New solutions needed for an age old problem

New solutions needed for an age old problem

Closing date: 19 June 2009

A new UK-wide programme has been launched to develop innovative solutions to tackle the problem of an increasingly aged society. The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) £650,000 Age Unlimited scheme will look to fund a number of demonstration projects that will help older people lead more active and productive lives.

Last year, the number of people above state pension age exceeded those aged under 16 for the first time, and the increasing proportion of older people brings with it a whole host of challenges, such as additional pressures on state pensions and other public services.

Through their new programme, NESTA is looking to support up to 20 practical projects that will test and demonstrate new models that will help the nation overcome these issues. Businesses, local authorities, social enterprises, trade unions, and third sector organisations, such as voluntary and community groups, are asked to come up with innovative ideas under one of the following themes:

• Age Readiness – projects that will experiment with new methods that encourage people over the age of 50 to plan for and take actions to enable them to age well.
• Age Management - projects that focus on helping older people to continue working beyond the statutory retirement age.

Grants ranging from £500 to £50,000 are available, with proposals assessed against the following criteria:

• Whether the idea has the potential to make a significant social impact by supporting older people to age well.
• Innovation and how the project clearly shows a new approach, or implements existing ideas in a fresh way.
• That the idea is ‘user-centred’ and that older people have been integral in the planning and development.
• Feasibility.
• Sustainability.
• Whether the project has the potential to be transferred and replicated in a wider context.
• Value for money.

The programme officially opened to applications on 15 May, with interested organisations having until 19 June to submit their proposals. Around 40 entries will be given advice and support to develop their ideas further, before a panel of experts chooses up to 20 successful projects that will share the funding pot.

For further information about Age Unlimited, visit the NESTA website at
http://www.nestalab.org.uk/age-unlimited-call-for-ideas