Silver Surfer Call for Project - Experimentation Edition
About this good practice
Launched in 2015, the "Silver Surfer" call for projects is a leading initiative in the Silver economy, inviting companies, associations, and healthcare professionals to propose innovations addressing the challenges of an aging population.
Recent editions of Silver Surfer have shifted to focus on themes based on a needs assessment by professionals working with seniors. What sets Silver Surfer apart is its involvement of end-users in selecting innovations, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to the specific ergonomic, practical, and economic needs of both independent seniors living at home and those with reduced autonomy in communal settings.
In 2023, Eurasanté advanced its approach by gathering needs from over twenty senior care and support establishments. These needs shaped the call for projects, allowing applicants to propose solutions for priority issues and test them in voluntary experimentation areas such as nursing homes and at-home services. The four key themes were: improving the ergonomics of everyday objects, facilitating communication, preventing malnutrition, and enhancing mobility to encourage autonomy.
The prize for the 3 winners included testing their innovations with a network of over fifty medico-social establishments, funding for prototype development, potential incubation at Eurasenior, support from BPI France and ergonomics experts, and exhibition opportunities in showrooms, all aimed at accelerating their product and project development.
Resources needed
Strong partnerships including institutional and funding partners (HDF Region, Dpt North, Bpifrance, etc.), users and carers (care home services), economic representatives, and ergonomics consultancies supporting projects. A budget of 150000€ is required for the implementation of the program.
Evidence of success
Silver Surfer in numbers:
• 9 editions organized;
• Nearly 170 application files received;
• Nearly 50 proofs of concept funded;
• 31 finalists supported in the development of their product or service;
• 28 themes related to aging and loss of autonomy
Since it was first launched, the Silver surfer call for projects has enabled a number of solutions to be tested with seniors and/or carers and improved following their feedback. A number of projects have become real success stories.
Potential for learning or transfer
The “Silver Surfer” project offers valuable insights for other European regions by focusing on end-users, especially seniors and their carers, ensuring innovations meet their needs. This participative approach boosts the adoption and effectiveness of solutions.
Key success factors include the involvement of a wide range of partners, from structures supporting senior citizens to economic players and ergonomics experts. This multi-sectoral collaboration enables us to benefit from a variety of resources and perspectives, enhancing the quality and relevance of the projects selected.
The call for projects offers full support to winners, including real-life trials, funding and incubation opportunities, facilitating the transition from idea to concrete implementation, and accelerating the development of innovations.
In terms of potential transfer, challenges include the need to adapt solutions to specific local contexts and ensure effective collaboration between different regional players.
Further information
Good practice owner
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