Silver Economy Network

The SEN@ER - Silver Economy Network of European Regions is a joint initiative of European regions initiated by the region of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany).

This European initiative regards the ageing of our society not as a threat but rather as a challenge and an opportunity for regional economic growth and for improving Europe's competitiveness. To realise this, the Silver Economy Network of European Regions (SEN@ER) has been established as a European-wide network of regions to promote the development and marketing of innovative products and services aimed at this new market segment, thereby contributing to regional development and job creation.

Comprising of representatives of the following regions: North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), the lead partner, Saxony Anhalt (Germany), German speaking part of Belgium, Gelderland (Holland), Limburg (Holland), Kent (UK), Piemonte (Italy), Varese (Italy), Crete (Greece), Finland, Navarra (Spain), Midland and Mid-East (Ireland), East of England, London, Slovenia, Andalucia (Spain).   

Network has two complementary objectives: 

• To exploit regional economic development opportunities offered by the emerging silver economy (i.e. by developing new products and services which are required to meet the needs of this market). This could include new tourism products, new financial services, new housing and architecture, new health services and new media and communications (enabling technologies for independent living, virtual retirement home, tele-health monitoring, etc..). Meeting the needs of this emerging older market is considered important because it can create new economic opportunities for regions.
• Employment for older workers.