Fourth "Local Stakeholders Group Meeting" in Italy
On Friday, February 7th, 2025, the “Local Stakeholders Group Meeting – Product and Service Innovation to Improve Quality of Life” was held at the Chiostri di San Pietro in Reggio Emilia (Italy).
The event was organized by CNA Reggio Emilia with the support of CNA Emilia-Romagna as part of the European project NOTRE – Novel methods improving production innovation potential with examples of senior care-related solutions, of which CNA Emilia-Romagna is a partner.
The NOTRE project aims to strengthen public policies and support SMEs in innovating products and services for the silver economy. It also promotes the creation of an international network to exchange experiences and best practices, with the goal of developing targeted strategies to address the social, business, and political challenges related to an aging population, and the increase in vulnerable individuals.
The event was attended by representatives from local institutions, the social-health district, universities, businesses, the third sector, and the Emilia-Romagna Region. This meeting, following the Third Local Stakeholders Group Meeting, involved the Emilia-Romagna Region as an associated partner, alongside a group of key local stakeholders, to share experiences and investment strategies—both public and private—to support the Silver Economy and the development of new solutions in health, social, and economic fields.
The roundtable, coordinated by Azio Sezzi, General Director of CNA Reggio Emilia, included the following participants: Giorgio Lugli - President of CNA Reggio Emilia, Laura Sassi - President of CNA Pensionati Emilia-Romagna, Marcella Contini - Head of the Industrial Policy Department at CNA Emilia-Romagna, Annalisa Rabitti - Councilor for Social Services/Aging and Care of People, Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Alberto Ravanello - Director of Social Health Activities at USL Reggio Emilia, Martina Columbu - Marketing and Communications Manager at Delta Med SpA, Marco Minelli - Co-Founder of Claire Medical Solutions, Daniela Mecugni - President of the Nursing Degree Program at Unimore, Vera Romiti - Provincial Forum of the Third Sector of Reggio Emilia, Silvia Giovanelli - Emilia-Romagna Region, Social Health Area – Elderly and Disability, Social Policy, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunities, General Directorate of Care for People, Health, and Welfare.
Europe is undergoing significant demographic transformation due to the progressive aging of its population. In this context, the population of Emilia-Romagna continues to age, with an old-age dependency ratio of 205 elderly people for every 100 young individuals. People over 65 account for 24.7% of the population, while those under 15 make up only 12%, due to the decline in births. The increase in the elderly population puts pressure on the socioeconomic system and welfare services. It is necessary to develop targeted policies to support active aging and promote birth rates (source: Population Report in Emilia-Romagna as of January 1, 2024, Emilia-Romagna Region).
The event highlighted the importance of building strategic alliances among the public, private, and third sectors. The key message shared by all participants was: “We cannot win alone.” There was a recognition that it will be possible to effectively address the challenges of the Silver Economy only through close collaboration and investments in innovation.
A central theme was the promotion of active aging, not merely ensuring a dignified aging, but also making welfare flexible and responsive to the specific needs of the population, ensuring the best quality of life for everyone. Another focal point was the role of caregivers, largely women, who need more support and recognition. The need to personalize care pathways and create integrated networks between social, health services, and families to make care more effective and sustainable was emphasized.
The meeting also featured the presentation of innovative biomedical solutions, such as advanced devices and surgical robotics, which not only improve the quality of care, but also enable greater autonomy for patients and caregivers, reducing the need for hospital admissions.
In conclusion, the Silver Economy stands out as a strategic opportunity for the economic and social development of the region. The NOTRE project represents a positive example of how innovation can contribute to effective and sustainable solutions for elderly care, promoting a solid and interconnected network for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all generations. CNA Emilia-Romagna continues to play a fundamental role in fostering collaboration among businesses, institutions, and the third sector to support the development of innovative and inclusive solutions for the benefit of the entire community.