The ETXELAGUN I project presents its results at the HARIAK-KORALE 2026 event, held on 26 March in Donostia/San Sebastián. The initiative, focused on improving well-being and reducing unwanted loneliness among older adults, has created new opportunities for support and the activation of local networks across several municipalities in Gipuzkoa.
A Person-Centred Care Model
Since its inception, ETXELAGUN I has combined social innovation, personalised care, and community participation. It takes a multidisciplinary and inter-institutional approach, aiming to design the first Etxelagun residence, intended to support longevity and prevent or mitigate the risk of loneliness for its residents. The residence is designed to foster a fulfilling life, enhance autonomy, encourage active enjoyment of the home environment, and integrate digital technologies. The first residence will be built in Beasain.
Over the years, the initiative has collaborated with professionals, volunteers, and local organisations to create more robust and accessible care ecosystems.
Sharing Knowledge at HARIAK-KORALE
The HARIAK-KORALE 2026 event brought together representatives from the 12 projects funded through the ADINBERRI-HARIAK call, which together have impacted nearly 14,000 people across 19 municipalities in Gipuzkoa. During the event, ETXELAGUN I shared its learnings and methodologies, while other leading projects, such as KALELAGUN, served as European examples due to their scalability and best practices in preventing unwanted loneliness.
The KALELAGUN project has an architectural, urban, and interdisciplinary focus. It is centred on the design of high-quality outdoor meeting spaces (squares, streets, parks, etc.) that encourage active enjoyment of the immediate environment. The initiative aims to strengthen social connections, promote physical activity, and integrate digital technologies to enhance interaction in urban spaces. Additionally, it seeks to study in detail the social, architectural, and urban aspects of these meeting environments in Gipuzkoa, in order to create a replicable model that contributes to reducing unwanted loneliness.
