Tallinn University Haapsalu College in cooperation with Vidzeme University launches an international project to support the labour market participation of adults aged 60+
Tallinn University Haapsalu College has launched the international project RiseUp in cooperation with Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the project is to develop a labour market-oriented training programme for adults aged 60 and above. The project focuses on supporting older adults’ digital skills, career planning skills, health literacy and ability to cope with the changing demands of working life.
The project kick-off meeting took place on 17 June 2026 in the seminar room of Hestia Hotel in Pärnu. Tallinn University Haapsalu College was represented by Project Manager Kadi Paaliste and Project Assistant Tiina Alasoo. The Latvian partner, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, was represented by Elīna Rubule and Linda Krūmiņa from the field of lifelong learning. In addition, Frida Höjvall from the Interreg Central Baltic Secretariat also participated.
The RiseUp project addresses a shared challenge in Estonia and Latvia: population ageing and the risk that adults aged 60+ may become excluded from the labour market due to changing labour market requirements, limited digital skills, health-related barriers or a lack of confidence. This challenge is particularly visible in rural areas, including Western Estonia and Vidzeme, where access to flexible learning opportunities that meet the needs of the target group may be limited.
During the project, the partners will develop a bilingual training programme with learning materials. The programme is designed for adults aged 60+ who wish to strengthen their labour market competitiveness, adapt to the requirements of modern working life or explore new opportunities for labour market participation. The training will be developed for two target groups: employed adults aged 60+ who need support in adapting to changing working conditions, and adults aged 60+ who are currently outside the labour market or interested in returning to work.
The training programme will focus on four main areas: digital literacy and online safety, career planning, health literacy, and support for mental and physical work ability. In the first phase, the partners will analyse the needs of the target group and the labour market, and use the results to develop a practical and evidence-based training model. The preparation and piloting of the training programme will begin in autumn 2026.
The RiseUp project will run for 18 months, from June 2026 to November 2027. As a result of the project, an Estonian-Latvian training programme will be developed and piloted in both countries. In addition, the project will produce learning materials and an evaluation-based updated training model that can later be used by other educational institutions, municipalities and non-governmental organisations.
The lead partner of the project is Tallinn University Haapsalu College, and the project partner is Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027. The total budget of the project is 213,042 euros.
