For more than three years, I have had the privilege of participating in the European Network on Intercultural Elderly Care (ENIEC) as a staff member working on digital inclusion and diversity within the local service centres of the City of Ghent, Belgium.
One of the greatest strengths of this network is the opportunity to learn from colleagues across Europe who are facing similar challenges, often in different contexts and with different approaches. Through meetings, newsletters, and informal exchanges, ENIEC creates a space where ideas can travel across borders and inspire new ways of working.
A recent example reminded me once again of the value of this international exchange. In the May edition of the ENIEC newsletter, I read an article by Marja Säikkä about the “Native-Language Digital Buddy” model developed in Helsinki. The initiative aims to support older adults with diverse linguistic backgrounds in strengthening their digital skills through a combination of professional guidance and volunteer support in their native language.
The article immediately caught my attention because it addressed several challenges we also encounter in Ghent. The focus on language accessibility, confidence-building, peer learning, and social inclusion strongly resonated with our own challenges to make digital participation more accessible for older adults, also the elderly with a migrant background. The City of Helsinki’s model offers valuable inspiration and demonstrates how digital inclusion can be strengthened through culturally and linguistically sensitive approaches.
What makes this approach especially powerful is its recognition that language can be both a barrier and a bridge. By offering digital support in participants’ native languages, the program creates a more accessible and welcoming learning environment. This not only facilitates the acquisition of digital skills but also strengthens participants’ confidence and willingness to engage with digital technologies.
Inspired by the article, I reached out to Marja to learn more about the project. On the 15 of June, we had the opportunity to meet online and exchange experiences and information. Our conversation provided valuable insights into the development and implementation of the initiative and allows us in Ghent to reflect on how we could try to develop this in our city.
What started as reading an article in a newsletter evolved into a meaningful professional exchange. This is exactly what makes networks such as ENIEC so important and inspiring. In a rapidly changing society, where issues such as digital inclusion, migration, ageing, and social participation are increasingly interconnected, no city has all the answers. By learning from one another, we can accelerate innovation and avoid having to reinvent solutions that already exist elsewhere.
