ShareAmi, intergenerational language exchanges through videoconferences

Ferran Benito on 15 May 2024

Language exchange program through videoconferences between elderly people and young individuals living outside their country

During the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many elderly people found themselves isolated, while young refugees lost the opportunity to attend language meetings and classes that would facilitate their social integration and the learning of the host country’s language.

To address these two issues, the organization Oldyssey launched the ShareAmi project, a program that allows intergenerational language exchanges through videoconferences. On one hand, it helps young refugees better integrate into the new territory, and on the other, it combats the feeling of unwanted loneliness experienced by many elderly people. Additionally, the use of this tool also allows elderly people to improve their relationship with technology and, at the same time, reinforce their sense of usefulness in society.

ShareAmi operates through a volunteer system, in which volunteers contact both parties interested in the exchange and act as intermediaries. The meetings last for three months and are held weekly. To ensure follow-up, the mediator receives monthly feedback on the sessions. Once the scheduled time has passed, participants can decide whether to continue the video calls or end the exchange.

Characteristics of innovation

User empowerment, Adolescence and youth, Aging, Immigration, Link with the community, New service

Localization

França

Partners / Funders

Carsat (Social Security), Assurance Retraite (Retirement Social Security) Île-de-France, AG2R La Mondiale, Red Cross, Rotary, Malakoff Humanis, Make sense, Viva Lab, Deutsch-Französischer Bürgerfonds, The Conference of Funders, Seine Saint Denis, France Bénévolat, Après Demain (…)

Genesis

ShareAmi was born in May 2020, during the first lockdown, to address the feeling of loneliness and isolation among elderly people, as well as the need and desire to learn French by students and refugees outside their country..

Level of implementation

According to the latest data from 2023, ShareAmi has recorded a total of more than 2,000 language exchange pairs with over 32 volunteers. Additionally, learners from more than 120 different countries have registered.

More information

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Kloosiv, technology and social intervention to ensure social inclusion in access to housing

Ferran Benito on 8 May 2024

Web platform that promotes social inclusion in housing to combat speculation and unwanted loneliness

Kloosiv is a cooperative web platform that combines technology and social intervention to facilitate access to housing for vulnerable groups struggling to pay rent. Its audience ranges from young people to single-parent families or elderly individuals living alone. The tool includes real information on the supply and demand of real estate in participating municipalities and offers more affordable rental prices compared to the market. The goal is to create a network that connects different stakeholders and, through artificial intelligence, optimizes resources and data to better meet their needs.

The initiative focuses on social and healthcare attention, well-being, home security, and conflict mediation. Kloosiv diagnoses the situation and specificities of both tenants and landlords. Professionals accompany individuals throughout the process and supervise each case personally.

Users’ circumstances vary. A common profile among Kloosiv users is elderly individuals experiencing unwanted loneliness who are looking for someone to safely share their apartment. There are also cases of young people who cannot afford to rent an apartment alone and are interested in accompanying someone living alone. In this sense, Kloosiv includes different types of cohabitation and provides professionals with regular monitoring to ensure residents’ comfort.

Additionally, the technological platform allows processing data and combining it with indicators of health, physical well-being, and emotional well-being to evaluate the program’s impact on users’ lives. Kloosiv also pays special attention to the homeless population and aligns with the Housing First methodology, prioritizing access to housing for these individuals.