The second pilot training organized by CDER within the ITOSA project took place on March 2025 at the Senior Club in Paracin. Sixteen seniors and two facilitators gathered to explore the World Café and Collaborative Writing method. The aim was to encourage open conversations in small groups, stimulate creativity, and co-create written outputs that capture the collective knowledge and perspectives of participants.
The workshop was designed as a dynamic café-like environment. Participants sat in small groups, creating an atmosphere of informality and openness. Each table focused on a different topic relevant to seniors’ everyday lives – such as healthy living, intergenerational exchange, or using digital tools.
Every 20 minutes, the groups rotated, allowing participants to join new conversations and build upon the ideas already written down by others. This continuous flow of people and thoughts created a unique sense of collective brainstorming. “I never thought I could contribute so much in such a short time,” one senior said with a smile.
After several rounds, the facilitators collected the notes and guided the group in a collaborative writing exercise. Together, they summarized the discussions into short, clear texts that reflected the shared opinions and creative solutions of the whole group. The seniors were enthusiastic to see their voices transformed into a written document – something they could later share with friends at the Club.
The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter, curiosity, and moments of surprise. Many seniors noted how inspiring it was to listen to others’ perspectives and how quickly new ideas could emerge in a collective setting. “It felt like writing a story together,” one participant reflected.
Feedback forms confirmed this impression: participants rated the workshop as highly engaging, useful, and enjoyable. Several mentioned that they felt more empowered to share their thoughts in writing and collaborate with peers.
The results of the workshop will be integrated into the activities of the Senior Club, where seniors plan to hold similar “mini World Café sessions” once a month. By continuing to practice this method, the seniors aim to strengthen both their communication skills and their sense of belonging to a supportive community.