Database of good practices on ageing

Older persons in Australia

The campaign’s toolkit and public pledges have been adopted widely across sectors—from individuals and Workplace champions to media organizations, highlighting tangible cultural shift efforts. The campaign also triggered further evidence-based discussions of better representation of older persons in Government. 

The EveryAGE Counts campaign was initiated through a collaborative effort between advocacy groups, researchers, and government bodies concerned about age discrimination in Australia. It began as a national coalition of organizations and individuals committed to ending ageism, spearheaded by the Australian Human Rights Commission and supported by community partners. The campaign was formally launched in October 2018 after extensive groundwork, including research on ageism’s impact, stakeholder engagement, and development of public education tools like pledges, quizzes, and awareness events. Its initiation was driven by growing evidence that ageism negatively affects employment, health care, and social inclusion, prompting a coordinated national response.

It is a good practice because it addresses an underlying problem that many older persons face, which is ageism. It includes interactive tools to challenge stereotypes such as quizzes and has a guidebook. It also represents political commitment through the National Human Rights Commission. 

EveryAGE Counts

Vulnerable groups in Mongolia, specifically elderly individuals and persons with disabilities—populations often marginalized in digital inclusion efforts.

The UN Joint Programme (2024–2025) improved digital skills and e-service access in underserved Mongolian regions, establishing the first Digital Training Facility and deploying mobile units to reach remote communities.

UNDP’s Accelerator Lab adapted the open-source Microsoft Digital Skills curriculum into Mongolian with added accessibility features such as voice-overs, subtitles, and plans for sign-language support. The content was delivered through a multi-channel approach, combining the “Would you go digital?” Facebook page with offline training sessions for deeper engagement. In partnership with national authorities and UNICEF, the UN Joint Programme also expanded infrastructure by operationalizing e-Mongolia services and establishing Mongolia’s first Digital Training Facility in Darkhan-Uul Province, along with mobile units to reach remote communities.

The initiative adapted a global digital skills curriculum with accessibility features for seniors and persons with disabilities, delivering it through online outreach and in-person training. Over 200,000 engagements in 1.5 months showed strong public interest. Physical training centers and mobile units anchored the program in underserved areas, and integration with the e-Mongolia platform under UN joint programming aligned it with Mongolia’s digital governance agenda.

• https://mongolia.un.org/en/296085-un-joint-programme-strengthening-digital-e-mongolia-services-and-communities-concludes?utm_source
• https://un-dco.org/stories/bridging-digital-divide-mongolia?utm_source

Elderly people from low-income backgrounds in Wellawaya, suffering from cataracts or poor vision, unable to afford spectacles or surgery.

The first mobile eye camp served about 700 older people, providing free eye examinations, reading and prescription glasses, eye-care education, and referrals for cataract surgeries in Colombo where operations and lenses were free. (WHO). The programme improved healthcare access for vulnerable seniors, strengthened community inclusion, enhanced well-being, and advanced gerontology services.

HelpAge Sri Lanka launched the project with a converted bus as a mobile clinic, staffed by trained professionals. Camps were held in seven locations, coordinated by local elders’ committees with support from temples. Services included examinations, spectacles, referrals, and education.

It effectively expanded access to essential eye care for disadvantaged older people through mobile, community-driven collaboration—reducing vulnerability and fostering inclusion.

The primary beneficiaries are older persons (“silver” age group) who participate as volunteers, gaining opportunities for social engagement, personal development, and contribution to society. Indirect beneficiaries include local communities and vulnerable population groups that receive support through projects implemented by senior volunteers. The programme has coverage across all regions of the Russian Federation, including urban and rural areas.

The programme operates on a nationwide scale, covering all regions of Russia and by 2025 attracted more than 12,000 registered senior volunteers through the DOBRO.RU platform. Regional centers for “silver volunteering" have been created, enabling the systematic involvement of older people in volunteer activities. The initiative has contributed to the expansion of senior‑led social projects and strengthened the visibility and social role of older volunteers at the community level.

The programme was implemented as a federal, multi‑stakeholder initiative led by the Dobro.rf ecosystem / Association of Volunteer Centres, with the charitable foundation “Vnuki” acting as programme operator and support from the charitable foundation “Memory of Generations”. It is implemented in partnership with federal institutions, including the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation and Rospatriotcenter.

The programme shifted the narrative around older persons from “recipients of care” to active contributors to society; created systemic, nationwide infrastructure for senior volunteering rather than isolated projects; integrated capacity‑building, volunteering, and social participation in one model; enabled scalability through regional centres and a national digital platform; and supported active and healthy ageing by strengthening intergenerational solidarity and civic engagement.

