Total: 405 good practice(s). Download
The Vision Document on Ageing 2030, implemented by national and local Governments in Türkiye, was prepared to guide policies, programmes and services around ageing. The policies for older persons were categorised into six headings, including: active ageing, care economy, care services for older persons and quality of life, economics of ageing, rights of older persons and age friendly cities and local governments.
Primary beneficiaries were older persons in Turkey, along with persons with disabilities, their families, and communities engaged in intergenerational solidarity.
The programme reached thousands of older persons, promoting active ageing, reducing poverty risk, and expanding social inclusion through local care models and learning initiatives. For example, YADES supported municipalities in home/day care, directly improving well-being for vulnerable seniors (UN DESA, 2019 Voluntary National Review).
Turkey’s Ministry of Family and Social Services, through the General Directorate for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, developed the 2020–2030 Aging Vision Document to guide policies on active ageing, care services, rights, and age-friendly environments. The framework was co-created with universities, NGOs, and local governments. Implementation included establishing 3rd Age Universities, expanding lifelong learning programs, enhancing home/day care via the YADES program, and integrating ageing into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Coordination ensured evidence-based strategies supported healthy, dignified, and inclusive ageing.
It is evidence-based, rights-focused, and participatory, fostering intergenerational solidarity and embedding ageing within national and global development agendas.
The “Walk in My Shoes” campaign by HelpAge India is an annual initiative launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to address ageism and strengthen intergenerational bonds. The campaign focuses on raising awareness about elder abuse and social isolation.
Older and younger people in India are beneficiaries benefitting of a changed image of older persons.
It has raised awareness, generated nationwide participation, and released research reports on intergenerational dynamics, promoting respect and inclusion for older persons.
The “Walk in My Shoes” campaign by HelpAge India was developed as a response to growing concerns about elder abuse, neglect, and ageism. To address these issues, HelpAge India conceptualized the campaign around empathy-building, encouraging younger generations to “see life through the eyes of elders.” Findings from national studies on elder abuse and intergenerational gaps informed the campaign’s core message.
The campaign tackles ageism and elder abuse through an empathy-driven, intergenerational approach. It combines research-based advocacy with engaging activities that encourage youth to understand the experiences of older persons, fostering respect and inclusion.
Walk In My Shoes - A HelpAge India Campaign | HelpAge India
The Wealth Partaking Scheme is an annual government programme that provides direct cash transfers to eligible Macao residents. Administered by the Macao SAR Government through the Financial Services Bureau, the scheme distributes payments through mechanisms such as bank transfers and mailed cheques. The programme aims to share the benefits of economic development with residents and support household income and well-being. While not specifically targeted at older persons, the scheme can contribute to income security for older residents by providing an unconditional cash benefit. Beneficiaries can access information on eligibility, payment schedules, and services through a dedicated government portal.
Residents of Macao, China.
The programme is financed from the Macao SAR Government's public budget and fiscal surplus. The Wealth Partaking (Cash Sharing) Scheme was established in 2008 to distribute part of this fiscal prosperity directly to residents through annual cash payments. Over time, the programme evolved from a simple universal cash distribution into a more regulated social transfer mechanism. The scheme has been periodically reviewed in response to public feedback and societal expectations regarding fairness, sustainability, and targeting.
The programme enables residents to share in the benefits of economic development and provides some income security. It uses simple delivery mechanisms such as direct bank transfers and cheques, supported by dedicated service centres and online services. The scheme has evolved through periodic reviews, with 2025 reforms introducing residency requirements and special provisions for groups including older persons, students, and persons with disabilities, improving fairness, accountability, and responsiveness to changing demographic and social needs.
The “While you were small, we grow” project in Izmir, Türkiye, was implemented by a doctoral student from the Department of Internal Medicine Elderly Health. This initiative brought together older persons and high school students to teach each other traditional and modern games, correspondingly breaking down generational barriers.
older adults (aged 60+) enrolled in the University of the Third Age (Tazelenme Üniversitesi) at Ege University, and high school students from several technical high schools in İzmir.
In nine months, the programme more than doubled in scale, fostering intergenerational connection and cultural exchange through monthly high school game sessions.
