EU Cities and Regions see their projects' excellence recognised

On July 1st, our References Sites - 32 cities and regions across Europe - received an Award in recognition of their work implementing technological, social or organisational solutions to enhance the efficiency of health and social care systems. Presented by European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes, the Awards went to star winners from Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK. 13 of them received three stars, 12 two stars and 7 one star. The ceremony gave those innovative coalitions of regions, cities, integrated hospitals or care organisations an opportunity to share their insight and best practices, to advertise for the replicability of their models and become inspiring references across Europe. The process was a self-assessment exercise, peer-reviewed, aiming at rewarding successful innovations already being used to help older citizens, in view of deploying them largely as a next step. The six categories of innovation were medication adherence, fall prevention, frailty and malnutrition, integrated care, independent living and age-friendly environments. 

You can find out more details in the catalogue, “Excellent Innovation for Ageing - a European guide: the Reference sites of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing”, which offers a tour of regions, cities and communities and their real life innovation projects. 
If you missed the ceremony, you can watch it on the EIP on AHA Youtube playlist, together with the Reference Sites and ceremony presentation videos. 

Together with the Reference Sites, the European Commission is working on a coaching/twinning system of RS regions, also with other European regions. This project will take shape during the next EIP Conference of Partners in November, which will also include the presentation of a new practical Guide, currently under preparation. It will provide a concrete approach, highlighting the strengths, success factors, lessons learned and advices of each Reference Site, in order to facilitate the replication of their best practices.