NATIONS UNIES ОБЪЕДИНЕННЫЕ НАЦИИ UNITED NATIONS _______ _______ _______

COMMISSION ÉCONOMIQUE ЕВРОПЕЙСКАЯ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ ECONOMIC COMMISSION

POUR L'EUROPE КОМИССИЯ FOR EUROPE

30 June 2016, Geneva

Statistical Division

Population Unit

Active Ageing Index II —

Further Development and Dissemination

Project Final Report

I. Introduction

1. This report presents the work undertaken by the United Nations Economic Commission

for Europe (UNECE), represented by the Population Unit, with support from two institutional

research consultants (University of Southampton, United Kingdom and Dortmund Technical

University, Germany) within the project “Active Ageing Index II — Further Development and

Dissemination” according to the European Union Contribution Agreement with International

Organization No. VS/2013/0268 (SI2.658499) (hereafter — the Agreement) and amendments

VS/2015/0061 and VS/2015/0290 (extending the project implementation period to 33 months)

to it. The report covers the period from 1 August 2013 to 30 April 2016 (with a few activities

ending in June 2016).

2. The work was carried out as per the agreed proposal for activities (Annex I to the

Agreement). The activities by the institutional consultants were implemented in accordance

with the terms of reference of the respective contracts — Institutional Contractor Agreement

No. OBIS 225 (and its amendment OBIS 251) between the United Nations Office at Geneva

and the Southampton University UK and the research service Purchase Order Number

2200034470 by the United Nations Office at Geneva to the Institute of Gerontology at the

Technical University of Dortmund. An associate expert/individual contractor/consultant was

engaged by UNECE from 16 January 2014 through 17 June 2016 to assist with the project’s

research activities and administration, and implement project coordination activities.

3. The project “Active Ageing Index II — Further Development and Dissemination” (AAI-

II) was an extension (second phase) of the work undertaken under the Active Ageing Index

(AAI) project first phase finalised in February 2013. The main objective of the second phase

(AAI-II) was to mainstream the use and applicability of AAI for evidence-based policymaking

and promote the index as a useful instrument for related analytical work and advocacy. The

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project activities were: further research and analysis, including geographical and time-wise

extension of AAI coverage; outreach to stakeholders and promotion of AAI use; and

communication about the index. See the Annex I to this report for the list of deliverables.

4. The UNECE Population Unit and the Southampton University had regular

teleconferences about ongoing work with DG EMPL. Eighteen such teleconferences were held

throughout the project period. Another two teleconferences were organised between UNECE

and DG EMPL to discuss the organisational matters. Additionally, two teleconferences were

held with the team from the Technical University of Dortmund on the pilot study at local level;

and six teleconferences — specifically devoted to the organisation of the International seminar

(see below for details), of which two — among the independent evaluation board with AAI

project team representatives as observers.

5. The research consultants and the project team worked in cooperation with the Expert

group on AAI, created during the first phase of the project and maintained throughout the

second phase, via email and face-to-face consultations at the regular meetings (see below for

more detail).

II. Main Activities

A. Research activities

6. The initial contract between the United Nations Office at Geneva and the Southampton

University (Institutional contractor agreement) was signed on 16 January 2014 for a one-year

period and it was extended in January 2015 until 30 November 2015. In accordance with the

Terms of Reference the Southampton University was responsible for: preparing a

methodological note and comprehensive data set for AAI indicators for Croatia and selected

non-EU UNECE countries; computing AAI for Croatia and four non-EU UNECE countries;

preparing a methodological note and comprehensive data set for AAI indicators for the

retrospective calculation (year 2007/2008) and computing AAI for the indicated year; preparing

a methodological note and data set for AAI indicators and computing AAI for the latest year

available (2014/2015); preparing a short analytical paper on trends in active ageing in Europe

and a set of contextual indicators/parameters for analysing the trends.

7. UNECE carried out pilot studies of AAI in two non-EU UNECE countries — Serbia and

Turkey — aiming at examining possibilities and impediments in calculating the index in the

countries where the practices of statistical data production differ from those of the EU

countries.

8. In the course of the project implementation more of methodological fine-tuning was

done. This, in particular, included revision of variables for four indicators (see below for

details) and setting up so-called goalposts (see below for details). Another additional research

activity was initiated to implement a pilot study of AAI at local level in Germany. The Institute

of Gerontology at the University of Dortmund was contracted by UNECE to carry out the study

(see below for more details).