The project was conceptualized by PhD candidate Buğçe Kamer Baybaş from the Department of Internal Medicine’s Gerontology group at Ege University. Inspired by intergenerational values and the Turkish National Ageing Action Plan (2007), she collaborated with teacher Ülker Orhan to bring the idea to life. Initially piloted with a small intergenerational group, the project quickly scaled when Baybaş encountered the Ortak Değerler Hareketi (Shared Values Movement) and received support through its support program. Participants were then selected from multiple schools and Tazelenme University, and they met monthly across different high school venues over a nine-month period.
The project used play as a universal bridge to connect older and younger generations, fostering mutual respect, empathy, and cultural exchange. Elders shared traditional folk games while youth introduced contemporary ones, creating a holistic value exchange that evolved from a 3-month pilot into a 9-month programme with a public festival. Rooted in community and backed by institutions like Ege University and Ortak Değerler Hareketi, the scalable model broke down age stereotypes, gained public recognition, and demonstrated potential for replication in other communities.
A WHO Collaborating Centre on geriatrics and care for older people was set up at the Russian Clinical and Research Centre of Gerontology of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (supported by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation) to promote integrated primary and long‑term care, design and test innovative care models, support training, and advocate for/evaluate healthy‑ageing policies. The Centre's mission aligns with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and aims to strengthen evidence‑based approaches and scale models for ageing populations.
Primary beneficiaries are older people in the Russian Federation and neighbouring countries through better integrated care and long‑term care. Secondary beneficiaries include health and social‑care professionals who receive training and guidance, and policymakers who gain evidence‑informed analyses and recommendations to adapt systems to demographic change.
Early outcomes are system‑level: the Centre is mandated to exchange and disseminate information on geriatric services and long‑term care, assess country progress and barriers, prepare policy reviews, and develop educational programmes for health and social‑care workers. At national level, the Ministry highlights an existing three‑tier geriatric infrastructure (regional centres, outpatient offices, beds) that provides the operational base for Centre‑supported improvements.
Designation followed multi‑year groundwork at RCRCG: research on ageing, creation of a biobank of long‑livers, development of clinical and organizational solutions, and an education pipeline for specialists. WHO/Europe’s designation formalized this role and positioned the centre within the WHO CC network to share data, co‑develop policies, and train practitioners across the Russian Federation and the wider region.
It couples a national centre of excellence (RCRCG) with WHO’s collaborating‑centre framework, ensuring replicability, policy relevance, and regional reach. The model integrates research, clinical practice, training, and policy support, directly addressing rapid population ageing and aligning with global healthy‑ageing agendas. Clear terms of reference (innovation in care models, training, policy evaluation) and an established national geriatrics infrastructure increase feasibility and potential impact.
Japan has established a statutory system for monitoring and implementing ageing policies through the Basic Act on Measures for an Ageing Society. Under Article 8 of the Act, the Government must submit an annual report to the National Diet on the state of the ageing society and the implementation of ageing-related measures, and present plans for future actions. The Cabinet Office coordinates this process across ministries and agencies. Monitoring combines administrative data, surveys, policy reviews and annual reporting. Older persons also participate in policy review processes, including through advisory bodies convened during revisions of national ageing policy guidelines.
Policymakers at national and local level benefit from evidence and data to use for policy design.
The framework has institutionalized regular monitoring of ageing policies across government for nearly three decades. Annual reports provide information on demographic trends, policy implementation and future measures, covering fields such as employment, pensions, health, long-term care, social participation and living environments. The system also supports evidence-based policy adjustments. In employment policy, annual employer reporting under the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons enables the Government to monitor workforce participation and implementation of measures supporting longer working lives for older persons.
The monitoring framework was established through the Basic Act on Measures for an Ageing Society in 1995. The Act created a legal obligation for government-wide monitoring and annual reporting to the National Diet. Over time, the framework has been strengthened through the Guideline of Measures for Ageing Society and periodic policy reviews. According to the MIPAA survey, when the guidelines were revised, the Cabinet Office established a Study Group on Basic Measures for Ageing Society that included scholars and older persons. Monitoring also incorporates employer reports, surveys and research undertaken by government and independent agencies.
This practice provides a legal and institutional mechanism for ensuring accountability, continuity and evidence-based policymaking on ageing. Annual reporting requirements ensure that ageing issues remain visible in national policy processes and that implementation is reviewed regularly. The framework combines monitoring, forward planning and stakeholder participation, including the involvement of older persons in policy review processes. Because it is mandated by legislation and coordinated across government sectors, the system supports a coherent response to population ageing and helps align policy implementation with changing demographic trends.
