Age-friendly Environments in Europe advancing local action for all ages

The Age-friendly Environments in Europe (AFEE) project was a joint initiative of the European Commission and WHO/Europe to accelerate progress towards more inclusive, supportive environments for healthy ageing throughout the life course. It built on decades of evidence, the experiences of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities , and local innovation, offering concrete tools and guidance to empower cities and communities across Europe.

A vision for an age-friendly Europe

AFEE envisioned a Europe where local environments enable people of all ages – especially older adults – to live with health, independence and dignity. Its overarching aim was to strengthen local action through practical guidance, evidence and political commitment for creating and sustaining age-friendly cities and communities.

This work helped to lay the foundation for the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) and will continue to support the implementation of the upcoming WHO European Strategy on Ageing is Living: Promoting a Lifetime of Health and Well-being (2026–2030) . These efforts recognize the critical role of local and regional governments in shaping equitable, resilient and inclusive societies for current and future generations.

What are age-friendly cities and communities?

Age-friendly cities and communities are central to building inclusive and enabling environments that support healthy ageing. The WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities provides a structure based on 3 interconnected clusters: physical environments, social environments, and health and care environments.

These are reflected in 8 key domains: outdoor spaces and buildings, transport, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. Together, these domains help guide cities and communities to identify priorities, take action and monitor progress towards becoming more age-friendly.

Core outputs

The AFEE project developed 3 key modules to guide local policy and action:

1. A European guide for age-friendly environments

Building on the WHO global age-friendly city guide and tailored to the European context, this guide integrates the latest scientific evidence with regional experience to help communities design and implement effective age-friendly policies.

2. Monitoring and evaluation tools

This module supports cities and communities in tracking progress using practical indicators, drawing from lessons learned across WHO networks and European initiatives.

3. Templates for municipal action plans

This module offers practical templates and guidance for designing local strategies that align with European Union and WHO frameworks, enabling structured commitments and sustainable progress towards healthy ageing.

Why local action matters

Local authorities shape the environments where people grow, age and live their daily lives. From access to health and social care to mobility, housing and social participation, municipalities play a decisive role in enabling older people to live actively and meaningfully in their communities.

The AFEE project has demonstrated how local engagement, backed by strong partnerships and clear tools, can drive forward the goal of age-friendly, inclusive and health-promoting societies across Europe.