Q-Ageing

The radical change of the age structure can be identified as a social phenomenon present throughout Europe. It means that while the number of the elderly employees (55 -64) is growing, the ratios of the elderly (65 -79 and above 80) are increasing; the ratio of the active employees is decreasing. Finding solution for the socio-economic problems induced by this situation is an urgent task at local, national and European level.

Prolonging the physical and intellectual activities of the elderly thus keeping them on the job market is indispensable in order that the costs covering the supply of the elderly and born by the active society do not rise unbearably high. Another important aspect is that active and quality ageing equals as a basic human right for the elderly, therefore it is considered as an obligation for the national and local governments to provide them with an adequate environment.

Why Újbuda?

The rapid growth of the population during the past 50 years has also contributed to the fact that Újbuda has the highest ratio of the population over 60 in the area of the capital, meaning that 40,000 local citizens belong to this layer of the society. Therefore Local Government of 11th district of Budapest has decided to create a liveable place with traditions for the elderly and ensure the quality ageing for the inhabitants. One of the pillars of this vision is the local initiative, 60+ program and besides this Újbuda managing the European Territorial Cooperation Central Europe Programme “Q-AGEING: Quality Ageing in Urban Environment” as a Lead Partner.

The project embraces nine towns or organizations in five countries with a common goal to improve services for the citizens over 60 and to ensure an everyday life of high quality for them. The program initiatives intend to serve as a good example for the partner organizations and later for all members and towns of the European Union.

Q-AGEING Project

The aim of Q-AGEING Project is to find an effective solution to the problem of the period after the years spent with active work by way of applying two overlapping methods: improving the quality of the public services including adapting them to the needs of the elderly population and secondly, and establishing a new urban environment considering the new needs related to the changing lifestyle and the ageing of the society. The main goal of the project is the social integration of the elderly people. A balanced society in which the elderly generation is being active, where the services dedicated to elderlies are well organised and the urban city structure take into account their needs, is an important competitive factor which can influence the investments of several international companies.

From methodological point of view, the Q-AGEING project starts with a research the method of which is to be jointly defined by the partners. Based on the results of the research, regional action plans focusing on the most important development areas are to be prepared. The project partners execute experimental programs in five areas out of which they select the most efficient case studies and they prepare a ‘Toolbox’ that can be utilized by any institution or town facing similar phenomenon. The other important output of the project is the Ageing Resource Centre (ARC) which will be a proactive methodological observatory for community initiatives at municipal related to elderly and especially for active ageing.

Partners

Project data

Total budget of the project: 2 612 750 EURDuration: December 2008 – January 2012

Project website