Basic Act on Measures for an Ageing Society (English translation)
Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons
Annual Report on the Ageing Society 2024 (explains Article 8 reporting requirements)
Government of Japan. 2021. Voluntary National Survey on the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in Asia and the Pacific. Asia-Pacific Fourth Review and Appraisal of MIPAA. ESCAP. Questions 3.1.2 and 3.1.3
The Work Bonus, implemented by the Department of Social Services, is an Australian initiative that aims to support and reward older persons over ’AgePension’ age. This bonus was implemented to incentivise older persons to continue to work as it allows them to keep more of their pension, whilst earning income fron work, allowing them to earn up to $300 every two weeks.
The programme benefits Age Pensioners and eligible seniors, particularly those who are still working. It allows them to earn income from employment or self-employment without reducing their pension entitlement.
The scheme substantially improved income retention for older Australians by excluding a portion of their work income from the pension income test and allowing accumulation of unused credits. As of 2023, the Work Bonus balance cap increased to $11,800—allowing seniors to earn more without impact to their pension, thereby enhancing financial autonomy and workforce inclusion.
The Work Bonus was developed by the Department of Social Services to support workforce participation among older Australians. It is administered by Services Australia, with automatic income concessions applied through pension assessments.
It provides a clear, flexible financial incentive that aligns work and pension policy—empowering older individuals to stay engaged in the workforce without financial penalty, while minimizing administrative complexity.
The ’Working in Aged Care’ in New Zealand, implemented by the Government, Ministry of Business and Innovation and Employment, is a guidebook to help individuals who want to work in the aged sector as support workers, caregivers or health care professionals. The guide helps individuals understand the sector and where to find advice and support if needed.
New migrant aged‑care workers—especially from the Philippines, Pacific nations (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu), India, and China—as well as their employers in New Zealand’s aged care sector.
The Settlement Unit, MBIE, and sector stakeholders co-developed the guides, which were disseminated through Settlement Information, local communications, and included with visa application materials to reach both migrants and employers effectively.
It proactively addresses both migrant and employer needs with clear, practical guidance—fostering smoother integration, workplace harmony, and improved service delivery.
Xiaomi introduced age-friendly accessibility features for its smart TVs to improve digital accessibility for older persons. The initiative includes a Senior Mode with simplified navigation, larger fonts and icons, enhanced voice control, and content tailored to older users. The interface was designed with reference to accessibility principles to reduce barriers to the use of smart devices and support older persons' participation in the digital society.
Older persons, particularly older adults with limited digital literacy or age-related visual and functional impairments.
The initiative improved the accessibility and usability of smart TVs for older users by providing simplified interfaces and voice-enabled interaction. It also supported the national effort to promote age-friendly digital products and services.
The initiative was developed in response to China's increasing digitalization and population ageing.
The initiative demonstrates how private-sector innovation can support digital inclusion through accessible product design. Its approach can be readily replicated by other technology companies seeking to improve the accessibility of digital devices for older persons and contribute to age-friendly digital environments.
The Young Happy initiative is a social platform dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults by fostering happiness, independence, and active engagement. It offers both online and offline activities, educational programs, and opportunities for volunteering and social interaction, aiming to transform aging into a positive and empowering experience. Through partnerships and community-building, Young Happy promotes lifelong learning, meaningful connections, and a sense of purpose for seniors, helping them stay active and valued in society.
Older persons in Thailand and their families who participate in the initiative
Over 50,000 members actively participate in YoungHappy initiatives which led to increasing their digital literacy and social connections.
YoungHappy was founded when its CEO and co‑founder, Charkhris “Gap” Phomyoth, witnessed firsthand the loneliness and lack of purpose experienced by his own retired parents. Recognizing that retirement often led to depression, social isolation, and missed opportunities for lifelong learning, he was inspired to combine his personal motivation with the principles of social business to build a platform that empowers seniors. They launched YoungHappy in 2017–2018 in Bangkok as a hybrid online and offline community—offering activities, tech training, peer engagement, and volunteer opportunities—to help older adults stay active, valued, technologically connected, and socially engaged.
The project supports human-centered innovation. It directly increases older persons digital literacy, promotes intergenerational support and empowers older persons to stay active.
Presentation by Mr Charkhris Phomyoth
