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23.9.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
246/5
DECISIONS
DECISION No 940/2011/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 14 September 2011
on the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
(3) Pursuant
to
Article
3(3)
of
the
Treaty
on
European
EUROPEAN UNION,
Union, the Union is, inter alia, to combat social
exclusion and discrimination and is to promote social
justice and protection, equality between women and
men and solidarity between generations.
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union, and in particular Article 153(2) thereof,
(4) Article
174
TFEU
recognises
that
some
regions
of
the
Union suffer from severe and permanent demographic
handicaps that may adversely affect their level of devel
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
opment and require particular attention if the Union is to
achieve the objective of economic, social and territorial
cohesion.
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
parliaments,
(5) Pursuant
to
Article
25
of
the
Charter
of
Fundamental
Rights of the European Union, the Union recognises
and respects the rights of the elderly to lead a life of
dignity and independence and to participate in social and
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
cultural life.
Social Committee ( 1 ),
(6) Ageing
is
undoubtedly
a
challenge
for
the
whole
of
society and for all generations in Europe, and it is also
After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
a matter for intergenerational solidarity and for the
family.
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure ( 2 ),
(7)
The part of the population of the Union comprised of
people in their late 50s and over will increase at a much
faster rate than ever before. This is very positive as it is a
logical consequence of the improvement in health and
Whereas:
the quality of life. Nevertheless, due to this demographic
change, the Union faces a number of challenges.
(1)
Pursuant to Article 147(1) of the Treaty on the Func
(8) Successive
European
Councils
have
recognised
the
need
tioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Union is to
to tackle the effect of ageing populations on European
contribute to a high level of employment by encouraging
social models. A key response to this rapid change in the
cooperation between Member States and by supporting
age structure consists in promoting the creation of a
and, if necessary, complementing their action.
culture of active ageing as a lifelong process and thus
ensuring that the rapidly-growing population comprised
of people who are currently in their late 50s and over,
who are, on the whole, healthier and better educated
(2)
Pursuant to Article 153(1) TFEU, the Union is to support
than any such age group before them, have good oppor
and complement the activities of the Member States on
tunities for employment and active participation in social
working conditions, the integration of persons excluded
and family life, including through volunteering, lifelong
from the labour market and the combating of social
learning, cultural expression and sports.
exclusion.
(9) Active
ageing
is,
according
to
the
World
Health
Organi
( 1 ) OJ C 51, 17.2.2011, p. 55.
sation, the process of optimising opportunities for health,
( 2 ) Position of the European Parliament of 7 July 2011 (not yet
published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of
participation and security in order to enhance quality of
19 July 2011.
life as people age. Active ageing allows people to realise

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Official Journal of the European Union
23.9.2011
their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being
economy’) created by the growing demand on the part of
throughout the life course and to participate in society,
older people for certain goods and services, as well as the
while providing them with adequate protection, security
importance of a positive public image of older people.
and care when they need it. Accordingly, the promotion
of active ageing requires a multi-dimensional approach
and ownership by and lasting support among all
generations.
(15) The
Council
adopted,
on
8
June
2009,
Conclusions
on
‘Equal opportunities for women and men: active and
dignified ageing’, which recognised that, throughout the
Union, older women and men face serious challenges as
(10) The
European
Year
for
Active
Ageing
and
Solidarity
they seek to live active lives and to age with dignity, and
between Generations (2012) should build on the legacy
proposed a number of measures to Member States and
of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social
the Commission, including the promotion of active
Exclusion (2010) and the European Year of Voluntary
ageing policies, taking into account the different
Activities Promoting Active Citizenship (2011) and,
situations in the various Member States and the
therefore, the synergies between those European Years
different challenges faced by women and men.
and the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity
between Generations (2012) (‘the European Year’) should
be promoted.
