Research activities

This research field comprises six tasks which are structured to build on, and support, the findings of all the other research fields.

Synthesising MOPACT activities

An iterative process was used throughout MOPACT to synthesise the work of all other research fields by facilitating regular feedback from research leaders. Each research field fed information into the synthesising process as their tasks were completed or significant phases of work came to a viable conclusion. These syntheses formed the base inputs for the three Stakeholder Forums at which drafts of the syntheses were presented for discussion and revision.

Mapping active ageing

A review of empirical evidence on the extent of active ageing in different EU Member States based on datasets concerning labour market participation, volunteering, physical and mental functioning, civic engagement and so on. A crucial aspect was to draw attention to often hidden and underestimated non-market productive contributions of older people to society.

Variations across countries were highlighted to explore the extent of which these differences were associated with differences in public policies, perceptions, cultures and institutions. Also we explored differences between subgroups on the basis of age, gender, disability, employment status, marital status, living arrangements and educational attainment.

The review also highlighted the possible lack of relevant data that could be crucial to better understand active ageing (such as family care work, volunteering etc) in EU countries. This task built on the construction of the Active Ageing Index by the European Centre, financed by the EC under European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations 2012.

A key objective of the iterative review process was to draft and cross examine with stakeholders various scenarios for active ageing based on syntheses of MOPACT activities (described above). These scenarios consisted of the current state of play in the EU and the strategic steps necessary, by the EC and the member states, to make longevity an asset for social and economic development. These scenarios included a financial sustainability dimension and were designed specifically to reflect institutional diversity across the EU countries, especially between the old and the NMS and (possibly) between the Northern and Southern European countries.

MOPACT paid special attention to integrating pensions with employment conditions, health and social welfare. This task included building a consensus among project participants and stakeholders on key domains that needed to be considered in measuring active ageing, but also on the relevant indicators and on a benchmark level for each of the indicators of active ageing in Europe.

New empirical evidence involved not just taking forward the work in estimating an overall active ageing index but, also, measuring a gap index (for each chosen indicator) to estimate differences between the actual situation and an ideal state, where the latter could either be based on empirical observations of best performances or on a consensus view of experts of the best possible outcome.

Mapping social innovation

The first step was to conduct a global survey of social innovations and other initiatives. This sought out those interventions with a proven track record or promising potential to enhance active ageing, including policy initiatives to promote active ageing at the macro level, organisational initiatives and those in communities and neighbourhoods at the meso level and those aimed at the individual micro level.

The survey was a global web-based one and, to ensure the viability of this exercise, a balanced score card approach was used to filter initiatives, comprising evidence of impact of solid potential, transferability, ease of implementation and financial sustainability aspects. This task drew specifically from the various activities that took place during EY2012 and benefited from the expert advice of the WP Advisory Group.

The results of the global survey of social innovations and other initiatives are displayed in a state-of-the-art interactive European Active Ageing Resource. This is web-based and linked to other web-based social media, other websites offering related information on the promotion of active ageing, such as WHO and Eurofound.

The exemplars identified through the balanced score card filtering are be presented in an attractive format making them easy to access for specific needs. The main audience includes policy makers, practitioners, product producers, the media and general public (including older people). The three main focuses, therefore, will be individual (micro), organisational (meso) and community/society (macro). Only the most widely implementable (scalable) and proven exemplars are displayed.

Stakeholder engagement

The success of the strategy of active ageing relies crucially on actions by a wide range of stakeholders. For example, the extension of working life is not just a matter of work motivation of older workers but also how employers manage them; at the same time, civil society organisations need to better understand how to recruit and retain volunteers also from older age groups in the future, as longevity increases.

Along with the stakeholder engagement work across MOPACT activities, the specific aims for this research field were to draw insights from the iterative consultations with key stakeholders in identifying innovative policies, and their effective implementation in promoting active ageing and enhancing health life expectancy. Sustained stakeholder inputs were guaranteed over the life of MOPACT by project advisory groups and through three meetings of the MOPACT Stakeholder Forum.

Contributors

Activities are delivered variously by the Universities of Sheffield and Southampton and the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research.