Advancing the Silver Economy: A co-created provincial Action-Plan
During Fall 2022 and Winter 2023, Inter’Act helped shape an action plan aimed at advancing the Silver Economy. This collaborative effort brought together a consortium of partners: ULiege, Yuza, Capconstruction, and Ecoconstruction.
The Silver Economy addresses the goods and services needed by an aging population and has a significant impact on both the traditional and social economies. It draws from a range of organizations, including non-profits, for-profits, social enterprises, and volunteer initiatives. The Silver Economy also recognizes the contributions of seniors themselves, including their purchasing power, volunteering efforts, and role in the workforce.
The global demographic landscape is rapidly evolving, with the World Health Organization predicting a significant increase in the global average of people aged 60 and over. As per Statistics Belgium, the number of individuals aged 55 and above is expected to rise from 3.5 million in 2016 to 4.6 million by 2061. In response to this demographic shift, the government of Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium’s southern part, initiated a public tender to identify actions that could stimulate the Silver Economy. This initiative involved engaging with stakeholders from various sectors.
Inter’Act’s Collaborative Approach
Inter’Act, in close collaboration with its partners, conducted workshops involving actors from diverse services, committees, and community organizations. These workshops aimed to identify the pressing concerns and issues that matter most to stakeholders and support the growth of the Silver Economy.
Through a combination of workshops, thorough analysis, and negotiations, the consortium recommended five guiding principles that should underpin any project related to the Silver Economy. These principles were presented during workshops and as part of a comprehensive six-action plan submitted to the provincial government.
Inter’Act played a crucial role in planning events and workshops during this initiative. Additionally, post-doctoral researcher, Maxim Lamirande, and Prof. Catherine Elsen contributed significantly to identifying key themes and developing the action plan.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts that delve into the key themes and the proposed action plan. To learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Inter’Act, Prof. Catherine Elsen, or Dr. Maxim Lamirande. We are excited to continue this journey towards shaping a more inclusive and prosperous Silver Economy.