The European Social Network is a partner in this 42 month project ending in June 2026 led by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, funded by the EU's Interreg North Sea Region Programme.
The ACE project aims to tackle 2 main challenges: the growing need for home care, due to an ageing population and new demands; and overload of caregivers, due to shortages of personnel and high demand.
The main objective is to accelerate innovations in the home care ecosystem in the North Sea Region, by:
- Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
- Developing skills for smart specialization, industrial transition, and entrepreneurship.
ACE will implement 3 interconnected project phases:
Phase 1 - ACE Defining the Future
- Joint identification of the needs and technological opportunities for "Smart Home Care of the Future."
- Identifying pressing home care demands in the North Sea Region, together with technologies that can tackle them (e.g., wearables, pill dispensers). To do so, stakeholders analyse the potential for innovation uptake (usability, cost, design) in a single, transnational report.
Phase 2: ACE Accelerating the Future
- Drive 30+ innovations closer to the "Smart Home Care of the Future" (trialling 7-8 or more) through the establishment of transnational connections and innovative prototyping in real home care environments.
- These innovations contribute towards addressing the challenges co-identified in the Quadruple-helix Workshops.
Phase 3- ACE Adapting to the Future
- Supporting care professionals to adapt to technology and implement good practices.
- Define the 20+ critical adaptations that home care providers require to adopt innovations
- Promote procedures applicable across the North Sea Region, reducing differences in home care service.
- Share the findings between policymakers in the North Sea Region.
ESN supports the engagement of municipalities/regions from the 7 countries in the North Sea Region and involve public and private care providers from the centre and north of Europe.
In Phase 1, ESN will support the involvement of local policy makers from the North Sea Region to take part in Quadruple-Helix Workshops, to co-define the needs and solutions of the future.
In Phase 2, ESN will facilitate the piloting of innovations in these areas through the engagement of municipalities from the North Sea Region.
In Phase 3, ESN will support knowledge exchanges between care providers through exchange events organised during the lifetime of the project.
ESN will also facilitate the dissemination of the results of the project through our network of public authorities.
Uncovering homecare needs and challenges across Europe
A new report detailing the findings from ACE's nine workshops sheds light on the primary needs and challenges facing homecare in Europe.
The ACE project was initiated to tackle the mounting pressures on healthcare systems in the North Sea (NS) region, driven by its ageing population. Our objective is to accelerate the adoption and implementation of homecare technologies for older adults in NS countries while addressing the most pressing challenges.
One of the initial activities of the project involved hosting nine workshops across five countries (Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France), gathering 193 representatives from governmental bodies, academia, SMEs, care organisations, informal and formal care providers, as well as older adults. By engaging various representatives of society, a nuanced understanding of these challenges could be obtained.
The workshops aimed to identify the major challenges and needs for both older adults and formal caregivers across this region, as well as country-specific challenges. By understanding these aspects, the ACE projects activities will foster the adoption of new home care technologies.
The outcomes of the workshops have been summarised in a new report co-authored by ACE consortium members Coosje Hammink and Prof. dr. Masi Mohammadi of HAN University of Applied Sciences.
The report delves into the variances and similarities among the participating countries, the primary challenges concerning digital literacy, issues related to growing demand and demographics, opportunities to bridge the digital divide, and the diverse impacts on various stakeholder groups, among other topics.
The main conclusions highlight that piloting homecare technology across different countries necessitates a multifaceted approach that respects each country's unique regulatory, financial, cultural, and infrastructural landscapes. The successful implementation of these technologies hinges not only on the innovations themselves but also on how well they are integrated into existing healthcare ecosystems. Recognising these complexities and tailoring the pilot projects accordingly is crucial for their success and for making a meaningful impact on the lives of older adults.
It is essential to work closely with local stakeholders, ensuring that initiatives are adaptable and responsive to the specific needs and conditions within each region. This collaboration, combined with a commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation, is vital for overcoming the challenges of deploying homecare technology in diverse settings. By approaching these initiatives with flexibility and a deep understanding of the local contexts, we can significantly enhance the adoption and effectiveness of homecare solutions, ultimately improving the quality of life for older adults across Europe.
Together, let’s pioneer homecare innovation in the North Sea region!
Read the full report here
If you have a question for the ACE team, get in touch!
For more information, contact José Iglesias at jose.iglesias@esn-eu.org