In Tenerifeabout 150,000 people are over 65 years of age. For the Cabildo, meeting their demands supposes “a social commitment.” Based on this, this year it will distribute one million euros, through the free competition system – you must submit an application to qualify for aid – among the hundred existing associations and clubs throughout the island geography. Approximately 40% of this segment of the population spends their leisure time in this type of center. The item will finance activities to promote health (physical and mental) and social integration. Another million euros will endow the initiative in the 2024 financial year.
The acting island president, Peter Martin, explains that with these subsidies it is intended to expand the vital alternatives of these people to remain active and integrated in the community in which they reside. In addition to reinforcing the role of the elderly groups as meeting points and social coexistence.
The Island Corporation, through the Institute of Social and Socio-Health Care (IASS), published the bases and the call for the granting of one million euros per year for 2023 and 2024.
Pedro Martín explains that this contribution, included in the Conecta Mayores initiative, seeks to “strengthen the role of clubs and associations for the elderly” as meeting and coexistence points to help improve the quality of life of this group. The Conecta Mayores insular program promotes actions to facilitate the active participation of this population in Tenerife society.
The call, published yesterday in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (BOP), details that aid will be granted to all clubs and associations for the elderly who submit the application in a timely manner, “with the aim of involving to the greatest number of people possible of the activities that are financed and expand the alternatives available to them to remain active and integrated in the community of residence”.
Promote autonomy
The acting counselor for Social Action and president of the IASS, Marián Franquet, points out that, “with this line of aid, associations will be able to finance workshops or activities that promote autonomy and the maintenance and improvement of the capabilities of the elderly.” In this way it is understood that they will be able to continue living in their usual environment with the highest possible quality of life. Likewise, leisure and free time carried out in an active and therapeutic way will be promoted.
Among the eligible activities there are also computer workshops in order to bring the elderly closer to new technologies and the way in which they can use them in their day to day. In addition to other initiatives that promote culture, avoid social isolation and favor intergenerational relationships. In short, their effective participation in society. Applicant entities must have been registered in the register as a group for at least one year, have more than 25 partners or members and carry out activities in a real and effective way.
A maximum of 6,000 euros
Each club or association may request a maximum aid of 6,000 euros per year. The deadline for submitting applications will remain open from the day after the publication of the call in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz (BOP) until November 15. Both the application model and the bases will be available to interested persons at the IASS headquarters in Santa Cruz and at the electronic headquarters https://IASS.es Procedures and Procedures section, as well as in the eight Citizen Service offices opened throughout the Island by the Island Corporation
In addition, from the Island Office for the Elderly of Tenerife, opened last January in La Laguna, support will be provided to the associations when completing and submitting the application. The office is located at number 19, Bencomo street, in La Laguna, and attends in person, by telephone and electronically, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
