ACCESS Living Lab aims to support digitally inclusive healthy ageing by fostering collaboration, research, and innovation across regional and European ecosystems. Led by Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Living Lab connects stakeholders from academia, public organisations, industry, and civil society to co-create solutions that address the challenges of digital health and ageing societies. Through collaborative environments and knowledge exchange, ACCESS contributes to strengthening regional initiatives while building European partnerships that promote inclusive and sustainable innovat
Context and Challenge
Europe is experiencing a profound demographic transformation, with a growing proportion of older adults and increasing pressure on health and care systems. At the same time, digital technologies are rapidly transforming healthcare services, prevention strategies, and wellbeing solutions. While digital health tools offer significant opportunities to improve quality of life and support preventive healthcare, many citizens still face barriers related to digital access, skills, and inclusive design. These barriers contribute to a widening digital health gap, particularly affecting older populations and vulnerable groups. The ACCESS Living Lab addresses this challenge by bringing together regional actors and European partners to explore innovative approaches that make digital health solutions more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of ageing societies.
Mission
The objective of the ACCESS Living Lab is to bridge the digital health gap in Europe by supporting collaboration and innovation that enable inclusive and digitally supported healthy ageing. To achieve this goal, ACCESS focuses on connecting regional initiatives with European partnerships, creating environments where stakeholders can jointly explore challenges and develop solutions. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, the Living Lab seeks to strengthen the capacity of regions to respond to the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in healthcare and wellbeing. Through its activities, ACCESS contributes to key thematic priorities including Healthy Ageing, Digital Transformation, and Inclusion and Social Justice, while aligning with regional innovation strategies that promote the transition from analog to digital systems and from treatment to health prevention.
What We Do
ACCESS Living Lab operates as a collaborative environment where stakeholders work together to generate knowledge, develop innovative approaches, and strengthen regional innovation ecosystems. This Living Lab focuses on five main areas of activity:
Building Networks Connects regional initiatives and stakeholders with European partnerships, strengthening collaboration and enabling the exchange of knowledge and best practices across innovation ecosystems.
Driving Research and Innovation through Co-creation Facilitates challenge-based workshops and collaborative environments where researchers, practitioners, and organisations jointly explore solutions for digital health and healthy ageing.
Transfer of Knowledge to Education Insights generated through Living Lab activities contribute to educational programmes and learning environments, helping students and professionals develop skills related to digital health and innovation.
Funding and Financial Support Supports the development of collaborative initiatives and explores opportunities for funding that can enable research, innovation, and cross-regional cooperation.
Policy Advocacy By connecting stakeholders and sharing knowledge, contributes to policy discussions and promotes strategies that support inclusive digital health and healthy ageing.
Activities and Impact
ACCESS Living Lab generates impact through collaborative activities that strengthen regional ecosystems and foster European cooperation. Key activities include the organisation of regional networking events, such as breakfast sessions or participation in events hosted by regional stakeholders. These events create opportunities to exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and promote collaboration among organisations working on digital health and healthy ageing. ACCESS also contributes to joint initiatives with partners from the STARS EU Alliance. Through yearly conferences and dedicated working sessions, the Living Lab participates in joint STARS EU Living Lab sessions, where partners share knowledge, develop collaborative approaches, and align activities across regions. Another important activity is the mapping and identification of relevant regional stakeholders and initiatives. By expanding the database of organisations and initiatives working in related fields, ACCESS aims to strengthen the network of actors involved in digital health and inclusive innovation. The Living Lab plans to identify and engage with up to ten relevant initiatives, supporting knowledge exchange and collaboration. Through these activities, ACCESS contributes to building stronger regional innovation ecosystems and promoting collaborative approaches to digitally inclusive healthy ageing.
Partners and Ecosystem
ACCESS Living Lab is coordinated by Hanze University of Applied Sciences and developed within the broader framework of collaboration of the STARS EU Alliance. By connecting regional stakeholders with European partners, the Living Lab contributes to strengthening cooperation between universities, research organisations, public institutions, and innovation actors working on digital health, ageing, and inclusion. This collaborative ecosystem enables ACCESS to support the development of innovative solutions, promote knowledge exchange, and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable digital health landscape across Europe.
Contact
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