Policymakers and other data users

The first wave of the survey provided valuable data on ageing, reproductive behaviour, and family dynamics in Kazakhstan, contributing to the formulation of policies addressing these issues.

The survey covered 14,829 respondents aged 18–79 across Kazakhstan. Older adults were one of the key demographic groups analysed, along with themes related to reproductive behaviour and childhood. The survey was conducted through standardized personal interviews using tablet computers, ensuring data accuracy and efficiency. It was part of the broader "Generations and Gender" programme which aims to understand changes in demographic and family structures across countries.

The survey generated primary data on all ages including older persons

"Generations and Gender" in the Republic of Kazakhstan | Ageing Policies Database - UNECE

Older persons, their families and communities.

Geriatri‑ID has grown from a small movement into a digital ecosystem delivering information and services for older adults and their families, helping Indonesian seniors adapt to technology and access expert health information.

The online platform actively publishes articles and videos, and periodically organizes webinars (Lansia Online) on various challenges and good practices related to healthy ageing and geriatrics in Indonesia. Geriatri-ID also organizes various community events from karaoke to lectures.

Primary beneficiaries are children who receive age‑appropriate physical activity, learn body awareness and emotional intelligence, and engage in creative development; and pensioners, who regularly attend health groups (physical training, Nordic walking, eye gymnastics, Tibetan practices, painting) and receive individual diagnostics and psychological support, all without payment.

Regular activity improves participants’ health, supports emotional well-being and decreases social isolation. Doing sports, arts and leisure activities together also constitutes a meaningful intergenerational activity.

Delivery combines experienced teachers (with methods proven over time, diagnostics, and participant feedback) and a funding model that invites support from partners, socially responsible businesses, and private donors to cover venue rental, instructors’ work, and equipment. The programme emphasises access without payment so participants can care for physical and mental health regardless of financial constraints.

The practice is notable for its longstanding, no‑fee, community‑based delivery, its holistic design (physical health, mental health, and creativity), proven methodologies refined since 1991, and accessibility of venues that bring services close to everyday life. Its sustainability model—partner and donor backing—supports scaling demand and ensures continuity, while the focus on preventive, regular activity underscores health and immunity benefits for both seniors and children.

• Конаковский район участвует в социально-оздоровительном проекте «Подари здоровье»
• Тверских пенсионеров приглашают на бесплатные оздоровительные занятия - Агентство социальной информации 

Beneficiaries are older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and sick residents in Bullagon.

As of 2024, more than 2100 Go Bikers have been certified and the project has served over 42000 people.

The project started in 2019 working with the Philippines Red Cross and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to train 70 young "Go Bikers" to become community responders during emergencies. In 2020 it expanded to have the Go Bikers conduct regular health monitoring - sharing the information with health workers and medical professionals who can take further action in case of irregularities. In 2021, the Go Biker Leadership Training Program was introduced to help build confidence and help volunteers to lead their teams effectively.

The costs (training, bicycles, medical equipment etc.) are covered through a combination of government assistance, foundation grants, and in-kind support.

It promotes intergenerational respect and communication and instills awareness of healthy living among youth.

The regular check-ins are important not just for older persons' physical health but also emotional well-being.

Addresses healthcare needs of underserved populations, particularly in regions with limited access to medical facilities.

It promotes intergenerational respect and communication and instills awareness of healthy living among youth.

The regular check-ins are important not just for older persons' physical health but also emotional well-being.

Addresses healthcare needs of underserved populations, particularly in regions with limited access to medical facilities.

Older persons in the state of Selangor

The programme has provided financial relief and improved the quality of life for thousands of elderly and disabled individuals by enabling them to purchase basic necessities during festive seasons.

The scheme was developed as part of the Selangor State Government’s economic agenda to support vulnerable groups. After its initial launch in 2008, it was rebranded and improved in 2019 to provide annual shopping vouchers instead of death benefits. Implementation involves distributing vouchers through State Assembly Service Centres, where registered members present their identity cards. Vouchers can only be redeemed at designated supermarkets to ensure proper use.

 It provides practical, recurring support that helps seniors meet essential needs, promotes social inclusion, and reflects a sustainable and replicable model for other regions aiming to value and empower their elderly population.

Older persons in Indonesia

This regulation resulted in the first formal infrastructure for elderly care in Indonesia, mainly from the Posyandu Lansia, or Neighborhood Health Posts, providing monthly health screenings as well as social community activities. Elderly were also given concessions such as discounts on public transport and priority lines in hospitals and banks. The regulation transitioned elderly care into a permanent government obligation.

It respects the diverse capabilities of older persons. By distinguishing between the 'Potential Elderly' and the 'Non-Potential Elderly', the government/community can provide more targeted interventions. The regulation also places emphasis on community care over institutionalized care, aligning with ageing in place principles.