SAFE Solutions for Age-Friendly Employer – NDPHS

SAFE Solutions for Age-Friendly Employer

Healthcare professionals representing age-friendly workplaces and sustainable nursing careers supported by the SAFE approach

Creating age-friendly workplaces that support longer, healthier working lives.

Age should not decide who gets to stay in the workforce. Working conditions, learning opportunities and workplace culture should enable people to keep contributing.

The Solutions for Age-Friendly Employer (SAFE) project brings together four partners from Estonia, Finland and Sweden to improve employment opportunities for people aged 55+, with a particular focus on health and social care.

Together with employers and employees, SAFE is developing and testing practical ways to support work ability, reduce age discrimination and strengthen cooperation between generations.

Why age-friendly workplaces matter

Health and social care services depend on experienced professionals. Yet demanding working conditions, inflexible arrangements and limited opportunities for development can make it difficult for people to continue working later in life.

Age-friendly workplaces recognise that employees’ needs and strengths change throughout their careers. They value experience, provide opportunities to learn and support physical and mental well-being. These practices help retain experienced staff while creating better working conditions for all generations.

 

Developing and testing the SAFE model

The project is developing a SAFE model to help organisations assess their age-friendliness, identify areas for improvement and introduce practical changes.

The model draws on research, discussions with employers and employees, and workplace piloting across the partner countries. Feedback from participating organisations helps the project team refine the approach and understand what works in everyday working life.

The work covers seven areas:

  • Work community: supportive relationships, inclusion and cooperation between generations.
  • Training and learning: opportunities to develop skills throughout working life.
  • Flexibility: working arrangements that respond to different needs and life situations.
  • Health and well-being: conditions that support physical and mental work ability.
  • Equality and fairness: equal treatment and opportunities, regardless of age.
  • Retirement: support for planning transitions towards retirement.
  • Management processes: leadership and organisational practices that support age-friendly working lives.

Turning workplace experience into policy recommendations

Workplace changes need support from wider employment policies and practices. SAFE is bringing together research, pilot experiences and expert contributions to develop policy recommendations for longer and more sustainable working lives.

Through a structured process of collecting, grouping and prioritising ideas, participants will help identify the changes that matter most. The resulting priority map will inform recommendations to decision-makers.

Sharing knowledge and practical experience

SAFE shares its learning through workshops, training, articles and the “SAFE and Sound: Workplaces for All Ages” podcast series.

These resources explore career development, attitudes towards ageing, psychological safety and cooperation between generations. They encourage employers, employees and policymakers to consider how working environments can support people at different stages of their careers.

Building on NDPHS work on active and healthy ageing

SAFE contributes to the NDPHS and EUSBSR Policy Area Health work on active and healthy ageing. It supports the implementation of the NDPHS Roadmap to improve the health and well-being of the ageing population, particularly by addressing ageism and barriers to participation in working life.

 

Lead partner: Tallinn University Haapsalu College, Estonia
Partners: Golden League (NGO), Estonia; Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland; NDPHS Secretariat, Sweden

Project-related articles

2026

2025

2024

 

The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund through Interreg Central Baltic 2021-2027

 

  • Full name: Solutions for Age-Friendly Employer
  • Start date: 1 April 2024
  • End date: 30 May 2027
  • Financing agencies: European Regional Development Fund through Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021-2027
  • Budget:  1.005.991,75 €
  • Lead partner:
    • Tallinn University Haapsalu College, Estonia
  • Project partners:
    • Golden League, Estonia
    • Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
    • NDPHS Secretariat, Sweden