Good practice:

OLDER PEOPLE'S WORKING GROUP to steer the implementing of the Friendly Cities programmes

For the 2018-20 period, the DRIVER GROUP has proposed giving impetus to ACTIVE AGEING AND THE "BIZKAIA FOR ALL AGES" STRATEGY, whose aim to get older people to be centre stage in the transformation of the region by adapting the structures, resources and services so that they are accessible and inclusive for all older persons.

Therefore, there has been a task force within the BIZKAIA COUNCIL OF OLDER PEOPLE set up since 2014. The group is made up of 12 older persons and its mission is to steer the promotion and implementation of the Friendly Cities programme in our region

Work framework
The "Bizkaia For All Ages" strategy seeks to adapt Bizkaia for ageing, as set out in the Bizkaia Strategic Plan for Older Persons.

The Council for Older People wishes to be the body that guarantees the transformation of the Territory "with" older people in the spotlight, guaranteeing that the Age-Friendly Cities programme and other programmes are driven from participatory models aimed at the community development of the different towns and zones.

Functions
- Collaborate in information, dissemination and awareness-raising actions
Process the requests for information or support of different stakeholders
to implement the programme.
- Foster the active involvement of older people's associations and of other
interested parties.
- Monitor the implementation of the programme.
- Energise the networking between the municipalities of Bizkaia.

The Driver Group receives technical assistance from an external company and a small amount to cover the travel costs of the group's members (approximately €15,000 per year).
Furthermore, Bizkaia Provincial council can sporadically directly cover other costs.

What has been the social impact?

• We are one of Europe's regions with a higher percentage of municipalities signed up to the AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES. There are already 30 municipalities of Bizkaia committed to driving the programme.
• We have launched a work network in the region with the different municipalities involved.
• We have contributed to guaranteeing a key role for older people, by giving importance to the existence of a DRIVER TEAM of older people in each municipality.

Has this good practice been adopted in other regions of the country or in other countries?
No.

Has this good practice been implemented as a pilot programme or as an extended programme? If it is a pilot programme, is there a plan for broader implementation?
No

Is this good practice currently being implemented on an ongoing basis as a routine procedure?
Yes

We are not aware of this practice existing in any other region. In Bizkaia, we believe that it is essential that a programme of the characteristics of the INTERNATIONAL AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES be promoted under the auspices, monitoring and direct participation of the Regional Council of Older People.

It would be an easy practice to transfer, provided there is an empowered body representing older people that assumes the commitment to be involved in the implementation and development of the AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES programme in their respective territory.