1. « Quality of life of the seniors in Europe » European Project 2010 - 2011 www.qlse.eu www.qlse.eu

2. QLSE = NETWORK ON FORWARD POLICIES AND ACTION FOR THE SENIORS IN EUROPE « Quality of life of the seniors in Europe »

3. General Information The aim of this project is to create a long- term transnational network about policies and services. The project is co-financed by the European Union through the programme Europe for Citizens (Action 1. Mesure 1.2) The project is co-financed by the European Union through the programme Europe for Citizens (Action 1. Mesure 1.2) The targetgroup is senior citizens (60+) that are active and in good health.

4. Objectives The project has been the result of municipality meeting on the issue of quality of life of the seniors in Europe. The municipalities involved are all dealing with an ageing population. This trend needs to be met by drafting new policies and services based on the needs of the senior citizens of the 21st century. The project attempted to create a common approach to deal with the above-mentioned issue by creating a thematic network based on 6 events between 2009 and 2011.

5. Partners Skövde municipality (Sweden) Nörrkopping municipality (Sweden) Traversetolo Municipality and pedomontana sociale (Italy Parma municipality (Italy) Enzkreis Municipality (Germany) Tours Municipality (France)

6. Information The actors involved are all dealing with an ageing population. This trend needs to be met by drafting new policies and services based on the needs of the senior citizens of the 21st century. Population ageing raises many fundamental questions for policymakers – as “How do we help people remain independent and active as they age? As people are living longer, how can the quality of life in old age be improved?

7. Active senior citizens The word “active” refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active. Maintaining autonomy and independence as one grow older is a key goal for both individuals and policy makers.

8. Events opening event The opening event framed the question :  What do we know about the group of seniors ?  Who are they ?  And how to define the group/groups ?

9. Events The following 4 events focused on : – Empowerment of the seniors (May 2010 - Enzkreis municipality – Germany) – Demand driven services and ICT solutions (October 2010 – Norrkoping Municipality – Sweden) – Future housing (January 2011 – Tours municipality – France) – Leisure activity and social relation (May 2011 – Travelsetolo – Italy) The project ended with the sixth and final event, in which the results of the work done will be presented.

10. International seminar – Tours - January 2011

11. EXPECTED RESULTS The development of sub-projects in the four areas: future housing, demand driven services and ICT solutions, leisure activity and social relation. Involvement of a wide variety of actors (for example universities, NGOs, economic actors and citizens). The creation of transnational processes of cooperation among the involved cities.

12. EXPECTED RESULTS A documentation of the process European guidelines for other municipalities interested in drafting strategic policies in this field. www.qlse.eu

13. Project feedback What has happened on the local level ? Local dynamics inspired by the QLSE project Future prospects at the end of the project Local dynamics inspired by the QLSE project

14. Cooperation : 3 public actors A financial convention : City of Tours, Tour(s) Plus community, F. Rabelais University Creation of a research engineer part-time job A steering committee Preparation/ organisation of the 4th meeting

15. Local dynamics inspired by the QLSE project Local actors, involved in the 4th european meeting (Departmental council of Indre-et- Loire/Touraine CCI /Social landlords /OPAC – social housing) Touraine Inter-âge Translators (volonteers)

16. Local dynamics inspired by the QLSE project 2 complementary projects : QLSE project / Label Coherence and visibility of reflexions and actions Seniors discussion groups (autumn 2010) Photo exhibition : seniors housing Forum ‘Retirement : prepare and live it to the full’

17. project website: www.qlse.eu