In March 2013, Oliveira de Azeméis  joined the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

We have developed our work based on three main strategic goals:

• participation/representation;
• social support;
• promoting healthy life styles.

We have started a very structured and committed programme of work directed at seniors in 2004, defending active policies and actions to improve the quality of life of older people in our community.

In more than ten years of work, we have been developing several programmes and activities, such as:

• Sports Program “Better Living” – 2004;
• Municipal Senior Card – 2004;
• Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration of Azeméis – 2005;
• Program “AjudaLar”, for small household repairs in the homes of the elderly – 2005;
• Program “Go Further Afield”, senior tourism – 2006;
• “City Council for the Elderly” – 2010, advisory body to debate the social and cultural problems of the elderly;
• “Municipal Network of Senior Groups” – 2012, informal meeting groups to promote participation and leisure activities;
• Project “Caring for the caregivers” – 2009, aimed at informal caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients;
• Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities – 2012;
• Project “A voice with a smile” – 2012, a youth volunteering project to support isolated elderly;
• Municipal Program for European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations – 2012;
• “The Senior Helpline” – 2012, telephone line and referral service directed to the elderly;
• Program “Active Azeméis”, for promoting table games and traditional games;
• “Dance Program” – 2015, ballroom dancing; and such a wide range of sport activities, tours, IT actions and other activities.

Our work is based on close cooperation and partnership, developed by the Social Network of Oliveira de Azeméis, local council that includes 69 member organizations, which are responsible for the strategic policies and documents that guide the social intervention – Social Diagnosis and Social Development Plan.