EIP on AHA Reference site
The Apulia Region, through AReSS and Innovapuglia, is Reference site of the European innovation partnership on active and healthy ageing, the European network for innovation in healthy and active ageing policies. The initiative was strongly desired by the European Commission to census and network the best realities in policies and practices for sustainable and quality longevity.
The status of Reference Site gives the centres or regions a privileged role at the European Commission of consultation for the drafting of policies and funding on the subject, of structured provision of good practices to be brought into the system at continental level, of twinning and tutoring for other regions and of greater authority in accessing European funds.
Europe's population is ageing rapidly. However, living longer does not necessarily mean living a healthier, more active and independent life. The partnership promotes the use of digital innovation for active and healthy ageing with the aim of improving the living standards of older and disabled people.
To this end, the Reference Sites promote the introduction of sustainable and integrated health and social care models and to meet the challenge of providing protection and care services to ageing citizens, they successfully bring together a wide range of stakeholders to drive innovation in the field of active ageing, with a view to long-term regional, socially inclusive and economic development.
Reference Sites thus create the right environment for the transfer of developed knowledge, innovations and best practices to other European regions, adapting them to their local realities.
The Apulia Reference Centre supports the self-assessment system of institutions, companies, researchers and citizens of the level of maturity of the Apulia context in supporting healthy and active ageing policies.
It also creates opportunities for the various stakeholders to discuss the weaknesses and strengths of policies on the subject and plans the various activities.
Apulia, in the last call for proposal, obtained the highest recognition as Reference Site Four Stars for the quality of the solutions implemented in the processes of supporting active and healthy ageing, and for the ability to produce an assessment among stakeholders of the regional quadruple helix (Public Administration, Academia, Citizens, Businesses) on twelve different evaluation domains with the aim of investigating the level of maturity of the Apulian context in supporting policies in favour of healthy and active ageing throughout the whole life span, and a consequent action plan to overcome the critical points identified.
Reference Sites are virtual places where representatives from industry, civil society, academia and regional and local government authorities meet and discuss the European model of the Quadruple Helix in order to co-design a structural change that goes beyond the limited scope that a single organisation can afford.