1. Revisions of definitions of four AAI indicators

9. Following consultations with the Expert Group on AAI, definitions of four AAI

indicators were modified as follows:

• Indicators 2.1 (Voluntary activities) — the replies to the survey question taken into

account to calculate the indicator were changed from “at least once a month” to “at least

once a week” (based also on consultations with Eurofound).

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• Indicator 2.4 (Political participation) — was modified to take into account signing

petitions (based also on consultations with Eurofound).

• Indicator 3.1 (Physical exercise) — it was agreed to use a question from the European

Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) on physical activities instead of a questions from the

Special Eurobarometer 334.

• Indicator 3.7 (Physical safety) — it was decided to replace the question on worrying

about becoming a victim of violent crime with another one from the same survey

(European Social Survey) — about feeling safe walking alone after dark.

10. The methodology materials were revised accordingly and are available from the wiki-

page devoted to the AAI methodology. Additionally, a questionnaire with information on the

data sources and variables was prepared and uploaded to the wiki space.

2. Setting up the goalposts

11. The analysis of the AAI results against the maximum of 100 points was continuously

questioned both within the Expert Group on AAI and by external audience. Given a need for a

better way of interpreting AAI results the project team consulted the Expert Group, through the

period December 2014–February 2015, to identify the goalposts for the domain scores and the

overall index against which the analysis of AAI results would be more pertinent. The goalposts

were defined and presented for the first time in the analytical report (see below). The goalposts

were calculated based on the maximum value of each indicator among the countries (currently

the 28 EU countries) for either gender over a period in question (at the time 2008–2012).

3. Preparing a methodological note and comprehensive data set for AAI indicators for

Croatia and selected non-EU countries

12. A draft methodological note on data availability for Croatia, Iceland, Norway, and

Switzerland was shared by the Southampton University with the project team on 6 May 2014.

Data set for Croatia was ready in June 2014. At the same time data for selected indicators for

four non-EU countries were also shared with the project team.

13. Given the minor revisions of some of AAI indicators, available results were updated

through June 2015. The dataset for Croatia was integrated in the results of EU countries. See

below for more details on data availability for the four non-EU countries. The dataset for

Canada, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are available from the wiki space.

4. Computing the 2012 AAI levels for Croatia and selected four non-EU countries

14. 2012 AAI for Croatia was computed in June 2014 and updated through June 2015. The

calculations were also implemented for 2010 and 2014 AAI.

15. Given the lack of readily available data for Canada, Norway and Switzerland the work

of the research consultant included extensive consultations with national statistical offices and

other relevant agencies, as well as focal points on ageing in the named countries.

16. Computation of AAI for Canada turned out to be the most problematic given it is not

covered by any of the surveys used for calculation of AAI for the EU countries. The research

consultant worked closely with the Statistics Canada and the team of the Canadian Longitudinal

Study on Aging (CLSA). These provided data for the majority of the indicators for the year

2010 (that is for 2012 AAI). The indicator 3.6 No Severe material deprivation appeared not

possible to calculate; this, however, did not impede calculating the third domain score and the

overall AAI, given the weight of the indicator, and the fact that there are two more indicators

referring to the financial security, namely 3.4 and 3.5. The main data sources used for Canada

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are Labour Force Survey, Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics, National Household

Survey, Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), and General Social Survey.

17. Calculations for Iceland did not present difficulties as the country is covered with all the

same surveys the EU countries are. Data are missing for the indicators 2.1–2.4 and 4.3 for the

year 2007, as Iceland was not participating in the second wave of EQLS. Similarly, Iceland did

not participate in the fifth wave of ESS in 2010.

18. Calculations for Norway were somewhat limited by the fact that Norway was not

covered by the third wave of EQLS. The calculations are still possible on the basis of the 2007

EQLS. The research consultant also looked at possibilities of using alternative data sources for

the concerned indicators ESS, SILC, and Health Interview Survey were used.

19. Calculations for Switzerland were limited as the country did not participate in EQLS at

all. The research consultant worked in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Statistical Office and

the Swiss Foundation for Research in Social Sciences (FORS). The following sources were

used Freiwilligen-Monitors, 2009; Family and Generations survey, 2013; Health survey, 2012;

ESS; Special module of SILC, 2013.

