The final event of the SIRENE project, titled “The Future is SHAFE,” took place from October 1-3, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, during the highly anticipated EU Week for Sustainable and Inclusive Communities and was organised in collaboration with Net4AgeFriendly project. This three-day event, held at the prestigious Odisee Hermes Building and the Committee of the Regions, brought together experts, stakeholders, and policymakers from across Europe to discuss sustainable, inclusive, and age-friendly environments (SHAFE) in the scope of business opportunities, health, housing, and innovative digital solutions.
Day 1: SHAFE and Business Opportunities
The first day, held on October 1, was dedicated to SHAFE’s business opportunities, with a focus on health, care, community, and housing services. The event started with a warm welcome and introduction to SHAFE by Carina Dantas, CEO of SHINE 2Europe and Coordinator of SIRENE, and Willeke van Staalduinen, CEO of AFEdemy.
The day’s agenda featured prominent speakers and experts, including Tajana Medaković and Vukašin Orsić from F6S, who discussed growth opportunities in the sector. Other presentations showcased successful EU projects and explored funding opportunities with insights from Pascaline Gaborit (Pilot4dev) and Giuseppe Mele (Fasttrack Action). The day concluded with a panel on Sustainable Age-Friendly Housing, moderated by Oscar Zanutto from ISRAA, featuring leading experts such as Rodd Bond and Emma Mulliner.
The day ended with an engaging session on User-Centred Design of Living Environments, moderated by Mara Diaconu, featuring innovative perspectives on housing and care for aging populations.
Day 2: Inclusive Environments for a Better Future
On October 2, the focus shifted to Using Social Innovation to Implement Inclusive Environments and SHAFE Communities at the Committee of the Regions. This session kicked off with opening remarks from Carina Dantas and Willeke van Staalduinen, and notable contributions from Isabel Marto, Vice-Mayor of Pombal Municipality, and Ronald de Bruin, Director of the COST Association.
The event featured thought-provoking presentations on policy connections and inclusive European regions. Carina Dantas and Michiel Scheffer, President of the European Innovation Council, led discussions on how SHAFE principles are shaping European policies to foster inclusivity. The day also introduced the Garcia Family case study, illustrating how the Social Innovation Framework (SIF) can be applied in real-life scenarios, presented by Miriam Cabrita and Willeke van Staalduinen.
The day’s highlight was the Official Handover of the project’s outcomes, symbolizing a new phase of collaboration and action within the SHAFE framework. This ceremony marked a significant milestone in achieving the project’s objectives of creating sustainable, age-friendly communities across Europe.
Day 3: Digital Health, AI, and Social Innovation
The final day of the event, held on October 3, focused on the critical role of Digital Health, AI, and Ethics in creating inclusive, age-friendly environments. Moderated by Carina Dantas, the sessions explored challenges and enablers in implementing societal missions, with panelists such as Gianna Tsakou (MAGGIOLI SPA) and Marius Geanta (Center for Innovation in Medicine) sharing their experiences.
The discussions continued with a deep dive into Trustworthy AI and the ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges it presents. Experts like Sara Colantonio (National Research Council of Italy) and Aleksandar Jevremovic (Singidunum University) offered practical use cases showcasing AI’s impact on social inclusion and healthcare solutions.
In parallel, young researchers had the opportunity to participate in a dedicated training session, exploring the Social Innovation Framework and how to effectively apply it to their research. Led by Pedro Roseiro and Inês Saavedra, this workshop provided invaluable guidance to the next generation of innovators in the SHAFE domain.
Building a Legacy for Inclusive and Age-Friendly Communities
The final event of the SIRENE project demonstrated the power of collaboration between research, policy, and innovation to build inclusive and sustainable communities for all. The conference successfully highlighted the future of SHAFE ecosystems, with a focus on creating supportive, age-friendly environments through co-creation, digital innovation, and practical solutions.
Carina Dantas and Willeke van Staalduinen wrapped up the event with closing remarks, thanking all participants and reaffirming their commitment to continuing the work that SIRENE has spearheaded, ensuring that the legacy of SHAFE will continue to grow and evolve in the years to come.
As SIRENE’s project reaches its conclusion, the impact of this initiative, coupled with the expertise and contributions of its partners, will continue to shape European communities, making them healthier, smarter, and more inclusive for all citizens, particularly seniors and persons with disabilities.
