01 September, 2022

The European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy. It has grown to become a unique communication and networking platform, bringing together regions and cities from all over Europe, including politicians, administrators, experts and academics. Over the last 19 years, it has done much to promote policy learning and the exchange of good practice.

The Silver SMEs project has been selected for a pitch session to present the Silver SMEs key messages in 15 minutes at this year's European Week of Regions & Cities.

Rural and mountainous areas are particularly affected by demographic change and ageing. Yet, these regions face a lack of goods and services targeted to the needs of the older population. The Silver Economy is a promising sector that can contribute to improving the quality of life of rural older adults and creating jobs in rural areas. The Interreg Europe Silver SMEs project provides examples of Action Plans adopted in rural regions to support the sector in order to cope with demographic change.

The session, entitled 'The Rural Silver Economy: the Way Forward” will take place online on 13 October from 10:30 to 10:45 Irish time (11:30 to 11:45 Brussels time).

The session builds on the results of the Silver SMEs project. The project can provide examples of concrete measures adopted in regions to support the development of the Silver Economy in rural areas, such as support to social businesses, training and communication campaign on the Silver Economy and the needs of older adults or the creation of showrooms where businesses from the sector can showcase their innovations. Silver SMEs has developed 8 regional Action Plans that adopt a place-based approach to further develop the Silver Economy and enhance territorial cohesion in rural and mountainous areas - leaving no one behind. After the adoption of the EU Green Paper on Ageing, the session will provide participants with an overview of replicable practices that can inspire other ageing rural areas.

Registration for this online event is now open and is available at the following link: https://eu.app.swapcard.com/event/euregionsweek-2022/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfOTYwNDU3

We look forward to seeing you there.

Silver SMEs also has a digital stand, where you can discover the outcomes of the project: eu.app.swapcard.com/event/euregionsweek-2022/exhibitor/RXhoaWJpdG9yXzg5MDc5NQ==

To learn more about the Interreg funded Silver SMEs project click here or go to the project website: http://www.interregeurope.eu/silversmes/