Businesses of the future should harness the skills and assets of all generations to enable people to work together and thrive through enterprise.
This €50,000 challenge prize, funded by the AAL Programme, was seeking solutions that support, empower and inspire older adults to engage in entrepreneurship, for example through the creation of intergenerational teams and skills-sharing, or digital solutions to help bring to life the entrepreneurial ideas and energy of the 60+ age group.
The future of work is changing. Advances in technology and increasing trends towards entrepreneurship brings exciting new opportunities for older adults to contribute their extensive skills, networks and experience to the economy and make a positive social impact.
Senior enterprise is a strong way to empower older adults to contribute to society and create meaningful connections, creating resilient and sustainable businesses and social ventures, as well as leveraging the complementary skills and knowledge of younger adults for intergenerational collaboration.
However, there is currently a lack of opportunities and support for senior enterprise, and the means for all older adults to work with different generations in the entrepreneurial space.
Digital technology and ICT can play an enabling and enhancing role in this space, alongside non-technological solutions, tools and infrastructure can also help older adults to engage in enterprise across generations.
This could include diverse means such as mentoring, coaching and other skills-sharing platforms, as well as stimulating the creation of freelance and entrepreneurial initiatives led by older adults, allowing this generation to transition effectively in a changing economy.
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Diaspo’s vision is to unite generations by rekindling their appreciation and connection to cultural heritage through food. From the comfort of their own kitchens, older adults can be supported to become virtual teachers, hosting live and interactive cooking classes for younger people via a video conferencing platform.
Grandnanny is a new type of childcare service that connects communities. It matches older adults who are looking for rewarding, part-time work with local families who need after-school childcare.
Parlangi connects people from different generations, cultures and nationalities. Younger adults who want to learn a language are matched via the Parlangi app with older adults who are native speakers of that language, to help tackle different problems such as loneliness, prejudice and the feeling of being useless.
The Care Hub is a platform that provides dignified work for older adults by connecting them with families in need of care services. The work is flexible and designed around the abilities of the older adults, encouraging entrepreneurship within them and empowering them as productive contributors to the economy.
Silver Starters is an online training programme for older adults focused on teaching start-up principles. The programme has been developed with older adults so that the content is specifically tailored to their needs. Adaptive learning has been incorporated into the programme both online and offline to ensure a personalised training experience.
were submitted to the Prize from 19 different countries, with 39% of those coming from the UK
had been working on their solution for one to three years
were from SMEs/startups. Around 14% were also received from social enterprises and around 11% were received from charities/NGOs
