Age Friendly Cities
The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Age Friendly Cities program to better equip cities and villages for an aging society.
The starting point is simple: a municipality must be livable for everyone, regardless of age. This means accessible public space, suitable housing, safe traffic, good public transport, and a diverse range of social and cultural activities.
An age-friendly municipality actively involves residents in policy, strengthens their self-reliance, and prevents loneliness by stimulating social interaction. Facilities and services are designed so that older adults can continue to live independently and with a high quality of life for longer.
What 50PLUS wants to do
50PLUS is committed to fully embracing the WHO framework locally. The party wants to invest in accessible neighborhoods, age-proof housing (‘lifespan-proof housing’), and better mobility for less mobile residents.
Furthermore, 50PLUS is advocating for structural combating of loneliness through community centers, social interaction programs, and volunteer initiatives. The party also wants older adults to be systematically involved in municipal policy through advisory councils and citizen panels.
Through this commitment, 50PLUS wants to ensure municipalities that not only support older adults but also actively take their voice seriously and sustainably improve their living environment.
General Assembly
In 2025, JNF organised the General Assembly of the IED. The 35 participants from various EU countries were offered a programme – surrounding the GA – that introduced them to The Hague – the city of international Peace and Justice – and the Peace Palace as the seat of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice of the United Nations, and The Hague Academy of International Law.
In 2024, in the run-up to the EP elections, JNF organised a meeting in Helmond with all 50 EU candidates on behalf of 50PLUS, with contributions from the Association of Pensioners Abroad (VBNGB), the Older Women’s Network NL (OVN/NL), AGE, and IED. Attention was given to the AGE manifesto, as well as to the problems experienced by pensioners living abroad. The Manifesto offers clear guidelines for elderly themes in European politics. Finally, the WHO concept of Age-Friendly Cities (such as Helmond!) was explained.
In 2021 and 2022, JNF organised meetings aimed at promoting the political engagement of the elderly and specifically focused on the situation of the elderly in Europe. In 2023, we had a larger seminar in the meeting room of the EK (First Chamber/Senate), with participation from Europe (AGE and IED), Brazil, Hungary, and the Netherlands.