(16) The Council adopted, on 30 November 2009,
Conclusions on ‘Healthy and dignified ageing’, inviting
the Commission, inter alia, ‘to develop awareness-
(11) The
growing
proportion
of
older
people
in
Europe
and
raising activities to promote active ageing, including a
the increase in chronic health conditions makes it more
possible European Year on Active Ageing and Intergener
important than ever to promote the healthy ageing of all,
ational Solidarity in 2012’.
and in particular older people, supporting their vitality
and dignity by, inter alia, ensuring access to appropriate
and high-quality health care, long-term care and social
(17) The Commission emphasised,
in its Communication
services and developing initiatives promoting the
entitled ‘Europe 2020 - A strategy for smart, sustainable
prevention of health risks associated with ageing.
and inclusive growth’ of 3 March 2010, the importance,
Healthy ageing can help to raise the labour market
to the Union, of promoting a healthy and actively-ageing
participation of older people, enable them to be active
population in the interests of social cohesion and higher
in society for longer, improve their individual quality of
productivity. On 23 November 2010, as part of the
life and limit pressure on health, social care and pension
Europe 2020 strategy, the Commission adopted a
systems.
flagship initiative entitled ‘An agenda for new skills and
jobs: A European contribution towards full employment’,
under which Member States should notably promote
active ageing policies. On 16 December 2010, the
(12) The
Commission
presented
its
views
on
the
demographic
Commission also adopted a flagship initiative on a
challenges that the Union faces and on opportunities for
‘European Platform against Poverty and social exclusion:
tackling them in its communications ‘The demographic
A European framework for social and territorial
future of Europe - from challenge to opportunity’ of
cohesion’. Achieving those policy goals requires action
12 October 2006, ‘Promoting Solidarity between the
from all levels of government and various non-govern
Generations’ of 10 May 2007 and ‘Dealing with the
mental stakeholders; those goals can in turn be
impact of an ageing population in the EU (2009
supported, at the level of the Union, by European Year
Ageing Report)’ of 29 April 2009.
activities that aim to raise awareness and to foster the
exchange of good practice. National coordinators should
see to it that national activities are coordinated and are
consistent with the objectives of the European Year. The
(13) The
diversity
of
older
generations
in
Europe
will
further
increase. It is therefore necessary to actively promote
participation of other institutions and stakeholders
equal opportunities and to encourage participation.
should also be planned.
Active citizens from different backgrounds have
important bridge functions in society, foster integration
and contribute to the economy.
(18) The
Council
adopted,
on
7
June
2010,
Conclusions
on
‘Active Ageing’ inviting the Commission ‘to pursue the
preparation of a European Year for Active Ageing in
2012, during which the benefits of active ageing and
(14) The Council and the representatives of the Governments
its contribution to solidarity between generations can
of the Member States, meeting within the Council,
be highlighted and promising initiatives in support of
adopted, on 22 February 2007, a Resolution on ‘The
active ageing at all levels can be publicised’.
opportunities and challenges of demographic change in
Europe: the contribution of older people to economic
and social development’ which emphasised both the
need to increase the possibilities for active participation
(19) The
European
Parliament
adopted,
on 11 November
by older people, including in the form of voluntary work,
2010, a Resolution entitled ‘Demographic challenge and
and the new economic opportunities (‘the silver
solidarity between generations’, calling on Member States

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Union L
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to make active ageing one of the priorities for the
(24) The Commission is implementing the European
coming years. The resolution also stressed that the
Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which, given the
European Year should, in particular, highlight the
frequent correlation between disability and ageing,
contribution that older people make to society and
contains relevant actions for older people. In particular,
afford opportunities to foster solidarity, cooperation
actions on accessibility following ‘Design for All’
and understanding between generations and to get
approaches are relevant. Actions to support independent
younger and older people to work together.
living and inclusion in the community are also relevant,
including those directed at older persons with disabilities
who are in need of a high level of support, who have
complex needs and who are particularly vulnerable and
prone to social exclusion. Furthermore the Union and all
(20) Opinions
drawn
up
by
the
European
Economic
and
Member States have signed the United Nations
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
have also stressed the importance of active ageing for
which contains, inter alia, provisions that are relevant
Europe by highlighting, inter alia, the value of cross-
for older people.
generational health care.
