The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Creuse has developed a targeted support to SMEs of the Silver Economy to offer better services to older adults.
With around 35% of its population being over 60-year-old, the department of Creuse is one of the older ones in the country, while also being a rural territory facing depopulation and a lack of services. In this County more than 20% of +60 are vulnerable and facing a loss of autonomy. At the same time, the County of Creuse is economically very attractive and the sector of commercial goods for individuals has the faster growth.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Creuse, in France, has developed mainly since 2010 a silver economy approach in its support to regional SMEs. By organising events such as “Silver economy: the economy for the ageing society” in January 2018, developing the topic in its newspaper and different communication channels and organising networking sessions, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry managed to raise awareness on the sector of the Silver Economy at local level.
To encourage the development of goods and services for the vulnerable and ageing population of the territory, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry started offering advisory and monitoring services on the Silver Economy sector. One of the strengths of its strategy is to target all SMEs, and not only the ones specialised in Silver Economy goods and services, in order to promote the development of a more diversified offer for older adults.
Resources needed
1 person at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working as Silver Economy officer on a full-time basis (on the 5 sectoral Officers)
Evidence of success
Only during the period 2015-2017, 83 compagnies sensitised to the ageing issue and the Silver Economy market in the area. Among them, 22 compagnies benefited from an individual & personalised support. 4 of them developed a new offer targeting older adults of the County.
Difficulties encountered
- Raising awareness of the market opportunities offered by the Silver Economy
- Fully dedicating 1 employee on 5 to this topic
Potential for learning or transfer
The support provided by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Creuse is easily transferable to other regions. Chambers of Commerce exist in most European countries and are the regional contact point for entrepreneurs.
Tags: SME, Competitiveness, Support, Development, Industry
