Call for Applications – Age Friendly Ireland Awards

This is the third annual Awards event for the Age Friendly Ireland Programme and the awards ceremony will be held amid a two day schedule of events in Monaghan (more to follow). The primary aim of these awards is to recognise and reward achievement in age friendly initiatives around Ireland. We are calling for organisations, individuals, agencies and communities to submit applications on projects or programmes that they consider to be age friendly.

This year, eight categories of awards, aligning to the WHO themes, have been chosen as they have a meaningful impact on the lives of older people, planning and creating a sustainable Ireland for all.

The categories are: (WHO theme in brackets)

1. AGE FRIENDLY TRANSPORT AWARD (Transportation)
Getting to where you want to go when you want to go is so important to so many older people. This category recognises the vital difference that access to good quality and reliable transport options can make to an older person.

2. AGE FRIENDLY ACTIVE AND HEALTHY AGEING AWARD (Community Support and Health Services)
We are living for longer, but remaining healthy and active in later years can be a real challenge. This award recognises those initiatives that optimise opportunities for good health in later years, so that older people can continue to play an active role in community life.

3. AGE FRIENDLY BUSINESS INNOVATION AWARD (Civic Participation and Employment)
We know that creating an enjoyable and accessible environment for older consumers pays dividends for businesses and the wider community. This category acknowledges age aware businesses who recognise that older people are both producers and consumers and bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our society.

4. AGE FRIENDLY SAFETY AND SECURITY AWARD (Housing)
Feeling safe and secure at home and when out and about greatly enhances the lives of older people. This category acknowledges the impact of community based responses that enable older people to feel secure in their homes and in the wider community, and to know what to do when they don’t.

5. AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNICATION AWARD (Communication and Information)
A lack of access to information is often cited as a barrier to ‘ageing well’ in Ireland. The ability to access clear and concise information can impact on a range of aspects of an older person’s life, from health and wellbeing to social connectedness to financial security. This award recognises efforts being made around the country to bridge the information gap.

6. AGE FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT AWARD (Outdoor Spaces and Buildings)
The built environment has a unique impact on the lives of all older people. Simple things like adequate public seating, level footpaths and appropriate crossing times at pedestrian crossings all have a huge impact on the ability of older people to be active in their towns and villages. This category recognises projects that bring about change in the built physical environment with older people in mind.

7. AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY INNOVATION AWARD (Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion)
The voice of the older person is at the heart of the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme, the Programme is designed and implemented with them and not for them. This award recognises those innovative projects that are driven by older people for older people. These projects not only enhance the lives of older people, but benefit the community at large.

8. AGE FRIENDLY HOUSING AWARD (Housing)
As people age they spend more time in their own homes. This means that older people’s quality of life, and thus their health, can depend on the appropriateness of their home environment and the conditions in which they live. This award recognises innovative housing initiatives that enable older people to remain independent for as long as possible.

We will be welcoming initiatives at both local and national level. We are seeking innovative projects from across this range of areas that have real impact and have the potential to be showcased and replicated.
Applications are now open and you’ll find a link to the application form below, applications can now be edited!

As previously, the judging panel will be made up of a team of age friendly practitioners including older people who will evaluate all proposals and shortlisted projects will be invited to Ireland’s Age Friendly Recognition and Achievements Awards ceremony which will be held on 10th April 2018 in Monaghan.  Each category will be sponsored by a senior stakeholder from across all our key departments and agencies.