EMPOWERCARE
EMPOWERing individuals & communities to manage their own CARE
Priority Axis
Technological and Social InnovationSpecific objective
Social Innovation
Lead partner
The Health and Europe CentreContact
Begindatum
01/01/2020Einddatum
31/03/2023Project budget
7 234 220 €ERDF amount
4 340 532 €ERDF rate
60%Over
Common challenge
The 2 Seas area is facing a common problem - rising demand for health and social care services by our growing older population - creating a pressing need to find new approaches. In 2013 the over 65s made up 18.2% of the European population; 19.4% in France, 18.6% in Belgium, 18.7% in the Netherlands and 18.2 % in the UK. These figures are set to rise to a staggering 28.7% on average by 2080. With the cost of care for older people increasing it is necessary to integrate these groups more closely with their communities, keeping them healthier and in their own homes safely for longer. The challenge facing the 2 Seas area is that we will run out of resources if we don’t change the ways citizens are involved in their own health and wellbeing. Traditional services are already at capacity and the present system pushes people to the default point of safety (hospital).
Overall objective
Main outputs
Cross border approach
Main Achievements
The project launched at the end of January 2020, one of the last in-person meetings most partners engaged in. As a result of only meeting in person once, the partnership has not gelled in the way that would normally be hoped and expected - the commitment is, however, present, just not the lighter-touch mutual understanding normally shared by the end of the first year. All PPs, and notably the WP Leads, made significant efforts to keep activity on track, and online meetings were successful in many respects.
Virtual site visits were well organised and fruitful - yes, lacking in the "hands-on" opportunities anticipated, but nonetheless providing good demonstrations of existing models, technology and other work. Information was gathered, assets mapped, and communication with stakeholders and a wider audience undertaken. Some partners were able, at times during the year, to conduct community meetings in pilot sites, accessing different local cultures even within the same countries/areas. Where some PPs had no previous experience with relevant technology, they spent time learning, and in some cases, engaged subcontractors to help.
Partners have reported positive experiences in related collaboration, too, where they have been able to engage, for example, between delivery and academic partners to reach larger sections of target groups - something that is of benefit to EMPOWERCARE, but also more widely. Evaluation has started strongly, with engagement between the leads and the delivery partners via virtual means.