Abstract

Digital transformation has expanded opportunities not only for economic efficiency but also for generating social value, particularly in the domains of care and community well-being. This paper presents and analyzes a human-centered digital platform designed to address two interconnected challenges: the loneliness and relational isolation of older adults, especially in institutional care settings, and the lack of meaningful, sustained civic engagement opportunities for younger generations. The approach integrates theories of digital ecosystems, social innovation, and service design, resulting in a modular, scalable model for intergenerational interaction. The theoretical framework draws on literature on digital ecosystems, care ethics, and participatory design, emphasizing how technology can act not merely as an efficiency tool but as a facilitator of trust, reciprocity, and co-created value. The platform functions as a modular ecosystem supporting B2B (care institutions), B2C (families), and CSR (corporate volunteering) modes, ensuring interoperability, inclusivity, and usability even in low-tech environments. Core features include automated matching, scheduling, feedback collection, and recognition systems, all aimed at fostering continuity and depth in intergenerational relationships. Pilot findings highlight four main dimensions of value creation. The relational dimension enhances emotional well-being for older adults while fostering empathy and civic responsibility among youth. The operational dimension streamlines coordination within care institutions, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring consistent programming. The educational and civic dimension strengthens young participants’ social skills, sense of responsibility, and long-term civic engagement. Finally, the measurable dimension introduces both qualitative and quantitative indicators to evaluate impact and sustainability, equipping institutions with tools for reporting and evidence-based decision-making. The contribution of this study is twofold: theoretically, it proposes a model of digital ecosystems centered on care and relational value, challenging the transaction-driven logic typical of platform design; practically, it offers a replicable prototype for socio-care institutions that reconciles efficiency with humanity. Key challenges—digital inclusion, data ethics, balancing automation with human connection, and financial sustainability—are acknowledged, calling for participatory design approaches and shared governance. In conclusion, the research demonstrates how digital technologies, when guided by ethical and inclusive principles, can create systemic intergenerational value: strengthening social ties, optimizing organizational workflows, fostering active citizenship, and supporting empirical evaluation of social impact. The platform exemplifies how digital innovation can evolve into a sustainable social ecosystem, capable of addressing demographic and educational challenges through the convergence of technology, care, and community

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