5. Preparing a methodological note and comprehensive data set on AAI indicators and

computing AAI for previous years (2000, 2005 and 2010)

20. The data points in time were modified based on consultations with the Expert Group on

AAI to 2007/08; 2010; 2011/12 (2010 AAI, 2012 AAI, and 2014 AAI respectively). The data

sets were produced and methodological materials available on the wiki were updated with the

information on comparability of the indicators across years. For 28 EU countries:

• Draft results for 2010 AAI (mainly referring to year 2008) were produced in September

2014, and revised in December 2014.

• 2012 AAI results were revised and updated in April 2015.

• The first draft results for 2014 AAI were produced in July 2014. These results were

subsequently revised and updated through March 2015.

6. Preparing a methodological note and data set for AAI indicators and computing the

AAI levels for the latest year available (2014/2015)

21. The dataset of 2014 AAI results (based mostly on the data from year 2012) for 28 EU

countries was ready in November 2014. 2014 AAI was calculated for 28 EU countries.

A policy brief1 on these results was prepared over a period September–November 2014, and

presented to the Expert Group on AAI at its fourth meeting.

7. Preparing a short analytical paper on trends in active ageing in Europe and a set of

contextual indicators/parameters for analysing the trends

22. An analytical report2 was drafted over a period December 2014–April 2015, and

launched on 16 April 2015 at an International seminar “Building an evidence base for active

ageing policies: Active Ageing Index and its potential”. The report presented the 2014 AAI

results for 28 EU countries, their detailed analysis, some suggestions for possible improvements

for each country, and the analysis of trends over a four-year period (2008–2012). The analysis

1 Available from: http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/VI.+Documentation.

2 UNECE/ European Commission (2015) “Active Ageing Index 2014: Analytical Report”, Report prepared by

Asghar Zaidi of Centre for Research on Ageing, University of Southampton and David Stanton, under contract with

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Geneva), co-funded by European Commission’s Directorate

General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (Brussels). Available from:

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/VI.+Documentation.

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of AAI results was also implemented against three selected contextual indicators, i.e. gross

domestic product per capita, life satisfaction (based on EQLS), and Gini coefficient.

8. Carrying out two pilot studies of the AAI in selected UNECE non-EU countries

(Serbia and Turkey)

23. The AAI pilot studies for Serbia and Turkey were launched by the UNECE Population

Unit in May (Turkey) and June (Serbia) 2014. First results of the desk study were shared with

the national focal points on ageing and national statistical offices of the two countries in June

2014. First feedback was received during summer 2014. Preliminary results of the pilot study

(including a short background paper) were presented at the Fourth meeting of the Expert Group

on AAI and Seventh meeting of the Working Group on Ageing in November 2014.

24. The results of the desk study were revised according to the methodology changes (see

above) in summer 2015. The exchange with the national statistical offices continued through

March 2016.

25. A field visit to Ankara (Turkey) took place on 16–18 September 2015. During the visit a

number of bilateral consultations with the representatives of the Ministry of Family and Social

Policy, Hacettepe University, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and others took place.

On 17 September a one-day meeting hosted by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy was

held. It was attended by some 30 participants from different ministries, including Ministry of

Education, Ministry of Development, Turkish statistical institute (TSI), NGOs, and universities.

The pilot study preliminary results were presented by UNECE. Missing data or explanations for

the lack of data for some indicators were provided by the stakeholders, particularly by TSI; and

a number of solutions were suggested for filling data gaps. Following the field visit TSI

provided UNECE with additional data, particularly for the indicators based on the Turkish

Income and Living Conditions Survey (3.2, 3.4–3.6) for three data points in time, which made

it possible to calculate the third domain scores and subsequently the overall AAI.

26. The final report on the pilot studies results was prepared in March 2016. The report is

available from http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/VI.+Documentation.

