Innovation 4 Welfare has brung together policymakers, knowledge providers, economic and social intermediaries and health institutions, implementing projects and policies across six regions. These stakeholders shared, exchanged, transfered and implemented good practices and have made efforts to renew the regional policy agenda’s. By means of interregional cooperation, Innovation 4 Welfare has built new coalitions of economic and social actors. In that way I4W became a European generator for new solutions promoting health and welfare.
Although the six regions had different experiences they also had a lot in common or at least had the challenge to work on issues in the following application fields:
- Services and products for special target groups (like elderly people);
- Accessibility, mobility and smart homes;
- Medical and home care systems;
- Safety and security.
In these application fields technical solutions within ICT, food- and bio-technology, advanced materials and design have been applied.
Innovation 4 Welfare is co-funded by the Interreg IVC Programme
The INTERREG IVC Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective. It is a EU programme that helps regions of Europe work together to share their knowledge and experience. Launched in 2007, the programme runs until 2013.
Two priorities
The programme provides funding (EUR 302 million) for regions of the European Union plus Switzerland and Norway (regional and local public authorities) to exchange and transfer knowledge and good practice. Two main priorities are targeted: ‘Innovation and Knowledge economy’ and ‘Environment and Risk prevention’. These priorities reflect the strategy of the European Union to encourage growth and jobs in line with the Lisbon and Gothenburg Strategy ánd gives a wealth of knowledge and potential solutions for regional policy-makers