Demographic Change in European regions Towards Regional Active Ageing Strategy Regional Council of North Karelia, Finland Risto Poutiainen, Erja Lehikoinen, Kimmo Niiranen

Facts about North Karelia  The easternmost region of the continental European Union (Virmajärvi, Ilomantsi 31°35’20”E)  Area: km² Forest 70% Water km 2  Population:  Distances: North - South 240 km East - West 153 km  Temperature: annual average +2  C variety +35  C to -35  C

Old Age Dependency Ratio 1980–2030 Short Description: This indicator is the ratio between the total number of elderly persons of an age when they are generally economically inactive (aged 65 and over) and the number of persons of working age (from 15 to 64).

Age and Gender Structure in 2008

Age and Gender Structure in 2030 Finland vs North Karelia

Age and Gender Structure in 2030 Two North Karelian Municipalities

Regional Strategies – Ageing as a Resource Regional plan 2030 Regional development plan 2014 North Karelia welfare programme North Karelia age-related knowledge Local ageing strategies

Regional Development Priorities Priorities: 1.Competitive business and industries 2.Expertise-based success and education 3.Prosperous and safe region 4.Attractive infrastructure and nature

Ageing – Age-dependent Services  Rising costs of public service delivery  Share of health and social care (48% of municipal budgets)  Service delivery in areas with population decline  Emphasis on  Improved cooperation between public, private and third sector  New effective models of providing services  eServices, new housing models….  Business opportunities (growth programme)

Ageing – Labour markets  Increasing demand for qualified labour force  Number of working age population decreasing rapidly (-13.6% until 2020)  Emphasis on foresight processes  Education needs – growing and changing demand  Use of foreign labour force  Improvement in labour force participation rate

Demographic Challenges... Changing Needs  Changing preferences in the demand of services and consumption habits, etc.  Changing needs concerning living conditions, infrastructure  The aged will -> have more purchasing power…also for private and high quality services ->utilize electronic services ->use new models of service delivery ->use new housing models

Active Ageing Existing Cases (Health and Social Care) Preventive work and early support -Preventive home calls -A memory clinic as early support -Senior Consultation Service Ankkuri -Ageing Clinic Ruori Inspiring work with the aged -Socio-cultural methods, creative operations -Various forms of Art (music,drama,handicraft…) New housing solutions -Supporting living at home -Between home and institution -Senioripiha, a welfare centre for the elderly Innovative product and service development -Development of door environments (Abloy Ltd etc.) -INNOstudio and Living Lab user-driven planning methods Cranberry (Karpalo) Development Centre

Active Ageing Entrepreneurship and Economy Ageing people as users and developers of products and services -300 private social and health care businesses employing over 2000 persons -The regional growth programme HYRRÄ for well-being industry Age management, transfer of knowledge and know-how in companies -e.g. Abloy’s Agemaster project Ageing people as part-time employees -Variety of tasks related to their own professional or other competencies Ageing people as potential entrepreneurs -Innovative and flexible ways for ageing

Active Ageing Education and Life-long Learning  Education needs of ageing people (for work skills and competencies, for capacity building, for computer literacy, for volunteer work, for leisure time) -Finnish pensioners are active in volunteer work -Regional University Network in North Karelia – training and development needs of the sparsely populated areas -Well-developed system of liberal adult education (adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities, study centres, sports institutes)

Ageing – Age-related Knowledge  To carry on research, development and innovation activities related to ageing  To identify and describe the best (of all proven) practices  To support the autonomy of the elderly with early support and preventive methods  To work with art, culture and creative methods  To get results and benefits of cooperation and networks

North Karelia is at the Forefront when…  …facing the future challenges of European regions years ahead  …introducing transferable solutions as a pilot region  …crossing boundaries (networking, cooperation with third sector organizations etc.)  … setting strategic visions, including for ageing  … European networks, like DART

For more information DART Project Manager, PhD Erja Lehikoinen Director, Regional Planning and Development Risto Poutiainen