9. Implementing a pilot study of AAI at a local level in Germany

27. The pilot study was implemented by a team of researchers from the Institute of

Gerontology at the University of Dortmund, contracted by UNECE. The main goal of the study

was to check the possibility to calculate AAI at local level in Germany. The calculations carried

our based on secondary data. The main difficulty was the absence of the data necessary to

calculate AAI indicators as per the original methodology. However, proxies were identified for

all the indicators. To compensate for the low number of respondents at local level and to

increase reliability of the results several data sources were used for most indicators (as opposed

to the original methodology). This means that the values for territorial entities cannot be

compared to the country value of AAI at EU level, but can be compared between themselves.

The final analysis included thirty territorial entities. The data set has been provided in an Excel

file form.

28. The final report “Extending the Active Ageing Index to the local level in Germany” and

the data set for the thirty territorial entities are available from the wiki-page at

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/VI.+Documentation.

B. Outreach to stakeholders and promotion of AAI use

29. This area of activities aimed at promoting the AAI use among relevant stakeholders,

including policymakers, researchers and civil society.

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1. Expert Group on Active Ageing Index

30. An independent Expert Group on the Active Ageing Index was convened by the UNECE

Population Unit within the first phase of the project. The Group brings together experts from

academia, national statistical agencies, policymakers and civil society and includes

representatives from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),

the European Commission, and UNECE. The Expert Group meetings are organised jointly by

UNECE and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs

and Inclusion (DG EMPL).

31. The Fourth meeting of the Expert Group took place on 13–14 November 2014 in

Brussels (hosted by the Liaison Office of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia

(FVG)).3 It discussed inter alia methodological changes to two AAI indicators (3.1 and 3.7),

2014 AAI results for 28 EU countries; preliminary AAI results for Canada, Norway, Serbia,

Switzerland, and Turkey; cases of subnational application of AAI by Poland, Italy, Biscay

province (Spain), and further work under the AAI project.

32. An ad-hoc half a day Expert group meeting was held right after the International seminar

(II.B.2) on 17 April 2015, in the afternoon, mainly to discuss the outcomes of the latter, lessons

learned, as well as to have an exchange of opinions on minor methodological changes to AAI

(concerning indicators 2.1 and 2.4) and usage of identified goalposts (see above).

33. The Fifth meeting of the Expert Group (final under the second phase) took place on 12–

13 October 2015 in Brussels. The major focus of the meeting was discussing the possible tasks

for a foreseen third phase of the AAI project. The Experts were also informed about the status

of the implementation of the tasks under the second phase.

2. Organizing a special Researchers’ Seminar

34. The preparation of the International seminar entitled “Building an evidence base for

active ageing policies: Active Ageing Index and its potential”, including coordination of the

work of the Evaluation board (see below), was ensured jointly by UNECE Population Unit and

DG EMPL. For information and better coordination purposes UNECE Population Unit created

a wiki-page devoted specifically to the seminar.4 An associate consultant (UNECE) had a

preparatory coordination meeting with the DG EMPL on 13 February 2015 in Brussels.

35. Following the call for abstracts launched in June 2014, over 60 abstract were received.

An independent evaluation board consisting of five members plus a Chairperson5 was formed in

July 2014. A number of teleconferences with the representatives of the evaluation board were

held (see above), and a meeting of the Evaluation board was organised on 9 March 2015 in

Oxford. The board selected 35 abstracts, authors of which were invited to submit full papers

and subsequently present them at the seminar either in a form of a presentation (20 papers) or

as a poster (15 papers).

36. The seminar took place on 16–17 April 2015 in Brussels and was attended by about 150

participants from over 30 countries. Main topics around which the seminar was built were: use

of AAI for policymaking; subnational adaptation of AAI; comparative analysis of AAI results;

methodology matters; use of AAI in countries outside of the European Union. Six best papers

by young career researchers (those enrolled in a PhD or a postdoctoral programme) were

awarded with monetary prizes; ten certificate awards were also given to best papers and

posters. All the presentations are available from the wiki page devoted to the seminar.

3 A report of the Fourth Expert group meeting is available from

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/VI.+Documentation

4 http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/International+Seminar

5 http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/Evaluation+board

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3. Organizing a workshop with country representatives to examine in detail their AAI

results with the aim of advocating the use of AAI among policymakers

37. A national seminar “Active Ageing Index: the Lithuanian context” was held in Vilnius

on 21 May 2015. The seminar was organised by UNECE Population Unit in cooperation with

the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania. It was attended by

some 40 experts from a host ministry and ministries of education and of health, representatives

of regional social service agencies, the social insurance fund, the research community and the

universities of the Third Age of Lithuania.

