Research & Technology Development: Finland

Finland has many R&D projects operating within the field of IST and elderly under different topics, as follows:

• Empowerment of older people and improvement of their quality of life:

• Training older people in the use of IT
• R&D projects on easy to use ICT user interfaces for older people
• e-Accessibility projects i.e. in the public sector services
• R&D projects on housing and ICT products and services
• R&D projects on transport and ICT based transport services
• R&D projects on user involvement
• R&D projects on individual health care products and services
• R&D on ageing at work

• Professionals supporting older persons:

• Home Care personnel and use of ICT based services
• Long distance Health Care systems
• Home Hospitals

Funding bodies are among others:

Tekes - whose primary objective is to promote the competitiveness of Finnish industry and the service sector by technological means. Activities aim to diversify production structures, increase production and exports, and create a foundation for employment and social well-being.

Sitra: Research information on Finnish society for the basis of decision-making; Innovative operations to create new co-operative networks and models; Corporate funding for the technology companies in the their early stages of existence, regional enterprises with promising future and for commercialising innovations; Investments in international venture-capital funds concentrating on the high-tech field.

RAY (Finland's Slot Machine Association) is a significant, widely-known organisation with a legal monopoly to function as a gaming operator. RAY's gaming revenue is utilised efficiently and reliably to benefit people needing assistance and support.

Innofin supports especially inventors and small enterprises with support funding, grants and loans. Normally these are between 2000 and 100000 Euro.