In 2013 the over 65s already made up 18.2% of the European population (18.6% in Belgium), and these figures are set to rise to a staggering 28.7% by 2080. It will be key to empower older people to take charge of their own health and wellbeing and make sure that they can stay longer in their own homes. PRoF joined forces with partners from Flanders, the UK, the Netherlands and France to create strong communities, surrounding older people with the care they need.  
 
The Interreg 2 Seas project EMPOWERCARE combines partners with expertise in health technology, social cohesion solutions & integrated workforce approaches, and local organisations with access to the target population (65+ and 50+ with at least one chronic condition). All these partners have one goal in common: empowering both individuals and communities to manage their own care and tackle isolation and loneliness.
 
EMPOWERCARE will go in search of a medical model that is not deficit. Instead, the project partners will focus on using technology and local services to keep older people active, healthy and motivated.
The project partners will detect and tackle current gaps in the care system and build learning networks, enabling both professionals and families to share expertise and best practices.
 
By harnessing skills and expertise of local people and by co-creating innovations, EMPOWERCARE will have a lasting impact and make a real difference in individual lives and communities. The PRoF consortium is happy to be part of this project, since EMPOWERCARE is fully in line with the PRoF approach of joining forces across sectors and industries to create visions for the future.
 
 
Project duration: January 1, 2020 – September 30, 2022
Lead partner: The Health and Europe Centre (UK)
Partners: PRoF (BOONE), Familiehulp, Zorggroep H. Hart, Province of Antwerp, Wieltjesgracht, VITO,  Kent County Council (UK), , University of Brighton (UK), Canterbury Christ Church University (UK), Solidarity University (NL), Samenwerkingsverband Welzijnszorg Oosterschelderegio (NL), Conseil Départemental du Nord (F)

EMPOWERCARE (EMPOWERing individuals & communities to manage their own CARE) has been awarded more than 4 million euros of European funding (via the European Regional Development Fund, EFRO) as part of the Interreg 2 Seas programme. This project with a total budget of almost 7 million euros includes 13 partners from Flanders, the UK, the Netherlands and France.