The dissolution of socialist state planning systems in Eastern and Central Europe and reduction in subsidies, healthcare provision, pensions and private safety nets have disproportionately affected older people. Can the voluntary sector support older people buffeted by economic transition and demographic change? In nations with no tradition of collaboration, how can NGOs and the public sector learn to work together?

A report from HelpAge International plugs gaps in understanding of the needs and concerns of older people in the region. Drawing on the experience of a network of older people’s organisation in 12 countries, it presents regional and country-specific overviews, case studies of innovative NGOs, a directory of older people’s organisations and suggestions for better sharing of good practice to enable the voices of older people to be heard.

A profound ageing process is underway. Whereas in 1990, people over 60 formed around 20 percent of the total population of the region, by 2025 some 40 percent of the population of Estonia and Ukraine will have reached this age. The older generation is primarily female, with many of them living alone. In Ukraine, women over 65 outnumber men by nearly a third.

In the past decade, older people have experienced dramatic collapses in their standard of living. Pension entitlements have been cut, payments delayed and subsidies on food and medicines slashed. In many places, conflict, poverty and migration have substantially disrupted the traditional role of older people in families and communities.

Key findings highlighted by the report include:

• In the Balkans, the sheer numbers of displaced people, the extent of external intervention and the growth of (potentially unsustainable) foreign-funded NGOs (Bosnia Herzegovina has some 1500) have swamped pre-existing voluntary bodies.
• Massive aid to Romania’s voluntary organisations risks creating a dependency culture.
• Antagonism between the public and voluntary sector in Ukraine and Moldova undermines efforts to help older people escape from grinding poverty.
• Democratisation has not necessarily been empowering. The ‘grey vote’ is unfocused. Older people vote out of nostalgia for past certainties and do not assess candidates’ policies on ageing.
• The way that Estonian NGOs have learnt to work with government and traditional organisations and to influence policy is potentially replicable.

Policy-makers tend to see older people as passive recipients of pensions and care. The report argues that older people will not be recognised as actors and have their voices heard without new forms of ‘democracy from below’, advocacy and information dissemination led by networks of community-based organisations. NGOs are urged to:

• complement the current focus on plugging gaps in state provision with greater attention to advocacy
• realise that the contracting out of services previously provided by the state may be financially attractive but can reduce NGO scope to influence policy
• help older people restore livelihoods and regain property lost through conflict.

For their part, governments need to do more to:

• learn about older people’s needs and capacities
• work with older people’s networks to shape policies
• help the voluntary sector to develop new models of care and support
• advertise services available for older people.

Source(s):
‘Making our voices heard: older people and decision-making in East and Central Europe’, HelpAge International by Paul Hinchliff and Bo Priestley, September 2001 Full document.
A generation in transition: Older people's situation and civil society's response in East and Central Europe, HelpAge International 2002 Full document.
'Building a better future: Older people in Serbia', HelpAge International 2001

Funded by: Open Society Institute, the Community Fund and HelpAge International

id21 Research Highlight: 18 October 2002

Further Information:
Paul Hinchliff
HelpAge International
PO Box 32832
London N1 9ZN
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7278 7778
Fax: +44 (0)20 7843 1840
Contact the contributor: phinchliff@helpage.org

HelpAge International

Nijole Arbaciauskiene
Coordinator
East and Central European Network
Elderly Women’s Activity Centre
V. Landsbergio-Zemkalnio 6-37
Kaunas 3042
Lithuania

Contact the contributor: arbanijo@takas.lt

Other related links:
'Pensions for life? The rise of pensions as a development issue' Insights #42

'Including the older poor: challenging assumptions and changing policies on ageing'

'Action against ageism: harnessing the potential of older people for development'

'Living to a ripe old age - healthcare for an ageing population'

'The age of rights? Protecting older people in an ageing world'

See id21's links page on pensions and ageing

Eldis also focuses on Ageing