Why are we doing this?

The future of work is changing. With advances in technology and increasing trends towards entrepreneurship, this brings with it exciting new opportunities for older adults to contribute their extensive skills, networks and experience to the economy and make a positive social impact.

Senior enterprise is one powerful means to empower older adults to contribute to society and create meaningful connections, creating resilient and sustainable businesses and social ventures, as well as leveraging the complementary skills and knowledge of younger adults for intergenerational collaboration.

However, there is currently a lack of opportunities and support for senior enterprise, and the means for all older adults to work with different generations in the entrepreneurial space.

Digital technology and ICT can play an enabling and enhancing role in this space, alongside non-technological solutions, tools and infrastructure can also help older adults to engage in enterprise across generations. This could include diverse means such as mentoring, coaching and other skills-sharing platforms, as well as stimulating the creation of freelance and entrepreneurial initiatives led by older adults, allowing this generation to transition effectively in a changing economy.

What are we doing?

Businesses of the future should harness the skills and assets of all generations to enable people to work together and thrive through enterprise.

This 50,000 EUR challenge prize is seeking solutions that support, empower and inspire older adults to engage in entrepreneurship, for example through the creation of intergenerational teams and skills-sharing, or digital solutions to help bring to life the entrepreneurial ideas and energy of the 60+ age group.

The third Smart Ageing Prize is looking for solutions with the following characteristics:

• Matchmaking applications targeted at older entrepreneurs
• Career portals or platforms helping older adults navigating into enterprise-related opportunities
• Intergenerational online learning solutions enabling learning and skills sharing between older and younger people

About the AAL Programme

The Active and Assistive Living (AAL) Programme is a €700 million funding initiative focused exclusively on developing ICT solutions for active and healthy ageing. The overall objective of AAL is to enhance the quality of life of older adults while strengthening the industrial base in Europe through the use of ICT.