Slovakia has reached a major milestone in its preparation for demographic ageing. A non-repayable financial contribution agreement has been signed with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic for the SeniorInoHub – Innovation Hub for Seniors project. Its objective is to establish Slovakia’s very first innovation ecosystem dedicated to the Silver Economy.
- Slovakia launches SeniorInoHub, its first national hub dedicated to the Silver Economy.
- The project brings together public authorities, businesses, universities and non-profit organizations to address the challenges of population ageing.
- Backed by a €1.47 million budget over three years, it will develop innovations tested directly with older adults.
- Inspired in particular by Silver Valley, SeniorInoHub aims to establish a National Silver Economy Cluster in Slovakia.
- A Slovak delegation will attend the SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival 2026 in Cannes to strengthen international cooperation.
SeniorInoHub: The Innovation Hub for Seniors and the Silver Economy
SeniorInoHub brings together all key sectors—public authorities, government institutions, businesses, academia, and non-profit organizations—to deliver comprehensive responses to demographic challenges. The project places a strong emphasis on transferring international best practices and actively involving older adults in the design and testing of innovative solutions.
The project is led by a consortium of eight partners under the direction and coordination of the Institute of Active Living (Inštitút aktívneho bývania, n.o.). The consortium also includes the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region, the SOCIA Foundation, the University of Trnava, Tanius, n.o., ANTIK Telecom s. r. o., Kubus Pro, s. r. o., and Silvers, s. r. o., which also serves as the initiator of the Slovak ecosystem’s international integration with the European Silver Economy network.
For its launch, SeniorInoHub has been allocated a total budget of €1,474,644.72 to support its implementation over a 36-month period, from January 2026 to December 2028.
A Knowledge Platform for the Silver Economy
At the heart of the project is the Silver Economy Knowledge Platform, chaired by Marián Bača, which operates as an open network of experts connecting organizations from all sectors.
“Our goal is for Slovakia to move beyond simply preparing for population ageing and to begin actively transforming it into an opportunity. In nearly three years, we have succeeded in bringing together our first partners from the public, academic, business, and non-profit sectors, while also establishing international partnerships. The signing of the non-repayable financial contribution agreement with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic represents an opportunity for which we are deeply grateful to the Ministry—and I am confident that SeniorInoHub will become the foundation of Slovakia’s future National Silver Economy Cluster.”
Marián Bača, President of the Slovak Silver Economy Knowledge Platform (SeniorInoHub).
National Cluster for Supporting the Silver Economy in Slovakia
The project’s main activities include the creation of a knowledge platform and a community of practice, strengthening stakeholders’ capacities through training and networking events, mapping the needs of people aged 50+, 60+, and 70+, establishing a pilot “senior-friendly” ecosystem in the Banská Bystrica Region, and testing innovative products and services directly with older adults. The project also includes the transfer of international expertise, drawing inspiration in particular from the French innovation hub Silver Valley.
The project’s long-term vision is to transform this ecosystem into a National Cluster for Supporting the Silver Economy in Slovakia, following the model of established European structures. From its inception, the project has been built on the principles of inclusion, intergenerational solidarity, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Next step at the SilverEco Festival
This initiative also builds on the growing cooperation with SilverEco.org and the international Silver Economy ecosystem. A Slovak delegation will take part in the SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival 2026 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on 14–15 September 2026, where it also plans to sign a strategic cooperation agreement. In addition, it is preparing a comprehensive presentation of Slovakia through a dedicated “Slovakia Village” at the 2027 edition of the SilverEco Festival.
Published by the Editorial Staff on