Demographics are leading to an increasing need for products and services specially geared towards older people. As part of the AAL European funding programme, innovative marketable solutions are being developed with the help of new technologies. These solutions enable the elderly to maintain the standard of living and independence that they are used to in their own home and for as long as possible.
An important feature of AAL projects is their proximity to the market: two to three years after each project ends, a finished product or service should already be available.
Who can submit a project?
The annual calls for project proposals are aimed at SMEs, large companies, universities of applied sciences, research institutes and organisations representing the interests of seniors (e.g. care organisations, foundations and public institutions). Interested parties are advised to get in touch with the AAL contact person for Switzerland at Innosuisse (see under Contact below).
Projects should be submitted via the central AAL programme website.
The specific aims of the AAL Programme are to:
- Foster the emergence of innovative ICT-based products, services and systems for ageing well at home, in the community, and at work.
- Create a critical mass of research, development and innovation at EU level in technologies and services for ageing well, including the establishment of a favourable environment for participation of SMEs.
- Help create the market conditions for the industrial exploitation of healthy ageing products by providing a European framework that supports the development of standardised solutions and facilitates their adaptation to local, regional and national levels to account for varying social preferences and regulatory requirements.