The STAGE platform: user engagement of older people through co-design and extended access to streamed cultural events

This paper illustrates the aim, concept and scope of the STAGE project as a complementary way of exploiting leisure. This is achieved through accessing cultural events for the benefit of older users in addition to the standard direct participation. Older users could not always avail such events within reach, due to several reasons - mobility and family problem, lacking infrastructure and transportation, affordability. Accessing cultural events via streaming is not an alternative or substitute of direct participation, but it is an additional way of attending that extends the audience, the range of selectable events - also internationally - and the participation options through time. Platform development was carried out with a significant and supportive user engagement of older people through the co-design methodology.