VOLONTÉ UNITAS Launches the Project Umíme aktivně stárnout: Support for Employed Women Aged 50+

Since 1 July 2026, VOLONTÉ UNITAS, z.ú. has been implementing the project Umíme aktivně stárnout (working translation: We Know How to Age Actively). The project runs for 24 months, until 30 June 2028. Its aim is to strengthen the position of employed women aged 50+ in the labour market and to support their professional and personal development. The programme builds on the experience these women already have and on where they themselves want to take their careers.

Who the project is for

Women aged 50 and over who are employed can join the project, that is, women in an employment or similar relationship, or in a service relationship, with an organisation. Participation is confirmed by a confirmation from the employer and verification of age.

How the programme works

Each participant begins with an initial assessment that helps her identify what motivates her, which working style suits her, and what her current professional potential is. Testing is an option, not an obligation, and there are no wrong answers. If a participant prefers not to take the tests, an entry questionnaire is used instead. The assessment leads to an individual development plan (IDP) with specific goals, which takes into account the participant's work and family situation.

Participants choose from the range of activities according to their own needs. There is no requirement to complete everything. Work takes place in groups and individually, with an emphasis on practice and on revisiting what has been covered. We plan meetings on an ongoing basis, usually at least once every 14 days, and counselling is also available online.

What we offer

• Career assessment and IDP – finding out what suits me and what to prioritise, a personal career map and an individual development plan. At the end of the programme, we offer interested participants an evaluation of their IDP progress, help with their CV and help with finding job opportunities.

• Practical use of AI and digitalisation – a series of modules on technology and change in the workplace, digital confidence and learning from mistakes, digital tools in everyday work, digital communication and collaboration, and the safe use of technology. Six modules totalling 18 hours, with practical exercises and individual counselling.

• Health – workshops focused on mental wellbeing, psychological self-care and stress management in working and personal life, for example The Strength of Inner Calm in a Tense Environment or Communication Under Pressure. The offer also includes the Health 50+ programme on changes in women's health after the ages of 50 and 60, prevention and maintaining mental balance, first aid courses and, to a limited extent, individual coaching for topics that are better not discussed in a group.

• Soft skills courses – strengthening mental wellbeing, adapting to change, communication, work-life balance and career planning. The offer includes the Professional Seniority programme (16 hours), delivered by accredited trainers from Age Management z.s. Brno. A certificate is issued after a final test.

• Employment law counselling and workshops – types of employment contracts, flexible forms of employment, equal treatment and equal pay, addressing discrimination in the workplace including age discrimination, and the rights of working women aged 50+. Other topics include family relationships (division of property, wills, inheritance, gifts), contractual relationships, health and social security, and housing. The workshops are followed by individual consultations with a lawyer.

• Financial counselling and Finance 50+ workshops – financial planning for later life, orientation in the pension system, combining a pension with work, the advantages and risks of early retirement, and financial products for later-life security. Where needed, we also offer counselling on resolving debt situations.

• Sharing experience – informal meetings with employed women aged 70+ who are still professionally active, on the meaning of work, its value to society and satisfaction from work.

Learning that stays available

We will gradually make the outputs of the project available on a unified UNITAS/VOLONTÉ online portal. It will offer self-study materials, short videos, checklists and answers to frequently asked questions, and it will be possible to send a question to an adviser. The content will remain available after the project ends. The project also includes a sustainability strategic plan, which is intended to ensure that educational and support activities continue for other women aged 50+ for at least two years after the project ends.

Joining the project

Participation is free of charge for participants. The exact form of courses, seminars and counselling is specified according to the needs and requests of individual participants, through an individual or group approach. For some activities it is possible to obtain a certificate, which can be used to document training that is often required in the course of a profession. When joining, a participant signs a monitoring sheet that includes consent to the processing of personal data.

Interested or have questions?

We will be happy to answer them:

Ing. Zuzana Bejó, Executive Director for Project Activities, e-mail: zuzana.bejo@volonte.cz, tel.: 602 668 684

Ing. Dana Gřešek, Project Manager, e-mail: dana.gresek@volonte.cz, tel.: 606 214 495General contact: info@volonte.cz, tel.: 223 550 060, www.volonte.cz

The project Umíme aktivně stárnout (reg. no. CZ.03.01.02/00/25_088/0006904) is implemented through the Operational Programme Employment Plus, co-financed by the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic. The project is co-funded by the European Union.