38. Prior to the seminar, an analysis of AAI results and trends specifically for Lithuania,

including comparison with the other Baltic countries, was carried out by the UNECE

Population Unit. The results were presented at the seminar and provided a basis for an informed

discussion on challenges and possibilities to improve the realisation of potential of older people

in Lithuania. The Active Ageing Index was recognised as an important and easy-to-use tool that

needs to be effectively used in setting priorities to address demographic challenges and to

improve the quality of life of older persons.

4. Promotion of AAI as a monitoring tool for MIPAA implementation and two

workshops “Addressing data gaps for active ageing indicators”

39. Apart from the activities specifically listed in the Agreement, UNECE has continually

explored the possibilities and feasibility of using AAI to monitor the implementation of the

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and its Regional Implementation Strategy

(MIPAA/RIS). To this end, AAI, the project and its results were regularly presented at the

annual meetings of the UNECE Working group on ageing and the meetings of its Bureau. This

resulted in inclusion of the 22 AAI indicators into the statistical annex to the national report on

MIPAA implementation which the UNECE member States are to submit by 31 October 2016,6

as agreed by the UNECE Working Group on Ageing at its seventh meeting.7 Given that the

original AAI methodology implies usage of a number of European surveys, non-EU UNECE

member States were expected to face difficulties in calculating the 22 AAI indicators.

40. To help countries to identify possible data sources and alternative variables (proxies)

UNECE organised two workshops for the countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia,

and Western Balkans. Sweden and the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central

Asia provided main funding for the organization of the two workshops.

41. The first workshop took place on 18 November 2015 in Geneva. It was attended by 30

participants including 22 representatives of 17 UNECE member States. The work prior and

during the workshop allowed for identification of the most problematic indicators, collect and

discuss various suggestions from countries and experts regarding possible proxies and data

alternative sources. Based on the materials received from the countries and the experts UNECE

prepared a note on the alternative variables with the indications as to their proximity to the

original ones.8 The countries requested another workshop to continue the work.

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42. The second workshop took place in Minsk, Belarus, on 23–24 June 2016. In the course

of workshop the methodology of calculation, data sources and possible alternative variables for

specific indicators, as per countries’ request, were in focus of both presentations by experts and

6 Documents on reporting under the third review and appraisal cycle of MIPAA/RIS implementation are available

from http://www.unece.org/population/mipaa/reviewandappraisal.html

7 Relevant documents for the Seventh meeting of the Working Group on Ageing including its report are available

from http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=34544#/

8 The note is available from http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/pau/age/Active_Ageing_Index/Workshop-

2016/proxies.pdf

9 For the related documents and presentations see http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=40393#/

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work in groups. Representatives from fifteen countries attended the workshop. The reports of

the workshops are available from the UNECE Population Unit website.10

5. Peer Review “The Active Ageing Index and its extension to the regional level”

43. The European Commission organised a Peer review “The Active Ageing Index and its

extension to the regional level” in Kraków on 15–16 October 2014.11

The meeting aimed at

looking into subnational adaptation of AAI using an example of Poland, and getting feedback

from the other nine participant countries (based on their replies to a questionnaire). UNECE

was present at the meeting as observer.

6. Peer Review “Active Ageing Index at the local level”

44. The European Commission organised a Peer review “Active Ageing Index at the local

level” in Berlin on 14–15 April 2016.12

At the meeting the preliminary results of the pilot study

of AAI at local level in Germany (see above for details) were presented. Thirty-eight

participants took part in the peer review, including representatives of seven peer countries

(Estonia, Finland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Spain). The pilot study proved that

calculation of AAI at local level is feasible in Germany; the results were positively evaluated by

the peer countries. The participants also presented the current state of affairs in terms of ageing

policies in their countries and the experience of using AAI at different levels.

