Despite societal stereotypes that often link aging with isolation and passivity, Moldovan seniors are actively challenging these perceptions, embracing their later years with dignity and sustained engagement. A compelling example is the village of Cobîlea, Șoldănești district, where the “Chrysanthemums” senior group is redefining the concept of active aging.

Within the project “Enhancing the Social Inclusion of Older Persons, Including Refugees from Ukraine, Through Participation in Active Ageing Programmes,” these seniors have created a comprehensive and diversified program that harmoniously blends creative, cultural, educational, and social activities.

The program includes a variety of creative workshops where seniors showcase their manual skills, crafting toys, “mărțișoare” (traditional Romanian spring amulets), embroidered items, textiles, and Easter decorations. These activities not only stimulate creativity but also contribute to the development of fine motor skills, attention, and memory.

Beyond creative pursuits, seniors actively engage in literary-musical evenings, financial literacy sessions, and digital training, ensuring they remain connected and informed in the modern world. Social gatherings and sessions with a psychologist have provided a safe and friendly environment to share experiences, receive emotional support, and build strong intergenerational relationships.

A balanced focus on physical and mental health is achieved through sports exercises and cognitive stimulation activities, which are integral to the program’s goal of promoting active and healthy aging.

One of the most moving and useful activities recently conducted is the soft toy making workshop, where seniors worked with textiles, needles, thread, and other accessories to create personalized toys. The toys were subsequently donated to children at the “Little Red Riding Hood” kindergarten in the locality.

Antonina Iațco, a member of the “Chrysanthemums” senior group, testifies: “It was a very interesting activity, a warm and friendly atmosphere. In general, whenever we meet, we are all friendly, and whereas before we would meet on the road, greet each other, and then go on our way, now we stay, we talk, we can even get home later. We have become friends, we are very happy.”

The workshop coordinator emphasized the positive impact on the participants: “The workshop had not only a positive impact on our beautiful ladies. I believe that during the toy crocheting workshop, they acquired skills and abilities, developed personally, and became more self-confident. They feel that they are needed by society, that society needs them.”

This activity has an important role socially and therapeutically: through sewing, cutting, and assembling, participants develop and maintain fine motor skills, attention to detail, hand-eye coordination, and patience. Also, working with different textures and the creative process contributes to stress reduction and cognitive stimulation. At the same time, the thought that these toys will bring smiles to children’s faces adds a strong emotional motivation, which gives seniors a sense of usefulness and belonging to the community.

The mayor of Cobîlea village, Șoldănești, Angela Ababii, also acknowledged the importance of this project for the locality. “The village has become more alive, the Community Center itself seems to have come to life; the people involved in this project have given life to this Center. Now, we also have a gym, where we have planned activities within the project.”

The initiative represents a joint effort to enhance social inclusion among older persons from both refugee and host communities through active ageing opportunities at the local level. These efforts are made possible through the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova and Moldcell Foundation, implemented by Casmed, with financial assistance from the Government of Great Britain.