The Bizkaia Provincial Council has strengthened its commitment to the Bizkaia: A Territory for All Ages programme by encouraging more municipalities to join the 40 that have already signed up to this important initiative.

The announcement was made at an event at the Euskalduna Palace, which was attended by more than 200 people including institutional representatives, technical staff and elderly citizens who are already involved in the programme. The event served to share progress and highlight the benefits of a model rooted in participation, active listening and joint working.

Launched in 2016 by the Bizkaia Provincial Council and inspired by the World Health Organization’s methodology, A Territory for All Ages encourages elderly people to participate actively in bringing about improvements in their municipalities. As well as being the beneficiaries of certain public policies, this collective plays a leading role in the design, development and evaluation of initiatives that have a direct impact on their daily lives.

Longevity: A challenge and an opportunity

During the event, the General Deputy Elixabete Etxanobe explained how the work undertaken in collaboration with the Bizkaia Elderly Person’s Council has led to concrete improvements, including more accessible public spaces and better‑adapted services. She also emphasised the clear aim of this initiative: to improve people’s lives by working hand-in-hand with them.

The event highlighted that longevity is a collective achievement and, at the same time, both a challenge and an opportunity. In light of this, the Bizkaia Provincial Council is developing a longevity strategy that will harness data, analysis and the direct experience of Bizkaia’s citizens to make strides towards a society with greater autonomy, rights and sense of community.

A participatory and age‑friendly territorial network

One of the hallmarks of the programme is the creation of driving groups in municipalities. In these groups, elderly people collaborate with technical staff and local leaders to analyse local needs and propose solutions. This approach helps to strengthen communities and create more inclusive and accessible environments.

The aim is to extend the network across the whole province and reinforce connections between municipalities, encouraging the exchange of experiences and mutual support. In this process, the Bizkaia Elderly Person’s Council plays a fundamental role as a forum for participation, listening and proposals.

The Bizkaia Provincial Council and the Bizkaia Elderly Person's Council share a common vision: to make strides towards a society in which everyone can play an active role in shaping community life, regardless of their age. Through this programme, Bizkaia continues to consolidate a model of social cohesion that brings generations together and improves the quality of life of all citizens throughout the province.