Over the past weeks, AGE Platform Europe has been at the forefront of key dialogues with European institutions, advancing the case for more inclusive, age-friendly, and sustainable working lives. 

Here’s a snapshot of three major events where AGE put the spotlight on the urgent need to support older workers in a changing labour market: 

1. Tackling ageism and seizing digital opportunities – Polish Presidency Conference, Warsaw 
   At the Polish Presidency conference on “Building the Digital Future in Occupational Safety and Health” held in Warsaw on April 3–4, 2025, AGE Policy Officer Sarah Loriato took part in a dedicated session titled “The Potential of the Silver Economy”. She presented concrete recommendations to ensure that older workers are not left behind in the digital transition.
   
   Drawing from the AGE Barometer 2023, she delivered a strong message on the need to address ageism as a fundamental barrier to sustainable and quality working lives in the digital era. In a labour market undergoing rapid digital transformation, these issues risk becoming even more severe. Without targeted action, digitalisation could exacerbate the digital divide, increase stress and self-doubt among older employees, and deepen workplace exclusion. 

   The digital shift also presents powerful opportunities to empower older workers if designed inclusively. AGE highlighted how digital tools can be leveraged to create more flexible and accessible work environments and strengthen intergenerational solidarity within teams. 

   The presentation concluded with the upcoming AGE Barometer 2025 which will focus on the evolving challenges faced by older workers, offering practical policy recommendations for inclusive workforce planning. 

2. AGE introducing its recommendations to the EPSCO Working Party Session on Age-Inclusive Employment 
   On 7 April, AGE Secretary General, Maciej Kucharczyk, and Policy Officer on Employment, Sarah Loriato, were invited by the Polish Presidency to introduce a session of the Working Party on Social Questions, part of the EPSCO Council, which brings together national representatives working on employment and social affairs.

   The discussion was held in the framework of the Polish proposal for Council Conclusions on ‘silver transformations’, aiming to address demographic change through EU policy. AGE welcomed this initiative, which aligns with the upcoming European Strategy for Intergenerational Fairness. 

   AGE shared findings from the AGE Barometer 2023, which highlights ageism, lack of support in the labour market, and non-adapted workplaces as key barriers to older workers. We also announced the forthcoming publication of the 2025 Barometer, which will focus on the green and digital transitions and on the challenges and opportunities that it could bring to older people’s employment.  

3. Engaging with the European Commission on key employment and social initiatives   
   AGE Secretary General, Maciej Kucharczyk, and Policy Officer on Employment, Sarah Loriato, met with the Cabinet of the Executive Vice-President on Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu, at the Berlaymont. 

   The exchange focused on three flagship initiatives: 
   
   ● The forthcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap, 
   ● The upcoming new Action Plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), 
   ● The planned EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, now expected in 2026. 

   AGE presented its core demands and shared the AGE Barometer 2023 and its Policy Paper on tackling old age poverty. We also introduced the priorities of the upcoming Barometer 2025, which will explore the impact of the green and digital transitions on older workers.