(25) The European Day of Intergenerational Solidarity is
(21) Council
Decision
2010/707/EU
of
21
October
2010
on
celebrated annually on 29 April. It provides a good
guidelines for the employment policies of the Member
opportunity for the Union to renew its commitment to
States (
strengthen solidarity and cooperation between

1 ) calls, under Guidelines 7 and 8, on Member
States to increase labour force participation through
generations in order to promote a fair and sustainable
policies to promote active ageing, to raise employment
society.
rates of older workers through promoting innovation in
the organisation of work and to increase the employa
bility of older workers through their up-skilling and
participation in lifelong learning schemes. Guideline 10
(26) This
Decision
establishes
a
financial
envelope
which
is
to
emphasises the need to enhance social protection
constitute the prime reference for the budgetary authority
systems, lifelong learning and active inclusion policies
within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional
with the aim of creating opportunities at different
Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European
stages of people’s lives, of shielding them from the risk
Parliament, the Council and the Commission on
of poverty and social exclusion and of enhancing their
budgetary discipline and sound financial management ( 2 ).
active participation in society.
(27) Active
ageing
is
also
targeted
by
several
Union
funds,
programmes and action plans, such as the European
(22) In
its
Communication
‘A
Digital
Agenda
for
Europe’,
the
Social Fund ( 3 ), the European Regional Development
first Europe 2020 flagship initiative, adopted on 19 May
Fund ( 4 ), the Progress programme
( 5 ), the Lifelong
2010, the Commission stressed the importance of
Learning Programme ( 6 ) and in particular its Grundtvig
information and communication technology (ICT) appli
programme, the Health Programme
( 7 ), the specific
cations and services for ageing well, proposing, in
programmes on ICTs and on socio-economic sciences
particular, the reinforcement of the Ambient Assisted
and humanities in the Seventh Framework Programme
Living (AAL) Joint Programme. The Digital Agenda for
for Research and Development ( 8 ), the Action Plan on
Europe also recommended taking concerted action to
‘Ageing well in the information society’, the AAL Joint
increase the digital competences of all Europeans,
including older people, a group that is overrepresented
( 2 ) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
within the 150 million citizens, or approximately 30 %
( 3 ) Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 of the European Parliament and of
of the total number of citizens, who have never used the
the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Social Fund (OJ L 210,
internet. Facilitating access to, and providing training in
31.7.2006, p. 12).
the use of, new technologies would further improve the
( 4 ) Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development
opportunities of older people.
Fund (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 1).
( 5 ) Decision No 1672/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community Programme
for Employment and Social Solidarity — Progress (OJ L 315,
15.11.2006, p. 1).
(23) In the context of the Europe 2020 strategy, the
( 6 ) Decision No 1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Commission has proposed launching an Active and
Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an action programme in
Healthy Ageing Innovation Partnership (AHAIP) within
the field of lifelong learning (OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 45).
(
the framework of the ‘Innovation Union’ flagship

7 ) Decision No 1350/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 October 2007 establishing a second programme of
initiative. The AHAIP would seek to enable citizens to
Community action in the field of health (2008-13) (OJ L 301,
live independently and in good health for longer and to
20.11.2007, p. 3).
increase by two the average number of healthy years of
( 8 ) Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
life by 2020.
Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework
Programme of the European Community for research, technological
development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412,
( 1 ) OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46.
30.12.2006, p. 1).

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Programme ( 1 ), the Competitiveness and Innovation
creating better opportunities so that older women and men can
Framework Programme
( 2 ) with pilot deployment
play their part in the labour market, combating poverty,
projects on ICT for Ageing Well, the Calypso Preparatory
particularly that of women, and social exclusion, fostering
Action on Social Tourism and the Action Plan on urban
volunteering and active participation in family life and society
mobility.
and encouraging healthy ageing in dignity. This involves, inter
alia, adapting working conditions, combating negative age
stereotypes and age discrimination, improving health and
(28) In order to ensure the participation of a diverse range of
safety at work, adapting lifelong learning systems to the needs
organisations, smaller scale events and operations should,
of an ageing workforce and ensuring that social protection
as far as possible, be facilitated during the European Year.
systems are adequate and provide the right incentives.
(29) Participation
of
relevant
Union-level
networks
in
the
On the basis of the first paragraph, the objectives of the
European Year should be encouraged and supported
European Year shall be:
with adequate resources.