7. Stakeholders’ meeting

45. On 14 November 2014, in Brussels, back-to-back with the Fourth meeting of the Expert

Group on AAI, the European Commission organised a meeting for stakeholders devoted to use

of AAI for policymaking “Potential for Evidence-Based Policy Development. A Dialogue with

Policymakers”. The meeting brought together various stakeholders — policymakers, academia

and civil society — and discussed possibilities of the AAI use at international, national and

subnational levels.13

C. Communication and visualisation of AAI and its results

1. Maintaining a website on AAI

46. A public wiki page on the Active Ageing Index14

is continually maintained and updated,

including:

• The publications on AAI — the Policy brief issued in November 2014 and the

Analytical report (April 2015) available from the page Documentation, as are the

reports from the meetings of the Expert Group on AAI; documents from the Peer

reviews and Stakeholders’ meeting (November 2014); Reports on the pilot studies and

other related materials.

• Updated design elements based on the results of visualisation (design) contractor’s work

(see below).

10 http://www.unece.org/pau/welcome.html

11 The information about and documentation related to the Peer review are available from

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=2099&furtherNews=yes

12 The information about and documentation related to the Peer review are available from

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1024&langId=en&newsId=2333&furtherNews=yes

13 Presentations and documents from the meeting are available from:

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/VI.+Documentation

14 http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/Active+Ageing+Index+Home

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• Updated methodology pages with revised definitions of four indicators (see above).

• Updated AAI results for three points in time as well as the respective charts and a map.

• A special page devoted to the International seminar “Building an evidence base for

active ageing policies: Active Ageing Index and its potential” was created and

maintained.

47. Since October 2013 the home AAI wiki-page was visited more than 100,000 times (as of

May 2016).

2. Visualisation of AAI and its results

48. In September 2014 UNECE Population Unit engaged an individual contractor —

Mr. Spyridon Michailidis — under a seven-week contract No OBID 45498 with a task to

develop a static visualisation to support dissemination of AAI. The deliverables were: icons for

individual domains and the overall AAI; map and charts featuring the 2012 AAI results for 28

EU countries.

3. Communication on AAI

49. Four news-pieces were published in UNECE Weekly Newsletter15

(March, April and

May 2015) devoted to the International seminar on AAI (two); Analytical report 2015, and

national seminar in Lithuania. A note on the Analytical report was also disseminated via Ageing

in Europe mailing list, Population Europe network, and the Global ageing research network.

The information about the International seminar, including call for papers, was disseminated

via the mentioned channels plus European Association of Population Studies, International

Union of the Scientific Study of Population, World Health Organization panel on age-friendly

cities, UNECE Working Group on Ageing and others.

4. Presenting AAI

50. Apart from the above mentioned presentations of AAI project, its progress, and AAI

results at the Fourth and Fifth meetings of the Expert group on AAI, International seminar,

national seminar in Lithuania, Peer Reviews, Stakeholders’ meeting, and the field visit to

Ankara within the pilot study; the work progress under the project was regularly presented to

the UNECE Working Group on Ageing at its Seventh and Eight meetings (20–21 November

2014; 19–20 November 2015) and to its Bureau at its Seventh meeting (7–8 May 2015).

Moreover, presentations on AAI were given at: the conference “Active Ageing for Longer and

Better Working Lives”, October 2015, Riga; at regular meetings of an informal inter-agency

group on ageing (Geneva-based) — in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and other meetings as an integrate

part of the Population Unit activities.

5. Cooperation with the UNECE Task Force on ageing-related statistics

51. To increase the probability of the UNECE countries including the AAI indicators into

their regular national statistical data collection, the UNECE Population Unit maintained close

cooperation with the UNECE Task Force on ageing-related statistics. The objective of the Task

Force was to improve the availability, accessibility and comparability of statistical data in

support of ageing-related policymaking in the framework of the UNECE Regional

Implementation Strategy for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. The

Population Unit took active part in the meetings of the UNECE Task Force on Ageing-related

Statistics held on 27 November 2013 and 18–19 November 2014 in Geneva and in the

preparatory and subsequent teleconferences. The collaboration was further strengthened by the

15 http://www.unece.org/info/media/unece-weekly/unece-weekly-2015.html

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fact that five members of the Task Force were members of the Expert Group on AAI. In April

2016, the Conference of the European Statisticians (CES) expressed their support to the

“Recommendations on Ageing-Related Statistics” prepared as a result of the work of the Task

Force. The revised recommendations, following online consultations with the member States,

will be presented to the Bureau of CES in October 2016.

