Newsflash – 1 March 2012
European Communication on the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing :
a good step towards the implementation
Following the release of the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) in November 2011, the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP AHA) should now enter its implementation phase.
The Communication issued by the European Commission on 29 February 2012 explains further steps and actions to support the implementation. In its Communication, the European Commission commits to:
- launch a first invitation for stakeholders to commit to specific actions on innovation in active and healthy ageing;
- put in place, as of April 2012, a “marketplace for innovative ideas”, helping stakeholders find partners, share good practices and disseminate evidence;
- align and effectively use EU funding instruments such as the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), the 7th Framework Programme for research, the Health Programme;
- address regulatory and standardization issues, e.g. by supporting the development of a new EU framework for interoperability testing, quality labelling and certification on e-Health, integrated care, independent living and active ageing solutions and platforms.
It is also worth to notice that the Communication makes a clearer link between the EIP AHA and other EU initiatives such as the European Year 2012, the Accessibility Act, the EU 2020 flagship initiatives (especially the Digital Agenda for Europe, Innovation Union, New Skills for New Jobs and the European Platform Against Poverty), the Knowledge Innovation Community supported by the European Institute of Technology, the new strategy on standardisation, etc.
Last but not least, AGE would like to highlight one important element in line with our commitment to the EIP AHA as well as the overarching goal set up for the EY 2012. The European Commission states it will support and facilitate cooperation among stakeholders in undertaking the Plan’s specific action on age-friendly innovative and accessible solutions for cities and regions from mid-2012.
On 3rd April, the European Commission will convey a Conference “European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing: From plan to action” which will be a further opportunity to get involved into the EIP AHA.
For more information: