Dr Anna Wanka, Vice Chair, who provided an overview of the Action’s goals. Prof. Sabine Andresen, Vice-Rector of Goethe University, welcomed participants, highlighting the university’s 110th anniversary and its commitment to public participation in research.

A powerful intervention from Halina Figon, representing the Older Co-creators Forum and the Elders Council of Newcastle (UK), emphasized the importance of advocacy and visibility for older adults, and the role of lived experience in shaping inclusive innovation.

Key Highlights from the Thematic Sessions:
🔹 Cultural Disadvantage
Speakers Claudio Bolzman (National Swiss Forum on Aging and Migration) and Charles Waldegrave (Family Centre, New Zealand) shed light on the structural and epistemic exclusion of older migrants and indigenous elders. From the concept of the “exhausted migrant effect” to culturally specific well-being indicators for Māori elders, this session challenged mainstream approaches to inclusion.

🔹 Age-Friendly Cities and Communities
Willeke van Staalduinen (AFEdemy, Netherlands) and Christa Möller-Metzger (European Green Seniors, Germany) presented inspiring examples of local-level co-creation and diagnostics for building age-friendly environments. They also shared lessons on how language and framing influence participation and impact.

🔹 Social Inclusion
Damien Vanneste (Catholic University of Lille) and Wouter de Tavernier (OECD) examined inclusive urban planning and the gaps in policy evaluation methods. Their insights stressed the importance of lived experience and the role of local networks in shaping responsive, inclusive policies.

Across all sessions, discussions underscored the necessity of recognizing experiential knowledge, bridging local and global scales, and redefining inclusion through participatory research. The event served as a platform to build connections and deepen cross-sectoral dialogue among COST Action members and external stakeholders alike.

This milestone event not only showcased PAAR-Net’s commitment to transformative ageing research but also marked a step forward in co-creating knowledge with older adults across Europe and beyond.

PAAR-Net members at the Opening Conference and MC Meeting
2024-04-16 08:00 - 2024-04-17 17:00
PAAR-Net Advances Collaborative Research in Ageing Societies with Successful Management Committee Meeting and Opening Conference
Kraków, April 18, 2024 – PAAR-Net, an innovative initiative dedicated to participatory research involving older adults, celebrates a significant achievement following the successful conclusion of its Management Committee Meeting and Opening Conference on April 16th and 17th, 2024.
Conducted both physically in Kraków and virtually online, the event catalyzed pioneering new approaches in research involving older adults. Participants from Europe and around the world engaged in lively discussions and insightful exchanges, collectively shaping the future landscape of research and policymaking.
Day 1: Active Engagement
The event commenced with a variety of activities designed to foster engagement among attendees. The Young Researchers and Innovators Forum provided a platform for stimulating discussions, while the Older Co-creators Forum facilitated insightful exchanges, highlighting the valuable input of older adults. Throughout the day, exclusive sessions including the PAAR-Net Management Committee Meeting and specialized Working Group Meetings explored key issues, encouraging in-depth dialogue and collaboration.
Day 2: Enlightening Sessions
The energy persisted on the second day with the Opening Conference, which showcased a series of insightful sessions. The Health , Care and Support segment showcased innovative practices in collaborative research, while the Place and Community Session examined various participatory approaches in community settings worldwide. The Technology and Innovation Session emphasized the transformative role of technology created with participatory approaches in improving the lives of older adults, while the Knowledge Synthesis and Brainstorming Session offered valuable insights into ongoing research initiatives.
A Meaningful Conclusion
The conference concluded with a thoughtful reflection by the chairs of PAAR-Net, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in advancing inclusive research and policymaking with older adults. Their closing remarks encapsulated the spirit of cooperation and innovation that defines PAAR-Net’s mission.
Looking Ahead
This significant event marks a new phase in participatory research, as PAAR-Net continues to lead the way in promoting inclusive social innovation within ageing societies. With a dedication to collaboration and inclusivity, PAAR-Net eagerly anticipates further progress in its pioneering initiative.

Management Committee Meeting
2023-10-20 08:00 - 17:00
The inaugural Management Committee Meeting of the COST Action CA22167 – Participatory Approaches with Older Adults (PAAR-net) convened at the COST premises in Brussels on October 20th, 2023. Gathered under the banner of PAAR-net, a network of researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and older adults convened to chart a course for inclusive society by advancing participatory methodologies in research, policy and practice regarding issues surrounding ageing and older adults.

Important decisions were taken at the meeting, including election of leadership positions, structuring of action groups, and delineation of decision-making protocols. In addition to essential administrative matters, the management committee engaged in robust discussions encompassing the formulation of work plans, budget allocations, and strategies for effective engagement with Working Groups (WGs).

The meeting fostered an environment of camaraderie and mutual respect, exemplified by the exchange of ideas during the COST Action Café and subsequent debriefing sessions. Participants seized the opportunity to share insights, best practices, and aspirations, setting a solid foundation for future endeavors.
