This is one of the main findings revealed by the report presented by the European Commission on 16 December on the progress of the Ambient Assisted Living joint programme. The report highlights very high levels of involvement by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in projects as well as strong levels of financial support by participating countries, and makes some recommendations to ensure ongoing positive results.

The Commission's first evaluation of the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) joint programme is based on the conclusions, issued the same day, of a high level panel chaired by former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, which reviewed the AAL JP against the wider context of innovation responding to demographic challenges.

The report of the Interim review of the AAL Joint programme is addressed to the European Parliament and Council of Ministers and is an important step to reinforce the AAL JP, one of the key actions of the Digital Agenda for Europe, which is also a major contribution to the forthcoming pilot European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing.

The report indicates that the joint programme has been very successful in uniting the 23 participating countries around a pressing societal challenge and filling a gap between advanced research and large scale market roll-out solutions for active and independent living. The AAL JP success is also enhanced by the substantial level of financial investment by participating countries. In 2009 this was 50% more than the minimum level originally foreseen. Another decisive indicator of success is the very strong participation of SMEs in project consortia (more than 40%.

The programme develops new solutions that are ready for use on the market within two to three years. More than 50 research and innovation projects in the areas of chronic disease management and social interaction of seniors have been launched since 2008. Examples include robots performing household chores while helping the person to remain connected to their social surroundings and 'smart home' environments that respond to their inhabitants' movements and behaviour to make their lives easier.

Some Commission's recommendations to enhance results from the AAL joint programme

To maximise the programme’s positive output, the Commission recommends closer and more meaningful involvement of end-users when solutions are being designed. More consistent eligibility and financing rules should also minimise operational hiccups and delays that sometimes affect the smooth progress of projects.

The Commission will also work to set up financing arrangements to bridge the gap between the ‘pilot phase’ and large market uptake. This includes further supporting the AAL Investment Forum, and taking into account the possible contribution of the AAL JP to the pilot European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, which was announced at the presentation of the Innovation Union flagship initiative. The association will address barriers to large scale uptake of innovation that responds to the challenges of demographic ageing.

The Commission will also further strengthen ties between the AAL JP, the other EU-funded research and innovation programmes and the 2012 Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity.

On the basis of this report, the Commission will now discuss with the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers the next steps in implementing these proposed actions and the continuation of the programme beyond its initial expiry date of 2013.