INDEPENDENT is a European pilot project that brings together twenty partner organisations across six European Member States. Jointly, they have set up an ambitious work programme which aims at better capitalising on information and communications technology (ICT) when it comes to supporting older people in their communities. The ultimate goal is to empower older people to maintain their independence. 

A particular focus is on enabling, with help of technology, a better joining-up of social and health care services as they currently exist. There is also emphasis on strengthening the participation of the so called “third sector,” family carers and voluntary community workers who would otherwise not be in the usual information sharing loop. 

This pilot project started in January 2010 and will end in December 2012. It is part-funded by the European Union’s Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme.