Kick-off meeting of the StratAGEic project in Brussels

AGE Platform Europe hosted the two-day kick-off meeting of StratAGEic — “The Power of Strategic Litigation to Tackle Age Discrimination in Older Age,” bringing together partner organizations from six countries to launch an ambitious EU-funded collaboration to combat ageist discrimination across Europe, through strategic litigation, capacity-building, and coordinated advocacy. Cyprus is represented by the Cyprus Third Age Observatory.

During the meeting in Brussels, the partners aligned objectives, workflows, risk and quality management, as well as an engagement plan that will empower civil society to use the law as a lever for systemic change. The agenda included introductory sessions on strategic litigation, and detailed planning across work packages.

The Observatory’s Executive Chair, Demos Antoniou, stated: “With StratAGEic, we are building the expertise, partnerships, and practical tools needed to challenge age discrimination in the courts and in public policy. This kick-off meeting sets a strong, inclusive foundation for accessible participation and meaningful impact across the EU.”

In turn, the Organization’s Senior Officer and Psychologist, Antrea Pelasella, emphasized that “Strategic litigation and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights are powerful yet underused tools for older people’s rights. Our joint program focuses on concrete skills, peer learning, and handling real cases so that knowledge turns into action.”

With the project underway, the Cyprus Third Age Observatory will, in the immediate period ahead, undertake a series of actions including interviews and online focus groups to identify key themes; mapping national and European stakeholders, including law firms providing pro bono services; and setting the framework for trainings and peer-learning workshops.