This GFF-funded international citizen science project, developed and led by Dr Marlene Kritz at the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK, Austria), forms part of the PATH initiative (Promoting Activity, Togetherness & Health)—an international collaboration dedicated to using theory-informed, participatory approaches to develop an inclusive, community-based approaches to promote healthy ageing.

The project evaluates the feasibility of a peer-led mall-walking program for vulnerable older adults in Lower Austria, designed to help participants stay physically active, socially connected, and healthy. Using a Citizen Science approach, older adults are actively involved as co-researchers, contributing to the co-design, development, and implementation of the program to ensure it genuinely reflects their lived experiences, needs, and priorities.

Led by University for Continuing Education Krems, the collaboration brings together complementary expertise from international partners: health psychology and implementation science, health economics, and systems thinking (University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria); sport science and motivation science (University of Southern Denmark); and psychological expertise in supporting vulnerable older adults in community and physical activity settings (Curtin University, Australia).

As one of the first initiatives of its kind in Europe, the project pioneers an innovative community-based, peer-led model for promoting physical activity and social engagement among older adults. Insights from this feasibility study will contribute to the broader PATH vision of developing scalable, citizen-science–driven approaches to healthy ageing that can be adapted and implemented across different communities and countries.