(a) to raise general awareness of the value of active ageing and
(30) Since the objectives of the European Year cannot be
its various dimensions and to ensure that it is accorded a
sufficiently achieved by Member States due to the need
prominent position on the political agendas of stakeholders
for transnational exchange of information and the
at all levels in order to highlight the useful contribution that
Union-wide dissemination of good practice, and can
older people make to society and the economy, raising the
therefore, by reason of the scale of the action, be
appreciation thereof, to promote active ageing, solidarity
better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt
between generations and the vitality and the dignity of all
measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity
people, and to do more to mobilise the potential of older
as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union.
people, regardless of their origin, and to enable them to lead
In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set
an independent life;
out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond
what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,
(b) to stimulate debate, to exchange information and to develop
mutual learning between Member States and stakeholders at
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
all levels in order to promote active ageing policies, to
identify and disseminate good practice and to encourage
cooperation and synergies;
Article 1
Subject
(c) to offer a framework for commitment and concrete action
The year 2012 shall be designated as the ‘European Year for
to enable the Union, Member States and stakeholders at all
Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations’ (‘the
levels, with the involvement of civil society, the social
European Year’). It shall promote the vitality and the dignity
partners and businesses and with particular emphasis on
of all.
promoting information strategies, to develop innovative
solutions, policies and long-term strategies, including
comprehensive age-management strategies related to
Article 2
employment and work, through specific activities, and to
Objectives
pursue specific objectives related to active ageing and inter
generational solidarity;
The overall objective of the European Year shall be to facilitate
the creation of an active ageing culture in Europe based on a
society for all ages. Within this framework, the European Year
(d) to promote activities which will help to combat age
shall encourage and support the efforts of Member States, their
discrimination, to overcome age-related stereotypes and to
regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society and
remove barriers, particularly with regard to employability.
the business community, including small and medium-sized
enterprises, to promote active ageing and to do more to
mobilise the potential of the rapidly growing population in
Article 3
their late 50s and over. In doing so, it shall foster solidarity
and cooperation between generations, taking into account
Content of measures
diversity and gender equality. Promoting active ageing means
1. The measures to be taken to achieve the objectives set out
in Article 2 shall include the following activities at Union,
( 1 ) Decision No 742/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the
national, regional or local level:
Council of 9 July 2008 on the Community’s participation in a
research and development programme undertaken by several
Member States aimed at enhancing the quality of life of older
people through the use of new information and communication
(a) conferences, events and initiatives, with the active partici
technologies (OJ L 201, 30.7.2008, p. 49).
pation of all relevant stakeholders, to promote debate, to
( 2 ) Decision No 1639/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
raise awareness and to encourage the commitment to
Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Competitiveness and
Innovation Framework Programme (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 310,
specific objectives contributing to sustained and lasting
9.11.2006, p. 15).
impacts;

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(b) information, promotion and educational campaigns, making
3. By 25 November 2011, Member States are invited to
use of multimedia;
inform the Commission of their work programme, which
shall outline details of the national activities planned under
the European Year.
(c) exchange of information, experience and good practice, by
using, inter alia, the Open Method of Coordination and
Article 5
networks of stakeholders working to achieve the objectives
of the European Year;
Participating countries
Participation in the European Year shall be open to:
(d) research and surveys on a Union, national or regional scale,
and dissemination of the results, focusing on the economic
(a) Member States;
and social impact of promoting active ageing and of active-
ageing-friendly policies.
(b) candidate countries;
2. When implementing the activities referred to in
(c) the countries of the Western Balkans; and
paragraph 1, attention shall be paid to involving all generations
in the pursuit of the objectives of the European Year, in
particular by seeking to develop an inclusive approach and by
(d) European Free Trade Association States that are parties to
encouraging the participation of older and younger people in
the European Economic Area Agreement.
common initiatives.
Article 6
3. The
Commission
or
Member
States
may
identify
other
Coordination at the level of the Union
activities as contributing to the objectives of the European
1. The
Commission
shall
implement
the
European
Year
at
Year and may allow the name of the European Year to be
the level of the Union.
used in promoting those activities provided that they contribute
to achieving the objectives set out in Article 2.
