The EU Week for Sustainable and Inclusive Communities kicked off in Brussels, at Odysee University, with a packed room full of enthusiastic participants. The opening event, titled "The Future is SHAFE," showcased advancements in creating smart, healthy, and inclusive environments for all generations. For those unable to attend in person, an online link was provided, promoting digital inclusion for all interested parties.
With a warm welcome from Carina Dantas, CEO of SHINE 2Europe and Chair of NET4Age-Friendly, alongside Willeke Van Staalduinen, Vice-Chair of the network and CEO of AFEdemy, the day featured dynamic discussions with experts dedicated to designing healthier and more connected communities.
The event focused on presenting the results of two key initiatives:
SIRENE: A Horizon Europe-funded project developing smart, sustainable community-based services within the SHAFE (Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments) framework.
NET4Age-Friendly: A COST Action that brings together an international network committed to creating healthy, accessible environments for all ages, integrating innovative technologies to improve the quality of life for all generations.
In addition to these initiatives, the morning panel highlighted several projects offering funding opportunities, such as the NewEcoSmart open call, presented by Tajana Medaković and Vukašin Orsić, both Project Managers at F6S.
After the initial panel, participants had the opportunity to further explore funding possibilities through a second panel titled “Meet projects and funding opportunities.” Speakers like Pascaline Gaborit, and Almudena Muñoz, delved into discussions on how to innovate in sustainable development and inclusive environments. Giuseppe Mele, and Theo Zacharis, presented practical approaches to improve community infrastructures and expand access to technologies that promote social inclusion and well-being across generations.
The event also featured a presentation by Edward Scipio, CEO of IIX Holdings and Chairman of the Board at House of Scipio, who highlighted business opportunities within the SHAFE framework. Scipio focused on how health services, community care, and housing can benefit from innovations in smart and inclusive environments. His presentation emphasized the importance of aligning private sector initiatives with public policies to create solutions that cater to the needs of the aging population while also preparing for future generations.
The morning concluded with a networking and matchmaking session, where participants exchanged ideas with representatives from different industries and explored how ecosystem support could be strengthened through collaboration between academia, the private sector, and public policies.
In the afternoon, the panels continued to explore how sustainable housing can be adapted to make cities more age-friendly. The panel on "Sustainable age-friendly housing" was moderated by Oscar Zanutto, Head of the EU Project Department at the Istituto per Servizi di Ricovero ed Assistenza agli Anziani, and included contributions from experts like Rodd Bond, and Emma Mulliner. This panel emphasized the role of design in creating spaces that cater to the needs of older adults while promoting multigenerational integration.
The panel on "SHAFE and affordable housing," moderated by Ivan Chorbev of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, featured Alice Pittini, and Hans Dubois. The discussion centered on how to make housing both affordable and inclusive, using new technologies and innovative designs that align with SHAFE principles.
Another afternoon panel addressed user-centered design of living environments. Moderated by Mara Diaconu from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, with contributions from Linda Shore, Joana Pinho, and Heidi Elnimr, the session explored the importance of placing users’ needs at the heart of design, aiming to create spaces that promote autonomy and well-being for citizens at every stage of life.
Carina and Willeke emphasized the importance of international collaboration and innovation in creating age-friendly environments, stressing that the mission of NET4Age-Friendly and the SHAFE Foundation is to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a healthier and more sustainable future.
This event marks an important step in the European Union’s journey towards fostering sustainable and inclusive community environments.