By Elena Curtopassi & Jonas Bernitt
💡 October 2025 has been an inspiring month for the SACRED Project, marked by two important European events focused on ageing, care, and community engagement — in Vicenza and Brussels. Both occasions offered valuable opportunities to exchange experiences, present the SACRED findings, and strengthen partnerships across countries and disciplines.
4th of October | SACRED at the 3rd European Festival of Volunteering – Vicenza
On 4 October 2025, SACRED participated in the 3rd European Festival of Volunteering: “Embracing Imperfection”, held at the Loggia del Capitaniato in Vicenza, Italy.
The festival was organised by CSV Vicenza in collaboration with the Office of the Veneto Region in Brussels as part of the 25th edition of Azioni Solidali Vicentine.
This year’s theme, “Embracing Imperfection,” celebrated the beauty and strength found in human diversity. The event highlighted how accepting imperfection can strengthen social connections, encourage solidarity, and enrich volunteering practices across Europe.
SACRED’s participation reflected its vision of human-centered care — recognising that compassion, understanding, and collaboration are key elements in supporting older adults and those living with dementia. The project’s values of inclusion, empathy, and shared responsibility align closely with the spirit of European volunteering and social engagement. A recording of the festival can be found on YouTube.
21st of October | SACRED as an inspirational model – Study visit in Brussels
Just a few weeks later, on 21 October 2025, the Unione Provinciale Istituzioni per l’Assistenza (UPIPA) of Trento organised a study visit and training session at the Brussels Office of the Autonomous Province of Trento.
Participants were welcomed by Katharina Leonardi, Head of Office, and Vesna Caminades, Head of the Liaison Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano–South Tyrol.
The study visit gathered professionals, regional authorities, and care providers to explore and compare how social and healthcare services for older adults are organised and delivered in Belgium.
During the session, Julie Vanderlinden, healthcare researcher and lecturer in nursing and psychosocial gerontology at Odisee University of Applied Sciences and KU Leuven, presented insights from the SACRED Project’s Needs Analysis.
Her presentation focused on needs assessment for older adults living with dementia and multimorbidity, showing how integrated care approaches can better address complex health needs — improving quality of life, satisfaction, and adherence to care plans.
Among the attendees were representatives from:
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The Flemish Ministry for Public Health,
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The Flemish Centre of Competence for Flanders,
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Zorgnet-Icuro, the umbrella organisation representing hospitals, mental health services, and residential care structures,
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and key figures such as Fabian Dominguez (Counsellor – Social Affairs and Public Health, Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU), Anne Van Der Gucht (Policy Coordinator – Flemish Government, Elderly Care Policy Team), Tom Vermeire (Head of Elderly Care Department – Flemish Government), and Jurn Verschraegen (Director – Expertisecentrum Dementie Vlaanderen vzw).
A month of connection and inspiration
Both events — in Vicenza and Brussels — demonstrated SACRED’s growing presence at the crossroads of research, practice, and policy. Through its engagement with experts, policymakers, and communities, SACRED continues to advocate for a Europe that values active ageing, dignity, and inclusion.
Stay tuned!
For more information about SACRED in general, you can keep on exploring our website, or have a look at our second newsletter that was published in July 2025.
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