2. The
Commission
shall
convene
meetings
of
the
national
coordinators for the purpose of coordinating activities of the
European Year at the level of the Union and of exchanging
4. The
Commission
and
Member
States
shall
take
into information and knowledge, including on possible
account gender mainstreaming in all their activities in
commitments and their implementation in Member States.
connection with the running of the European Year.
3. The
Commission
shall
facilitate
and
support
the
activities
5. The
Commission
shall
take
into
account
the
potential
of of the European Year at national, regional and local level,
cross-border activities taking place at regional or local level for
including by proposing, where appropriate, new pathways and
achieving the objectives set out in Article 2.
tools for the achievement of the objectives of the European Year
and their evaluation.
6. Efforts
shall
be
made
to
ensure
that
all
activities
of
the 4. Coordination of the activities of the European Year at the
European Year addressed to the wider public are easily
level of the Union shall also be a matter for the existing policy
accessible to all, including persons with disabilities.
committees and advisory groups.
5. The
Commission
shall
also
convene
meetings
of
represen
Article 4
tatives of European organisations or bodies working in the field
of active ageing in order to help it run the European Year.
Coordination with Member States
1.
Each Member State shall appoint a national coordinator to
be responsible for organising its involvement in the European
6. The
theme
of
the
European
Year
shall
be
made
a
priority
Year and shall inform the Commission of that appointment.
by the Commission in the communication activities of its repre
sentations in the Member States and by relevant key Union-level
networks receiving support for their running costs from the
general budget of the Union in their work programmes.
2. The
national
coordinators
shall
also
see
to
it
that
national
activities of the European Year are properly coordinated and
may also promote and facilitate local and regional activities in
7. The
European
Parliament,
Member
States,
the
European
this context. The national coordinators shall also foster the
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including civil
Regions shall be associated in the activities of the European
society, in the activities of the European Year.
Year.

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Article 7
with the United Nations and the Council of Europe, while
ensuring the visibility of the Union’s efforts to promote active
Financial and non-financial support
ageing.
1. Activities
referred
to
in
Article
3(1)
that
occur
at
the
level
of the Union may give rise to a procurement contract or the
award of grants financed from the general budget of the Union.
Article 11
Evaluation
2. Where
appropriate,
programmes
and
policies
in
fields 1. By
30
June
2014,
the
Commission
shall
submit
a
report
which contribute to the promotion of active ageing, such as
to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, education
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
and culture, health, research, the information society, regional
Regions containing an overall assessment of the initiatives
policy and transport policy may support the European Year, in
provided for in this Decision with details of implementation
accordance with the applicable rules and within their existing
and results to serve as a basis for future Union policies,
possibilities for priority setting.
measures and actions in this field.
3. Non-financial
support
may
be
granted
by
the
Union
for 2. The
report
referred
to
in
paragraph
1
shall
also
provide
activities undertaken by public and private organisations in
information on how gender equality has been mainstreamed in
accordance with Article 3(3).
the activities of the European Year and how the accessibility of
those activities for persons with disabilities has been ensured.
Article 8
Budget
3. The
report
referred
to
in
paragraph
1
shall
also
highlight
how the European Year has produced lasting effects for the
1. The
financial
envelope
for
the
implementation,
at
the
level promotion of active ageing across the Union.
of the Union, of this Decision, in particular in respect of the
activities set out in Article 3(1), for the period from 1 January
2011 to 31 December 2012, shall be EUR 5 000 000.
Article 12
Entry into force
2. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of
framework.
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Article 9
Article 13
Consistency
Addressees
The Commission - together with Member States - shall ensure
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
that the measures provided for in this Decision are consistent
with any other Union, national and regional schemes and
initiatives that help attain the objectives of the European Year.
Done at Strasbourg, 14 September 2011.
Article 10
International cooperation
For the European Parliament
For the Council
For the purpose of the European Year, the Commission may
The President
The President
cooperate with relevant international organisations, in particular
J. BUZEK
M. DOWGIELEWICZ

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