Knowledge exchange on Smart Care is also taking place at a European level. The province of Noord-Brabant is taking part in two European partnerships: PEOPLE and the e-He@lth network of the Assembly of European Regions (AER). Furthermore, Smart Care is using its contacts in Brussels to make the most of the opportunities available to partners from Brabant to benefit from European funding and regional knowledge exchange, for example, through the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programme of the European Commission.
PEOPLE
PEOPLE is a three-year project involving seven European regions that exchange their knowledge and experiences of innovating solutions for demographic changes. The province contributes to this project with its Smart Care and Liveable Neighbourhoods projects. Through several international conferences, study visits and good practices, the regions share their knowledge and experience. PEOPLE is part of the Interreg IVC project of the European Commission. Aside from Brabant, the regions of Andalusia, South East England, Stockholm, Venice, Timis and Malopolska are also involved in this project. From 2010, seven subprojects will become part of PEOPLE including two in which Brabant will participate.
AER
Within the e-He@lth network of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), a growing number of European regions are working together towards the exchange of knowledge and experience. These regions organise network meetings, seminars and working visits, and jointly set up international cooperation agreements. In 2009, the province hosted the annual AER network meeting, combined with a working visit to Smart Care projects in Brabant. In February 2010, Brabant will be sending a delegation of fourteen members to the ALEC2010 E-health conference on regional management in Norrbotten, Sweden to promote the use of ICT in care.