This ex-ante evaluation follows a call from the Slovenian Presidency in 2008 for a European Year on Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity (2012). The Commission plans to adopt a proposal for a Decision by Parliament and Council on designating 2012 as European Year on Active Ageing. The Commission opted for the short title of active ageing which implies that intergenerational solidarity is to be seen as an outcome of active ageing which presents a key opportunity for preserving solidarity between generations.
In preparing the ex-ante evaluation, the Commission services have also asked for the views of key stakeholders regarding the orientation and implementation of the European Year In addition, the Commission services took into account evaluation results of previous European Years.
This ex-ante evaluation considers the different options for an initiative on promoting active ageing. The structure of the document is as follows:
- definitions and policy context,
- problem analysis and needs assessment,
- objectives,
- policy options,
- assessment of policy options,
- implementation of preferred option,
- monitoring and evaluation.
The option which has been selected by the Commission is a European Year without a specific budget coordinated and centralised by the Commission.
The purpose of a European Year would go beyond awareness-raising. It should be seen as the highlight of a major effort spanning the period 2011-2014 during which the EU would focus many of its existing programmes and policies on the issue of active ageing and put in place a framework in which new initiatives and partnerships supporting active ageing at all levels (Member State, regional, local, social partners, civil society) can be encouraged and publicised.