Welcome

The Centre for an Age-Friendly Norway aims to enable the development of sustainable and age-friendly communities, ensuring seniors can live meaningful, independent lives for as long as possible. It addresses the challenge of integrating older people's capabilities for their benefit and that of their community. The desired outcomes include creating age-friendly environments and promoting the well-being and independence of older adults. Key agencies involved in developing and implementing the policy include the Norwegian Directorate of Health and various ministries, with the Ministry of Health being the primary responsible body. The Centre collaborates with businesses, organizations, and researchers, and operates within a national network of municipalities. The scope covers 216 cities and communities, including Oslo and Trondheim, which are also part of the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities. Specific means to achieve these goals include the implementation of reforms such as "A full life - all your life" and "Community and independence - live safely at home," which focus on age-friendly development until 2030. The Centre's work is based on a national strategy launched in 2016, emphasizing collaboration across sectors to support the aging population. The Centre's initiatives ensure that older persons can contribute to and benefit from their communities, enhancing their quality of life.

The Norwegian Strategy for Skills Policy 2017-2021 aims to ensure that individuals and businesses possess the skills necessary for a competitive business sector, an efficient public sector, and an inclusive labour market. It addresses challenges such as technological advances, climate change, globalisation, immigration, and an ageing population, which affect skills needs across all employment areas. The strategy seeks to promote lifelong learning, enhance skills among adults with weak labour market attachment, and ensure informed choices for individuals and society. Key agencies involved include various Norwegian ministries, the Sami Parliament, social partners, and the Norwegian association for Adult Learning (VOFO). The strategy targets the entire adult population, with a focus on those with poor basic skills, low formal education, and poor Norwegian or Sami language skills. To achieve its goals, the strategy emphasizes better coordination of skills policy, improved career guidance, stronger cooperation between education and the labour market, and the development of flexible training programs. For older persons, the strategy highlights the importance of lifelong learning to adapt to changing skills demands, promoting mobility to remain in employment longer, and providing targeted career guidance to help seniors meet new labour market requirements.

The Norwegian Government's strategy, "More Years – More Opportunities," aims to create an age-friendly society by leveraging the resources and participation of older people. It addresses challenges such as longer working lives, age-friendly communities, and reducing age discrimination. The strategy seeks to achieve outcomes like increased employment among older people, better health and functional abilities, and enhanced social participation. Key agencies involved include various ministries, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and Innovation Norway. The strategy targets the entire population, with a focus on those aged 60 and older. To achieve its goals, the strategy promotes longer working lives through professional development and flexible HR policies, supports age-friendly local communities with better planning and transport, and encourages volunteering and civil society engagement. It also emphasizes innovation and technology to enhance independence and health, and fosters research on active ageing. Specific measures include updating rules, counteracting negative attitudes, adopting new technology, and providing better facilitation for activity and participation. The strategy underscores the importance of user involvement and international cooperation to develop a comprehensive policy on ageing.

The "Live Your Whole Life" reform by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services aims to improve the quality of life for older persons by ensuring they receive the health and care they need, remain active, and participate in their communities. It addresses challenges such as inadequate services, loneliness, poor nutrition, and fragmented care. The desired outcomes include better health, increased life mastery, and greater security for older persons, as well as support for family caregivers and improved working conditions for health personnel. The reform was developed and is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Care Services, in collaboration with local municipalities, health trusts, and volunteer organizations. It targets older persons over 65, living at home or in institutions. To achieve its goals, the reform proposes 25 specific solutions, including daily activities, community contact persons, better meal options, systematic nutritional measures, and improved healthcare services. It also emphasizes the importance of an age-friendly society, proactive services, and continuity of care. The reform is supported by a national and regional network to guide and assist municipalities in planning and implementing these solutions.