III. Financial Report

1. For the implementation of the project activities UNECE received the first pre-financing

payment of EUR 143,389 (USD 194,558) on 23 October 2013 and the second instalment

amounting to EUR 206,355 (USD 275,876) — on 28 August 2014. The United Nations

accounting system operates and records all expenses in United States dollars. The received

amount was converted using the official United Nations exchange rates in effect at the time of

receipt: on 23 October 2013 — USD 1 = EUR 0.737, and on 28 August 2014 — USD 1 =

EUR 0.748. These exchange rates were used in the financial report to convert recorded

expenditures in United States dollars to euros on the ‘first-in-first-out’ basis.

2. The Fund Utilization Report (FUR) presented in the Annex II provides information on

the contributions received from the European Commission and interest earned over the project

period, and on the project-related monetary expenditures under the four broad categories:

(1) contractual services, (2) general operating and other costs, (3) staff and personnel costs and

(4) travel. It also indicates the programme support costs and the resulting negative balance as of

30 June 2016.16

Annex II(a) refers to FUR amounts in euro and provides some additional

explanations on expense items under these broad categories.

3. Project support costs (PSC) are calculated as 7 per cent of the direct costs, of which

EUR 23,551 are attributed to those covered by the contribution of the European Commission

(as budgeted). The interest income is reflected as of the end of 2015 and amounts to EUR

1,787.

4. The more detailed financial report in euro and United States dollars (see Table 1 below)

is prepared according to the revised financial plan presented in the attachment to the

Amendment No. 2 (VS/2015/0290) to the Agreement. As outlined in the attached table the total

project cost (UNECE and European Commission contributions) exceeded the budgeted amount

by EUR 15,456 (3.2 per cent). This difference in cost was absorbed by UNECE (additional

staff time and the fund reserve).

5. There are some notable deviations between actual and projected cost items:

(a) expenditure for the consultant/associate expert hired for project

administration and substantive contributions: an increase of EUR 23,542 was due to

additional research-based assignments related to the pilot study at local level in

Germany and ongoing revisions of data for AAI, and to preparation of the two

additional workshops as well as maintenance of the general AAI wiki. These

additional costs were partly offset by reducing the planned expenses under the line

for subcontracting research and IT consultants (–EUR 11,900 and –EUR 350,

respectively);

(b) UNECE staff travel to the Workshop on active ageing indicators in Minsk

(additional activity) roughly accounts for an overspending by EUR 2,170 under this

line. Some savings under the Expert travel line due to cheaper than planned airfares

and/or revised daily subsistence allowances allowed partly to offset total travel-

related expenditures;

16 The final project-related disbursements to the institutional consultants and support personnel were executed in

early June, therefore the Fund Utilization Report was prepared as of 30 June 2016 instead of 30 April 2016. For

more details see Annex II.

11

(c) UNECE staff resource allocation had to be increased to manage additional

activities (pilot study at local level in Germany and two AAI-related workshops).

Table 1. Active Ageing Index — Second Phase: project’s budgeted and actual

expenditures (UNECE and EC contributions jointly)

Budgeted Actual Difference Budgeted Actual Difference

Cost items EUR EUR EUR USD USD USD

UNECE own contribution - staff

resources 127,710 131,779 4,069 171,780 177,192 5,412

UNECE staff travel 12,000 14,170 2,170 16,140 18,946 2,806

Expert travel 40,000 38,510 -1,490 53,800 51,790 -2,010

Seminar participants travel

Seminar/workshop organization

Facilities & interpretation 3,700 3,320 -380 4,980 4,437 -543

Hospitality 3,000 2,050 -950 4,040 2,740 -1,300

Sub-contracting consultants:

Research consultants 193,085 181,185 -11,900 259,710 243,800 -15,910

Associate expert/consultant 77,164 100,706 23,542 103,790 135,289 31,499

IT expert 7,500 7,150 -350 10,090 9,700 -390

Sub-total 464,159 478,870 14,711 624,330 643,894 19,564

PSC: 7% of direct project cost 23,551 24,296 745 31,678 32,669 991

of which contributed by the

European Commission 23,551 23,551 31,678 31,678

Project total costs 487,710 503,166 15,456 656,008 676,563 20,555

EC contribution - total* 360,000 361,787 484,230 486,619 Interest income, 2013-2015 1,787 2,389

UNECE contribution - total 127,710 141,379 171,778 189,944

* Including instalment of EUR 10,256 to be received

Total project activities Total project activities

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Annex I

List of deliverables (according to activities listed in the European Union Contribution Agreement with International Organization No. VS/2013/0268)

I. Calculation of 2014/2015 AAI

1. Calculations were made for the new wave of AAI for the 28 EU countries, with data

mainly from the year 2012. The results are available from the wiki space.

