ABSTRACT
Population ageing is affecting all Western democracies. Within these democracies, a paradox is observed regarding the older population. Although older people are large in numbers, they experience a lack of political influence. Moreover, older people are often confronted with negative stereotyping. In this chapter, the research project “Belgian Ageing Studies” (BAS) is described. In this project, older people are involved as key stakeholders. Indeed, older people participated both in the development of the project and in the continuously ongoing project in different municipalities.
Each BAS project, which by the end of 2021 was executed in more than 200 Belgian municipalities, assesses the living conditions and quality of life of older people. It generated data for evidence‐based policy plans on the local level. This research tool was also found to aid in the political empowerment of older people. Indeed, thanks to this project, older people became more involved in policy making and community practice. The recruitment process of older volunteers which is one of the key aspects of the project was applied in other projects where older volunteers were needed. In the end, BAS created a continuous cooperation between a network of partners: local authorities, local senior advisory boards, local senior associations, and older inhabitants.
