Total: 413 good practice(s). Download
Eye camps for older people, implemented by the charitable NGO HelpAge Sri Lanka, provides a mobile eye camp for older persons living in Wellawaya. This camp is a converted bus that is equipped with facilities for the trained personnel to provide eye exams and guidance on eyecare, with the scheme additionally providing free reading and prescription glasses for those in need. The service further helps people in need of surgery, namel cateract surery, to an eye hospital that provides services free of charge.
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.
A federal programme was implemented to develop “silver volunteering", aimed at engaging older persons (typically aged 55+) as active volunteers in social, cultural, and community initiatives. The programme established a nationwide infrastructure for senior volunteering, including the creation of regional centers of “silver volunteering", training systems, and support mechanisms for volunteer initiatives led by older people. The programme also supported the design and implementation of social projects initiated by senior volunteers.
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.
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has promoted the development of age-friendly communities across the province through participation in the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities. The initiative supports local governments in creating environments that enable older persons to age actively, independently, safely, and with dignity.
The programme promotes age-friendly policies and actions across multiple domains, including outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. The provincial government provides coordination, information sharing, and support for municipalities pursuing age-friendly community development and WHO recognition.
Direct beneficiaries are municipal governments and local communities. The ultimate beneficiaries are older persons living in Gangwon province as well as persons with disabilities and other groups who benefit from improved accessibility and inclusive community design.
The initiative has contributed to the expansion of age-friendly city development across Gangwon Province and strengthened local commitment to population ageing issues.
The initiative was developed in response to rapid population ageing and the need to create supportive environments for older people.
Implementation includes:
The provincial government plays a coordinating and supporting role while municipalities implement local activities adapted to their specific demographic and geographic contexts.
This initiative demonstrates a comprehensive and preventive approach to population ageing.
Key strengths include:
The "Generations and Gender" survey aimed to explore demographic and social dynamics in Kazakhstan, with a focus on ageing, reproductive behaviour, and childhood. The survey provides insights into the experiences and perspectives of different age groups, including older adults, to inform government policy. The survey was conducted in 2018 by the Committee on Statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan, with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, which assisted in harmonizing data and creating the database.
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
Geriatri-ID is a digital platform and community initiative focused on older adults, offering information, services, and expert‑backed content for seniors and families. It includes articles on health, wellbeing, and aging; videos and expert consultations from geriatric specialists; community events and webinars specifically for seniors; stories showcasing empowered older adults using technology (e.g., retirees mentoring youth, older adults accessing digital health services).
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.
The programme provides regular, no‑fee group activities for children and seniors, including general physical training, Nordic walking, eye gymnastics, Tibetan gymnastic practices, and painting classes, plus full diagnostics and psychological support for pensioners; activities are delivered in convenient locations such as kindergartens, city centres, riverside promenades, parks, and groves.
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.
The Go Bike Project is a voluntary youth-led organization that trains and certifies youth to become community responders to support disaster resilience and health service delivery. It utilizes bicycles as an emergency response mechanism for health emergencies and natural disasters, as it enables youth to reach remote areas quickly and efficiently and is environmentally friendly. The practice was became particularly useful during the COVID-19 epidemic so vulnerable population groups, such as older persons struggling with chronic health problems and disabilities, did not need to leave their homes for basic medical check-ups (blood pressure, blood sugar levels and other vital signs), to receive relief goods, and for information on disaster preparedness and mitigation.
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.
The “Gold by DOP” application is a mobile platform developed by Thailand’s Department of Older Persons to support older persons, caregivers and the public in preparing for ageing. It serves as a centralized gateway for accessing information, services and support related to ageing. Users can check and track their eligibility for welfare benefits, access up-to-date information on health, employment and daily living, and learn about relevant laws through simplified infographics. The app also provides data on ageing trends and enables quick access to emergency assistance. Overall, it enhances accessibility, awareness and service delivery for an ageing society.
Older persons and their caregivers.
Older persons can more easily apply for and track welfare benefits digitally, reducing administrative barriers.
It reflects a government-led digitalization initiative, combining service delivery, information dissemination, and user support into one accessible tool.
Overall, the initiative has contributed to more accessible, user-centered, and integrated service delivery for older persons in Thailand.
The Golden Age Friendly Scheme (SMUE) is a social welfare initiative under the Selangor State Government, launched in 2008 and later rebranded as part of the Initiative Peduli Rakyat (IPR). Initially introduced as a death khairat scheme providing RM2,500 to eligible elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs), it was revised in May 2019 to offer a lifetime benefit in the form of annual shopping vouchers worth RM150. These vouchers are distributed during festive seasons to help seniors purchase essential goods.
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.
PP No. 43 Tahun 2004 establishes the framework for improving the social welfare of older persons in Indonesia by defining key categories—such as potential and non‑potential older persons —and mandating coordinated efforts between the national government, regional governments, and communities to ensure their well‑being. It requires the State to empower older persons so they can continue fulfilling social roles, provide social assistance for those who remain capable of productive activity, and deliver social protection for those who are no longer able to support themselves. The regulation also emphasizes the importance of accessibility, mandating that older persons must have ease of access to services, facilities, and infrastructure necessary for maintaining a reasonable standard of living, thereby promoting dignity, participation, and safety throughout later life.
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.
