The FEP+ Active Legacy Program is an institutional initiative designed to foster sustainable careers in academia by strategically addressing demographic shifts among faculty members. The program pursues three interconnected objectives: (i) to recognize and value the strategic contributions of senior faculty members, (ii) to ensure effective human resource foresight in academic staffing, and (iii) to promote productive sustainability during the final stages of academic careers.


Demographic data indicate that a significant proportion of faculty members are approaching mandatory retirement age. This scenario raises critical challenges, including the risk of losing tacit knowledge and weakening the pedagogical and scientific identity of the institution. At the same time, it highlights the urgent need to develop ad hoc mechanisms for generational transition.


The program integrates several components. First, an annual diagnostic phase, based on surveys (e.g., LLWI) and focus groups, will examine older faculty members' perceptions of current and ideal organizational conditions for career sustainability. Second, systematic input will be collected from Scientific Groups and Autonomous Sections to inform decision-making regarding recruitment and succession planning, particularly short-term retirements and strategic staffing needs. Third, the initiative includes voluntary peer-to-peer mentoring and a career reflection group, animated by international experts affiliated with CA22120 - The European Network to Leverage the Multi-Age Workforce (LeverAge).


Expected output includes a formal certification (Mentor FEP) and the annual People Plan, a forecast report outlining one- and three-year staffing scenarios. Sustainability will be ensured through continuous cycles of review and improvement, supported by engagement from faculty members, adequate resources, and recognition in institutional evaluation processes.


By combining foresight, mentoring, and structured knowledge transfer, the FEP+ Active Legacy Program exemplifies how applied psychology and human resource strategies can be mobilized to sustain academic careers and strengthen organizational identity in the face of demographic transitions.