We are pleased to present the guide “Age-Friendly Communities: How Cities and Municipalities Are Creating a Better Future for All Generations”. The publication is currently available in Polish, and work is underway towards preparing an English-language version to make Polish experiences and local good practices accessible to a wider international audience.
The guide is built around one central idea: age-friendly policies are not only about older adults. They are about creating better places to live for everyone. Accessible public spaces, safe and reliable transport, suitable housing, social participation, inclusive services and clear communication strengthen communities across all generations.
Inspired by the WHO framework for age-friendly cities and communities, the guide presents concrete examples of initiatives already being implemented in Polish local governments. It shows that meaningful change is possible in communities of different sizes, with different resources and institutional capacities.
The publication covers key areas of age-friendly local policy, including:
- accessible and affordable housing,
- age-friendly transport and mobility,
- social participation and intergenerational integration,
- health, care and community support services,
- communication, information and digital inclusion,
- public spaces designed with accessibility, safety and dignity in mind.
A separate chapter is devoted to the situation of older refugees, with particular attention to their needs, vulnerabilities and access to support within local communities. This part of the guide highlights the importance of including older people with migration and refugee experience in age-friendly policies, especially in the context of crisis response, social integration, healthcare, housing, information and community-based support.
The guide also addresses broader strategic challenges linked to population ageing, including urban planning, labour markets, public services, social policy and local governance. It underlines that preparing for demographic change requires cooperation between local governments, researchers, public institutions, healthcare professionals, NGOs, businesses and residents themselves.
One of the strengths of the guide is its practice-oriented character. Rather than presenting age-friendly policy as an abstract concept, it draws on real initiatives operating in Polish cities and municipalities: activity centres, supported housing models, volunteer transport services, educational programmes, digital inclusion projects, initiatives counteracting loneliness and activities strengthening social participation.
At the same time, the publication emphasises that creating age-friendly communities must begin with listening to older residents. Everyday experiences matter: access to a bench in a park, the safety of public transport, the availability of local services, opportunities for social contact, and the possibility to remain active, independent and involved in community life.
The guide also highlights the importance of intergenerational solidarity. Ageing should not be seen only through the lens of healthcare or social assistance, but as a natural and active stage of life. By promoting respect, inclusion and participation, local communities can challenge stereotypes about ageing and build stronger relations between generations.
The guide is intended for a wide audience: local governments, urban planners, architects, NGOs, healthcare professionals, researchers, educational institutions, businesses, community leaders and all those interested in building more inclusive, accessible and sustainable communities.
We invite you to read the guide, learn from the examples presented and join us in creating communities that are better prepared for demographic change — and better places to live for all generations.
👉 doi.org/10.26106/9788367127714
👉 Full version of publication avaliable in JU Repository