2. The policy brief on 2014 AAI results was presented to the Expert Group on AAI at

its fourth meeting and is available from the wiki space.

3. The index was calculated for Croatia (integrated into the EU results) and four non-

EU countries, namely Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. The data are

available from the wiki space.

4. Four AAI indicators were revised. Up-to-date methodology is available from

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/V.+Methodology

5. For better interpretation of AAI results so-called goalposts were developed. The

detailed information is available from “Active Ageing Index 2014: Analytical

Report” and the wiki space.

6. A questionnaire providing detailed information on AAI indicators, including

variables and data sources was prepared and is available from the AAI wiki space:

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/I.+AAI+in+brief.

II. Exploring AAI trends over time

7. In addition to 2012 AAI and 2014 AAI, the calculations for 28 EU countries were

made for 2010 AAI (based mainly on the data from the year 2008).

8. The trends were analysed in the report “Active Ageing Index 2014: Analytical

Report”, where the analysis was also implemented against such contextual

parameters as GDP per capita, Gini coefficient, and life satisfaction. The report was

launched at the international seminar in April 2015. The report and all the mentioned

data sets are available from wiki space.

III. Retaining the Expert Group on the Active Ageing Index

9. The Expert Group was continuously contributing to the work under the project via

email consultations and face-to-face meetings: fourth meeting took place in

November 2014, an ad-hoc meeting — in April 2015, and the fifth — in October

2015. The reports of fourth and fifth meetings are available from the wiki space.

IV. Pilot studies of the Active Ageing Index in selected UNECE countries

10. Two pilot studies were undertaken at national level, in Serbia and Turkey, and

another one — at local level, in Germany. The reports are available from wiki space.

V. Collaboration with the UNECE Task Force on Ageing-related Statistics

11. The Population Unit took active part in the meetings of the UNECE Task Force on

Ageing-related Statistics held in November 2013 and November 2014 in Geneva,

and in the preparatory and subsequent teleconferences. The collaboration was further

strengthened by the fact that five members of the Task Force were members of the

Expert Group on AAI.

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VI. Researchers’ Seminar

12. The International seminar entitled “Building an evidence base for active ageing

policies: Active Ageing Index and its potential” took place in April 2015 in Brussels.

The information about the seminar, the presentations given and posters presented are

available from the wiki space.

VII. Further communication and promotion of AAI use

13. National seminar in Lithuania took place in May 2015. Information about the

seminar is available from the wiki space.

14. The Population Unit promoted continuously AAI as monitoring tool for MIPAA

implementation; the UNECE Working Group on Ageing agreed to include the 22

indicators of AAI into the statistical annex of the national reports on MIPAA

implementation. UNECE Population Unit organised two workshops in order to help

countries identify possible data sources and alternative variables for the AAI

indicators — in November 2015, in Geneva, and in June 2016, in Minsk. The

information on the workshops is available from the UNECE Population Unit

website: http://www.unece.org/pau/welcome.html.

15. Presentations of AAI were given at numerous meetings and events (exceeding four).

Please see the main text of the report for the details.

16. The Population Unit took part in two peer reviews organised by the European

Commission in 2014 and 2016 on AAI at subnational levels (information on peer

reviews is available from the wiki space and the following links:

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=2099&furtherNe

ws=yes; http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=89&langId=en&newsId=2333&

furtherNews=yes); and in the meeting for stakeholders in November 2014 (see

information on wiki space).

17. Static visualisation of AAI was developed by November 2014 by an engaged

contractor. This includes icons for the overall AAI and its domains, map and charts

of 2012 AAI for 28 EU countries. The results can be found in the subsequent

documents on AAI and on the wiki space.

18. The Population Unit ensured continuous update and maintenance of the wiki space

devoted to AAI. The home page of the space is available at:

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/AAI/Active+Ageing+Index+Home.

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Annex II

Fund utilization report

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