SIMPEC-T: the first steps in a European project to provide better support for ageing
Launched in September 2025 as part of the Erasmus+ programme, the SIMPEC-T project is set against a European backdrop characterised by an ageing population and changing care needs.
Led by partners in France, Belgium, Slovenia and Romania, the project aims to bring together different perspectives, share best practices and develop solutions tailored to the specific circumstances of each region.
After several months of work, the first two mobility exchanges have already laid a solid foundation.
A first meeting in France, focusing on local initiatives
The first study visit took place in the Pays de la Loire region, in Le Mans. It gave the partners the opportunity to discover various local initiatives designed to support ageing.
Over the course of the meetings, several complementary approaches emerged: housing options promoting independence, regional coordination mechanisms, and discussions on the changing nature of jobs in the sector.
Beyond the examples presented, this visit highlighted above all the central role of local stakeholders. It is often at this level that concrete solutions are developed, directly in line with people’s needs.
In Slovenia, an integrated approach to care pathways
In February 2026, the partners met in Kranj, Slovenia, for a second study visit focusing on long-term care systems.
This visit provided a better understanding of the organisation of the Slovenian system, which is currently undergoing change, and an opportunity to discover facilities offering an integrated approach: home care, day care and residential care brought together within a single framework.
Discussions also covered the progression of loss of independence and the tools used in each country to assess needs and organise support.
Understanding needs in order to develop appropriate solutions
Prior to these mobility initiatives, a needs assessment was carried out across the various partner regions.
It highlights common trends: an increase in the number of older people, growing needs for support, and recruitment difficulties in the care sector.
Against this backdrop, the SIMPEC-T project aims to combine training, social innovation and European cooperation to offer practical and transferable solutions.
“Above all, this project enables us to gain a better understanding of the realities faced in each country and to learn from one another.” — A SIMPEC-T project partner
A framework for European cooperation
The project is based on a partnership bringing together organisations from a range of sectors: training, support services, regional development and the social economy.
This diversity enables the challenges of an ageing population to be addressed from multiple perspectives and facilitates the exchange of experiences between countries.
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Gaining a better understanding of tools for assessing dependency
Initial discussions between partners have also highlighted the differences between national support systems.
In France, for example, the GIR scale is used to assess the level of dependency among older people and to tailor support and care services accordingly.
A dedicated article examines in more detail how this tool works and its role in the care pathway for people losing their independence.
A dynamic in the making
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These initial steps mark the start of a collaborative effort that will continue over the coming months through further meetings, analyses and trials.
The project will continue to draw on discussions between partners and observations of practices on the ground to help shape the response to ageing in Europe.
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