Hincks Hosts International Working Group

07 November, 2022

The overall objective of the Senior EcoNect project is to prepare a policy focused and implementable Joint Action Plan for Silver Economy Ecosystems.

Hosted by the Hincks Centre, the first policy-focused international working group for the Senior Eco-Nect project took place online November 7th, 2022.

Opened by the Hincks Centre's Dr Helen McGuirk, the first peer learning exercise took place focusing on the emergence and interconnectivity of diverse sectors of the Silver Economy. The Hincks Centre Team were supported by their associate partners from the Southern Regional Assembly, MTU colleagues from the Hex-Spo Group from the Department of Sport, Leisure and Childhood Studies and the Cork Sports Partnership.

A best practice case study was presented by Jane O’Flynn, Product Manager of Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI). Health Innovation Hub Ireland is Ireland’s national healthcare innovation centre - accelerating needs led solutions to improve healthcare for all.

Jane explained how HIHI develop their connections and relationships across the health and care sector and said:

"We are the connector, driving collaboration between the health service, innovators and business, to accelerate the delivery of new healthcare technologies, products and services. We deliver a strong needs-led innovation pipeline into Irish and global health systems. Through our Knowledge Network we drive innovation from ideation through development to adoption."

Together with our partners, we then explored options to connect diverse sectors into the silver economy ecosystems. Attendees from Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and France took part in the discussion rooms that focused on emerging and connecting silver economy ecosystems.

Attendees pointed to:

policy areas for enterprise development and support;
rationales to fund more investment in supporting sectors as they emerge within the Senior Ecosystems and
how the emergence of supports is at different levels within the various EU countries represented.

A common theme was the difficulty to connect the SMEs and new start-ups to this important economic sector. This connectivity will lead to better targeted products and services that suit the needs of active and healthy ageing populations across Europe.

Senior Eco-Nect partners are working on the development of an interactive map of stakeholders for a diverse and inclusive ecosystem.

The Hincks Centre will host an in-person partner meeting on the 8th and 9th of December to progress this project. Hincks are preparing a full agenda for this two-day meeting and are looking forward to providing a ☘️ Céad Míle Fáilte ☘️ to our international partners!