On October 29, 2025, the town of Malahide, in Fingal (Ireland), hosted the fourth stop of KORALE’s interregional journey under the theme: “From loneliness to inclusion: a collaborative approach.” This European gathering is part of a series of six meetings that bring together partners, policymakers, and professionals from across Europe to exchange best practices, explore innovative strategies, and strengthen collective efforts against loneliness and social isolation.
During the event, local interventions from all partners were presented, connections were fostered within a growing community of practice, and discussions focused on how to adapt successful approaches to different cities. The involvement of local actors and older people ensures that lived experience directly informs both policy and practice.
Led by the ADINBERRI Foundation in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, KORALE is steadily progressing toward its goal: the creation of a European Public Policy Guide to Prevent Loneliness. Launched in April 2024 and scheduled to run until 2028, the project brings together six European regions in a joint effort to address loneliness through a collaborative and innovative lens. INICIATIVAS INNOVADORAS supports the project’s financial and administrative management.
Four European Best Practices
During the Fingal meeting, partner regions showcased their active initiatives to combat loneliness and social isolation, presenting a wide range of approaches—from community innovation to integrated public service interventions:
- Portugal: Proximity Policing Project – close collaboration between police and social services to support older adults living alone.
- Ireland: Fingal Men’s Shed Network and Active Age for All – social inclusion through intergenerational activities and active aging programs.
- Belgium: Seniors shaping the present for the future – political and social participation of older adults in local policy design.
- Denmark: More Together – a multisectoral intervention combining community action, healthcare, and social support.
Gipuzkoa Presents the ‘Maitaro’ Initiative
The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the ADINBERRI Foundation presented one of the most innovative experiences in the fight against unwanted loneliness: the ‘Maitaro’ project. Funded by ADINBERRI and led by the Gipuzkoa Hope Line, in collaboration with Osakidetza, the project focuses on building and evaluating an intergenerational support system for hospitalized individuals in the Convalescence Unit of Donostia University Hospital (HUD) and their surroundings.
‘Maitaro’ aims to detect and address the emotional and social needs of hospitalized individuals and their caregivers through a system that combines in-person support, telephone assistance, and an innovative community-based methodology. One of its most notable features is its transferability, thanks to a systematized methodology that allows adaptation to other contexts. Key success factors include the humanization of hospital care, collaboration between social and health agents, active involvement of young volunteers, and an intergenerational approach.
