The AAL (so far Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme) is a funding activity that aims to create better condition of life for the older adults and to strengthen the industrial opportunities in Europe through the use of information and communication technology (ICT). It carries out its mandate through the funding of across-national projects (at least three countries represented) that involves small and medium enterprises (SME), research bodies and user’s organizations (representing the older adults). The programme is financed by the European Commission and the 22 countries that constitute the Partner States of this Joint Programme.
The specific aims are to:
• Foster the emergence of innovative ICT-based products, services and systems for ageing well;
• Create a critical mass of research, development and innovation at EU level;
• Improve conditions for industrial exploitation;
The programme is strongly focused on the user involvement and on the orientation to market of its projects. End users are involved at all stages and the time to market is of 3 years after the end of the project.
