Mgr. Bc. Jiří Peřina
Project Consultant
Midlife Career Chance (Change) - Life Long Learning
The Chance project (Midlife Career Chance/Change – Life Long Learning) responds to the need to support people aged 50+ in career change and entrepreneurship through an open online course (MOOC). The aim is to create a multilingual, practice-oriented course based on research into the needs of the target group, continuously adapted according to feedback, and offering a micro-credential upon completion as proof of competences.
Project Team
Ing. Markéta Akai
Project Manager
Margareta Křížová, MBA
Member of the Expert Team
Ing. Karina Tatek Benetti, Ph.D.
Member of the Expert Team
Working Group Objectives
WP1 – Project Management
This work package focused on the overall management of the project and the coordination of all involved partners. The main tasks included setting up working procedures, ongoing monitoring of activity implementation, and managing financial and administrative processes. Emphasis was placed on effective team communication, regular reporting to the grant provider, and timely resolution of potential challenges to ensure the smooth progress of the entire project.
WP2 – MOOC Development
The aim of this work package is to create content and an e-learning platform: the partners will carry out desk research and surveys among people aged 50+ and, based on the findings, prepare six chapters (e.g. financial planning, marketing, stress & work-life balance) plus a “legal essentials” module for each country. At the same time, online and audiovisual materials will be created and continuous revisions will take place.
WP3 – MOOC Pilot
The course will be piloted in five countries with a target of 70 trained participants per country. The activities include internal training of two mentors per partner, collection of feedback, and a follow-up workshop to adjust the course. A questionnaire survey will then be conducted to finalise improvements to both methodology and content.
WP4 – Dissemination and Exploitation
This work package ensures the communication and dissemination plan, the project website and social media, and coordinates continuous promotion across the partners. It also includes five national workshops and a final international online conference to showcase the results and support their long-term use.
Project Overview
- Applicant – Comenius University in Bratislava
- Partners – NEWTON University, a.s., KIRA n.o., Údarás na Gaeltachta, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Algebra University
- Project ID code – 2024-1-SK01-KA220-ADU-000249488
- Project duration – 01/05/2025 – 30/04/2028
- Budget – EUR 400,000
- Funding source – Erasmus+ Programme, round 1, Key Action KA2, Action type KA220-ADU – Cooperation Partnerships in Adult Education (KA220-ADU)
Professionals aged 50+ represent one of Europe’s most overlooked sources of talent. The CHANCE (Erasmus+) project shows that their motivation to start a business is remarkably high – reaching up to 67% in some countries — yet their entrepreneurial journey is often blocked by administrative, financial, and psychological barriers. The gap between motivation and reality is striking.
Survey data from five European countries reveal sharp contrasts: bureaucracy dominates in Czechia and Slovakia, while access to finance is the biggest hurdle in Croatia and Finland. Digital confidence varies dramatically – from almost no issues in Croatia to major challenges in Czechia and Slovakia. Many respondents also highlight the lack of a support network, mentoring, and community as a significant barrier to getting started.
The “silver economy” is full of highly educated, experienced, and motivated individuals. Unlocking their potential requires structural change: simpler administrative processes, better access to finance, and stronger digital and entrepreneurial support systems.
For those interested in the full analysis, you can read the complete article here.
Funded by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for the views expressed.
