Introduction

The AAL Programme funds innovative Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)based solutions including products, systems or services to enhance older adults' quality of life, toimprove long-term sustainability of the health and long-term care systems and to strengthen theindustrial base in Europe. The main goal is to improve the autonomy, participation in social life,skills, and employability of older adults.

Objective of the Prize

The Smart Ageing Prize aims to award the most promising solutions in Europe using ICT for activeageing and its main theme is: Products and services that use innovative digital technologies tosupport older people to participate fully in social life.

The main aims of the Prize are to:

- Stimulate new, effective and user friendly ICT solutions that address older people's (65+)wellbeing, needs and aspirations;

- Mobilise new talent such as older people, students, engineers, designers, technologyprofessionals and SMEs to create solutions for active and healthy ageing;

- Prompt new collaboration to empower older people through co-creation;

- Build the capacity of new innovators to develop prototypes and business plans;

- Highlight the commercial opportunity of the Silver Economy and attract new investorsinterested in ICT solutions for older people.

Content of the solutions

The Prize awards ICT solutions that engage older adults across Europe in social and stimulatingactivities. The proposed solutions must have the following characteristics:

Use of innovative digital technologies to engage older adults in social and stimulatingactivities, promoting active and connected ageing.

- Be co-designed with users and capable of delivering a measurable improvement in thenumber of older adults participating in social activities.

- Be at the stage of a working prototype and less than 18 months away from entering themarket following the award of the prize.

The Prize will not award solutions such as medical devices or those that focus solely on health andcare needs.

Eligible countries

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerlandand United Kingdom.

Eligible applicants

SMEs, start-ups, entrepreneurs, innovators, designers, tech enthusiasts, individuals, groups andorganisations from AAL eligible countries.

Funding

The winners of the competition will receive:

- 1st prize of 35.000 euro

- 2nd prize of 10.000 euro

- A judges’ choice prize of 5.000 euro

The prizes must be used to:

a) finalise the solution proposed;

b) demonstrate its usefulness, usabilityand marketability

c) further develop and market the winning solutions.

More information athttp://aal.challenges.org