ODYSSEY

ODYSSEY – Orientation, Development, Yield, Stability, Security & Empowerment for Your Financial

Coordinator: Regionalne Centrum Wolontariatu (Poland)
Partner: Institute for Cultural Relations Policy (ICRP), Hungary

 

About the project

ODYSSEY is an Erasmus+ project designed to strengthen the financial and digital resilience of older adults aged 60+ in Poland and Hungary. As digital banking, online shopping and electronic public services become part of everyday life, many seniors face growing risks of fraud, manipulation and financial abuse. At the same time, fear of technology often discourages them from taking advantage of services that could improve their quality of life.

The project addresses these challenges by combining practical financial education, digital literacy and fraud prevention. Beyond online scams, ODYSSEY also focuses on common forms of offline manipulation, such as misleading sales practices and fraudulent marketing targeting older people.

Through accessible educational resources, local workshops and awareness-raising activities, the project aims to help seniors become more confident, independent and active members of their communities.

Objectives

The project aims to:

• improve the financial and digital competences of people aged 60+;
• help seniors recognise and avoid online and offline fraud;
• reduce fear of using digital technologies and online banking;
• promote safe financial decision-making and responsible use of digital services;
• strengthen active ageing and social participation;
• support organisations working with older adults through practical educational resources;
• encourage intergenerational solidarity and community engagement.

Main activities

During the 12-month project, the partners will implement several complementary activities in both Poland and Hungary:

Educational platform

An easy-to-use online learning platform will provide practical courses on:

• digital safety,
• secure online banking,
• personal budgeting,
• recognising fraud,
• scam simulations based on real-life situations,
• modern financial management.

The platform will be designed specifically for older users, featuring a simple interface and accessible learning materials.

Local workshops

Twenty interactive workshops (10 in Poland and 10 in Hungary) will be organised for seniors, providing hands-on training in:

• identifying fraudulent schemes,
• protecting personal and financial data,
• safe use of digital technologies,
• recognising manipulation in both online and physical environments,
• practical financial literacy.

The workshops are expected to reach approximately 300 participants.

Awareness campaign

The project will produce bilingual educational materials, including printed mini-guides and online awareness resources, helping older adults recognise scams and know how to respond safely. These materials will also reach seniors with limited internet access.

Final conferences

Two public conferences—one in Kielce (Poland) and one in Budapest (Hungary)—will bring together seniors, educators, local authorities, civil society organisations and media representatives to present the project’s results and promote good practices in financial and digital safety for older adults.

 

As the Hungarian project partner, the Institute for Cultural Relations Policy contributes its expertise in adult education, digital literacy and international project development. The ICRP is responsible for supporting the development of educational content, contributing to the creation of interactive learning materials and scam simulations, organising local workshops and the final conference in Hungary, and participating in the dissemination of project results at both national and international level. Through its experience in Erasmus+ projects and non-formal education, ICRP also supports the development of innovative learning methods tailored to the needs of older learners.

Expected impact

By the end of the project, ODYSSEY will have:

• increased the financial and digital confidence of older adults;
• reduced seniors’ vulnerability to fraud and financial manipulation;
• provided sustainable educational resources that remain freely available after the project;
• strengthened the capacity of organisations supporting older people;
• promoted active ageing, lifelong learning and stronger community participation.

Ultimately, the project seeks to empower seniors to participate safely and confidently in an increasingly digital society while maintaining their independence and financial security.

 

Files and links

• ODYSSEY methodology (in Hungarian)
• ODYSSEY website
• Video series ODYSSEY – Being safe in a digital world
• Video series ODYSSEY – Biztonságban a digitális világban