Policy instruments
Discover the policy instruments that the partners of this project are tackling.
A means for public intervention. It refers to any policy, strategy, or law developed by public authorities and applied on the ground to improve a specific territorial situation. In most cases, financial resources are associated with a policy instrument. However, an instrument can also sometimes refer to a legislative framework with no specific funding. In the context of Interreg Europe, operational programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs as well as Cooperation Programmes from European Territorial Cooperation are policy instruments. Beyond EU cohesion policy, local, regional, or national public authorities also develop their own policy instruments.
LP addresses ESF+ 21-27 of Emilia-Romagna (ERR), priority 3 “Social Inclusion”, objective k) "Improve equal and timely access to services including healthcare".
ESF Plus Regional Programme strategy comes as a result of a participatory process with local authorities & stakeholders. The main goal is to generate new sustainable and inclusive growth and new quality jobs, supporting the Emilia-Romagna Region in its dual ecological and digital transition. This will also help reduce economic, social, gender, generational and territorial gaps.
Priority 3 “Social inclusion” aims at counter inequality and marginality by supporting integrated policies and social innovation actions ensuring that everyone can access quality educational services from early childhood, attain the highest levels of education, develop life plans and work towards independence.
Objective k) aims at improving equal and timely access to qualitỳ, sustainable and affordable services, also promoting access to housing and person-centred care; modernise social protection systems, promoting access to social protection, paying particular attention to children and disadvantaged groups; improving accessibility, including for people with disabilities, the effectiveness and resilience of health systems and long-term care services. The objective foresees actions to support the qualification and innovation of the social economy aimed at identifying and activating new models capable of intercepting and responding to new needs.
Partners working on this policy instrument

Almere's woonzorgvisie (Residential care vision) is a the local policy vision defined by Almere Municipality addressing housing market challenges, demographic changes, and sustainability goals, maintaining Almere's unique character as a liveable, inclusive and multi-nucleus city.
Among key objectives, quality of life is included in the document as a way to ensure more liveable, sustainable, accessible and age-friendly neighbourhoods based on proximity services. To face the current housing and social crisis, Almere plans diverse housing solutions like life-cycle housing, allowing seniors to age in place comfortably.
The vision results from consultations with residents and stakeholders, setting the framework for housing agreements and performance targets with housing associations, with regular reviews to adapt to changing conditions. Almere's housing vision 2020-2030 aims for a balanced, inclusive and sustainable city, actively managing housing development and focusing on diverse, high-quality, and affordable housing options, especially addressing the needs of an aging population. Based on these visions, binding performance agreements are made between municipalities, landlords, tenant organizations, healthcare providers and other stakeholders involved.
The strategic document provides a comprehensive plan for the development of Budapest XV District over a ten-year period, emphasizing economic growth, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. Objectives are:
Improve Social and Health Services:
-Maintain and enhance the quality of social and child protection services.
-Develop healthcare services and support for vulnerable populations.
Economic Development:
-Create institutional and financial conditions for business development.
-Develop business areas and support to SMEs.
-Utilize public work opportunities for employment.
Urban and Environmental Development:
-Modernize and develop the district’s infrastructure
-Enhance public safety and traffic conditions.
-Revitalize and create green spaces, parks, and playgrounds.
Community and Cultural Development:
-Support educational and cultural institutions.
-Promote community activities
-Expand opportunities for student and recreational sports.
Among priorities under the objective related to health services, there is to provide support for the elderly and those in need. Measures to be adopted are:
-Maintain and expand as needed a cash voucher for seniors in need (60+ Levendula Program)
-Consider the introduction of day care services for dementia patients.
-Engage in planning and professional collaboration to establish a new elderly care home.
-Improve and develop the existing system of home care services for the elderly.
Partners working on this policy instrument
The main purpose of the Thematic Action Plan for Mental Health is to provide Aabenraa Municipality with a framework for cross cutting themes and initiatives to promote the mental health and wellbeing of its citizens.
The objectives of the action plan are both to strengthen health promoting and health preventive measures, that will benefit all citizens in the municipality as well as initiatives, that can alleviate and reduce poor mental health among the vulnerable citizens.
The Thematic Action Plan for Mental Health has previously mainly contained a description of the challenges and the current knowledge in the area, as well as the municipalities current efforts to tackle these challenges within priority areas for different target groups divided by age including ‘mental health for children’, ’mental health for youths’, ‘mental health for adults and elderly citizens’, and ‘mental health for citizens affected by chronic diseases’.
The current Thematic Action Plan for Mental Health 2022-2024 lacks focus on concrete applicability of initiatives and a cross cutting approach in the work with strengthen the mental health of the target groups, such as vulnerable ageing people. This will be the focus in a new update of the action plan, also to ensure greater ownership of the mental health initiatives through an inclusive process of representants from all the departments in the municipality. In the further process other relevant stakeholders will be involved.
Partners working on this policy instrument

Sarajevo Centar Development Strategy 2021–2027 (hereinafter: the Strategy) is a policy that sets development priorities for Sarajevo Centar, taking into account all its dimensions: economic, social, environmental and spatial. Within this policy framework, the municipality carries out several activities for the elderly. It implements the "Bread and Milk" project for pensioners and people over 60 without income. Another type of assistance is towards pensioners or persons over 60 years of age without any income, who are entitled to one-time financial assistance for the procurement of medicines. Eligibility conditions are that the medicines must not be financed or partially co-financed by the Institute for Health Insurance and that the total income of the applicant's family household does not exceed the amount of two minimum pensions earned in BiH according to the latest statistical indicators.
Partners working on this policy instrument

The Local social action plan aims for comprehensive action by all council departments and other municipal institutions, which considers the gender and age perspective in all activities in a cross-cutting manner, promotes the participation of citizens and, above all, the elderly in the planning, evaluation and decision-making process. At the institutional level, in short, the aim is to provide care centred on the person, who is the focus of professional services and actions. This model of care aims to improve the quality of life of the elderly, in general, and those in need of care, in particular, giving the utmost importance to the exercise of their personal autonomy, facilitating the permanence of the elderly in their usual environment and socio-family support. It also aims to create social networks and resources in the municipality to respond to the needs of this group, supporting the capacities of the family and the community. To this end, the action has been structured around 6 areas of intervention, where the central axis is 1) physical, emotional and psychological health of the elderly, which is promoted from the areas of 2) education and culture, 3) public safety, 4) urban planning and the environment, as well as from 5) social services and 6) citizen participation.
Partners working on this policy instrument

The "Plan of the Chișinău Local Public Authority," approved by Decision no. 4/1 of 17.05.2022, outlines several key objectives and initiatives aimed at improving various aspects of life in Chișinău. The plan includes efforts in urban development, public transport, social services, health care, education, and environmental sustainability: 1) Urban Development: Enhancing infrastructure and public spaces to promote sustainable urban growth. 2) Public Transport: Introducing dedicated public transport lanes and preferential rates to improve mobility 3) Health and Social Services: Expanding access to health care services and providing support to vulnerable populations, including the elderly. 4) Education: Investing in educational facilities and programs. 5) Environmental Sustainability: Implementing green initiatives to promote a sustainable urban environment. Within the objective “health and social services”, specific priorities and measures have been included to support vulnerable elderly, such as expanding access to health care services specifically aimed at the elderly, including home care and medical assistance and social assistance programs to support the financial and social needs of elderly residents, ensuring they have access to essential services and community activities.