The people of Asia are living longer than ever, presenting a vast array of new challenges and new opportunities that all sectors of society—government, business, civil society, and communities—are just beginning to explore and address. 

The Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation seeks to recognize and amplify innovative policies, programs, services, and products that address these and many other challenges facing aging societies. The objective is to highlight cutting-edge ideas that people throughout the region can emulate or access.

Innovations must be a policy, program, service, or product that falls into one of three categories: 

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

New technologies and techniques that encourage healthy and productive aging, that improve the way that older persons receive care, or that provide greater efficiency, safety, and/or convenience for older persons and caregivers

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES

Community-based approaches—including inter-generational approaches—to keeping older adults healthy, active, engaged, and/or safe

SUPPORTING SELF-RELIANCE

New ways to help older adults maintain, improve, or restore physical and mental functions, that assist them and their caregivers as those functions deteriorate, or that build resilience

ELIGIBILITY

The following requirements pertain to all applicants and nominated organizations (collectively referred to as “nominees” below):

• Nominees must be an organization; individuals are not eligible. Nominees may not be central government ministries/departments or international organizations.
• Organizations may apply themselves or be nominated by a third party. (Nominators must have nominees consent to apply.)
• Nominees must be based in an ASEAN member country or in China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan), Japan, or South Korea.
• Nominees must be willing to share their experience with others and must be willing to respond to inquiries from those in other countries to the best of their ability.
• Nominees must be in good legal standing and have no record of criminal or ethical violations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Nominated innovations will be expected to match at least four of the eight general criteria below in addition to the relevant category-specific criteria to be eligible for the award (not all general criteria will be applicable, depending on the type of innovation):

General Criteria

• Is the innovation focused on extending healthy and meaningful lives, or on the provision of care to older adults? [Required]
• Does the innovation represent a creative and/or unique approach to an aging-related issue? [Required]
• Has the innovation demonstrated, or can it be expected to achieve, some broad-based impact and/or outcomes?
• Does the innovation provide a cost-efficient and effective response to the issue it seeks to address?
• Does the innovation contribute to human resource development through capacity-building and training components?
• Is the innovation accessible and inclusive?
• Have manuals or other instructional materials been created that would allow the innovation to be implemented or utilized elsewhere?
• Is the innovation scientifically sound and/or evidence based?

Category-Specific Criteria
Applicants will select one category most appropriate to the nominated innovation.

Technology & Innovation
New techniques and technologies that encourage healthy and productive aging, that improve the way that older persons receive care, or that provide greater efficiency, safety, and/or convenience for older persons and caregivers

• Has the innovation already been put into practical use and has it been introduced or made available for sale?
• Does the innovation provide an effective and efficient solution to an aging-related issue?

Community-Based Initiatives
Community-based approaches—including inter-generational approaches—to keeping older adults healthy, active, engaged, and/or safe

• Is the local community actively involved in the initiative?
• Is the innovation having a widespread impact that has extended throughout the community or beyond?
• Does the innovation promote social inclusion and/or assist those who are socially vulnerable?

Supporting Self-Reliance
New ways to help older adults maintain, improve, or restore physical and mental functions, that assist them and their caregivers as those functions deteriorate, or that build resilience

• Does the innovation promote independence in the activities of daily living for those whose physical and/or mental functions are in decline?
• And/or does the innovation engage individuals earlier in the lifecycle to help prevent such a decline and build resilience?

HOW TO APPLY/NOMINATE AN INNOVATION

To apply or nominate an innovation, download a form here, fill it out, and email it back to us at ahwin@jcie.or.jp by the deadline.
Forms should include a description of the innovation, including the issue it addresses, the impact (physical, mental, social, or economic) it has had on the target audience, and what makes it innovative. Applications must be received by 5pm (JST) on Friday, March 6, 2020.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Awards will be announced in May 2020.
One Grand Prize will be selected in each category and additional finalists will be selected as Honorable Mention awardees.

All winners will receive a commemorative award and their innovations will be featured prominently on the AHWIN website. (Note: Awardees may be asked to provide further information, photographs, etc., for the website coverage.)
The Grand Prize winner in each category will be invited to attend the 2020 AHWIN Forum (date TBD)
Travel and accommodation costs will also be covered for one representative of the awardee organization. In addition, opportunities will be provided for the Grand Prize winners to carry out site visits in Japan.

Source: https://www.ahwin.org/award