The City of Bern first conducted a survey on age-friendliness according to the WHO recommendations at the end of 2009. From the results of this survey, the city compiled its “Age Concept 2020” which now forms the basis of our age-friendly programme. The “Age Concept 2020” formulates a vision – the elderly citizens of Bern can shape their lives according to their individual means and needs, retaining their independence; they enjoy a high quality of life – plus strategic goals in eight action areas: dependability of supply; information, public relations, networking; livelihood security; living; public space; resources, potential and capabilities in old age; inter-generational relations; and future gerontological issues. In 2019 the city council formulated a new age concept for the years 2020 – 2030.

Measures for achieving these strategic goals were formulated for 2011-2014 and for 2015-2018. The Evaluation for 2011-2014 and for 2015-2018 are available. In 2013 and 2017 another survey was conducted among the elderly according to the WHO recommendations, and its results are being channelled into the evaluation of our age-friendly measures. The outcome of all these evaluations were of major importance for formulating the “Age Concept 2030” in 2019. All the documents can be downloaded (in German) from our website.

Internal and external networking plays a prime role in the implementation of our age-friendly measures. Hence, other municipal directorates are also involved, alongside the lead Directorate of Education, Social Welfare and Sport: Civil Engineering, Transport and Green Spaces; Finances, Personnel and IT; and the Mayor’s Office. The many external organisations, institutions for the elderly and outpatient service providers are key partners for an age-friendly city. Projects are always conducted jointly, and different networking platforms have been established. Senior citizens are involved through the survey conducted every four years, through participation in subject-based working groups and through the Senior Citizens’ Council. This was set up in 2007 and advises our executive.