Seniors4Change Focus Groups – Portugal

One of the first steps of our project towards increasing senior engagement through social media and DIYs was to conduct focus groups with seniors in each of the participating countries, in order to truly understand seniors’ perspectives and experiences. A total of 14 focus group discussions were held, involving 91 participants. These discussions highlighted diverse DIY practices among seniors, including food preservation, gardening, crafting, and repair work. While some seniors showed strong engagement with social media, others expressed concerns or lacked access. Take a look at how our Portuguese Focus Groups helped us connect with seniors and understand their needs and reality!

The focus groups in Portugal highlighted a vibrant engagement in traditional DIY activities among seniors, alongside a budding interest in digital platforms for social connection and information sharing. The discussions underscored a latent potential for integrating sustainability into these existing interests. Furthermore, the acknowledgment of social media’s role in the seniors’ daily lives presents an opportunity for climate change advocacy.

In Portugal, the discussions on DIY practices among seniors highlighted a rich diversity of skills but a disconnect from sustainability-focused activities. While traditional crafts like embroidery, home repairs, and sewing are prevalent, integrating sustainability principles remains a challenge. The potential for digital platforms to bridge traditional crafts with sustainability efforts was acknowledged, indicating a path for enhancing seniors’ engagement with eco-friendly practices. However, the absence of a sustainability focus in their activities suggests an area for growth. Seniors are strongly willing to learn and pass on their skills, which could be leveraged to incorporate environmental sustainability into their DIY activities. Bridging this gap offers a chance to benefit the environment and enrich the seniors’ community with sustainable knowledge and practices.

In Portugal, social media plays a crucial role in connecting seniors with their communities and interests, especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This engagement presents an opportunity for targeted sustainability education, as seniors prefer content that aligns with their personal interests. However, scepticism about new platforms and a gap in digital skills, such as video editing, pose challenges. Despite these barriers, there’s potential for social media to mobilise seniors in climate action, suggesting a need for initiatives to enhance their digital literacy and confidence in content creation.

While some seniors in Portugal use social media for learning and communication, there’s a notable disparity in digital literacy and trust in social media. Tailored digital literacy programs could help mitigate these challenges, encouraging seniors to contribute to and engage with climate action dialogues online. The Seniors4Change project aims to help seniors take a step forward in their engagement with social media, through DIY and sustainability-focused content!