A project Solutions for Age-friendly Employer (SAFE) receives funding from the Interreg Central Baltic – NDPHS

Project SAFE kick-off, Tallinn, Estonia @TallinnUniversity

A project Solutions for Age-friendly Employer (SAFE) receives funding from the Interreg Central Baltic

17 April, 2024

It is no secret that today people are living longer than ever before, which is one of the greatest health-related achievements. As a result of the demographic change, we have more older adults in the labour market which comes with its advantages but also brings challenges. The Solutions for Age-Friendly Employer (SAFE) project aims at strengthening and improving employment opportunities for older employees (55+), specifically focusing on the health and wellness sectors. It has been observed that among others, these sectors in particular have high numbers of ageing workers.

On April 15 the project consortium from the Tallinn University Haapsalu College (Estonia), a non-profit organization Golden League (Estonia), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), and the NDPHS Secretariat met in Tallinn University to kick off the project and begin the implementation of its activities. The project has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the NDPHS thematic priority areas – active and healthy ageing and mental health. The initiative is a step toward implementing the NDPHS Roadmap to improve the health and well-being of the ageing population.

To support the ageing population in the labour market, the project will develop a SAFE model with best practices for age-friendly employers. During its piloting stage, the model will cultivate an age-friendly work culture and provide employers with an interactive self-assessment. Providing information to companies about age-friendly practices is a first step towards a positive change. The feedback collected from employers and employees will help us to identify challenges and areas for improvement for an age-friendly work environment. The project is planned to last for 3 years and will culminate with a final SAFE model that will be disseminated across borders to key stakeholders, including policymakers, public and private health authorities, and regional health experts.

 

Project partners

 

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

Other News
Helsinki EPIC Workshop develops three ideas for transnational cooperation on crisis preparedness
At the third EPIC workshop in Helsinki, occupational safety and health experts developed three project ideas to strengthen workforce resilience and crisis preparedness. Building on earlier discussions in Tallinn, they explored opportunities for transnational cooperation.
25 September, 2026
Arts on Prescription project for being shortlisted for the European Social Services Awards 2026
Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region has been shortlisted in the Public Sector Collaboration in Social Services category. The nomination recognises the project’s strong cross-sectoral and transnational partnership and its work to advance arts-based approaches to mental health and well-being.
21 September, 2026
ArtWell NET Meets in Ukraine: Two-Way Learning Through Arts, Health and Resilience
The third international meeting of the Arts for Health and Well-being Network (ArtWell NET) brought partners from Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Estonia together in Kolomyia, Ukraine. The meeting focused on how the Baltic Arts on Prescription model could be adapted to the Ukrainian context and what the wider Baltic Sea Region can learn from Ukraine’s experience of supporting mental health during wartime.
21 September, 2026
Internship Programme 2026/27
The NDPHS Secretariat in Stockholm is offering paid internships for 2026–2027. Gain hands-on experience in an international environment while contributing to public health, mental health and health-promotion activities.
21 September, 2026
Arts on Prescription: Estonia Explores the Positive Side Effects of Connection and Belonging
Arts on Prescription has now become part of the public discussion in Estonia. At the 2026 Opinion Festival in Paide, the Estonian Coalition for Mental Health and Well-being VATEK invited representatives from healthcare, public health, culture, local government and policymaking to explore what the approach could look like in the Estonian context.
10 September, 2026
ASA Expert Group Meeting in Tallinn Explores the Future of Alcohol and Substance Use Policy in the Baltic Sea Region
The 30th Meeting of the NDPHS Alcohol and Substance Use Expert Group (ASA EG) was held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 17–18 June 2026. Experts from the Baltic Sea Region, together with representatives from WHO Europe, the Nordic Welfare Centre, NordAN, Movendi International and the NDPHS Secretariat, discussed alcohol policy, tobacco control, nicotine products, drug policy, prevention and regional public health cooperation.
26 June, 2026
Research Backs the SAFE Approach: Six Ways to Keep Experienced Nurses in Work
Based on a master's thesis and a review of international studies, the research identifies six key factors that help retain experienced nurses in the workforce: supporting physical work ability, flexible scheduling, mental resilience, a supportive work environment, recognition and role renewal, and continuous professional development. The findings reinforce SAFE's mission to create age-friendly workplaces that enable longer, healthier, and more sustainable careers.
25 June, 2026
Can Arts Improve Mental Health? Baltic Sea Region Experts Showcase Creative Solutions for Well-being
Policy Area Health of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) together with the Estonian Mental Health Coalition (VATEK), organised the Arts on Prescription (AoP) Estonian National Transfer Webinar bringing together experts, policymakers, cultural practitioners, and health professionals to explore how arts and cultural participation can support mental health and well-being and to consider what it would take to bring Arts on Prescription to Estonia.
18 June, 2026
All News >