The University of Ljubljana has launched a multi-disciplinary research and development centre for social innovations aimed at promoting active and healthy ageing.

The centre will be a hub where research institutions, municipalities, volunteer organizations, and other stakeholders can work towards finding new solutions, the School of Business and Economics has said.

The centre is part of the SI4CARE project, which is co-funded by the European Fund for Regional Development and focuses on developing an effective transnational social innovation system in healthcare services for the elderly.

Aside from focusing on society's most vulnerable groups, the centre will deal with the digital transformation and the need for integrated long-term care.

"Here, social innovations play an important role. By implementing them into the healthcare system, we provide greater value for society as they help identify needs and interests, improve civic participation, and strengthen social cohesion," said project manager and the centre's head Vlado Dimovski.

Slovenia has one of the most rapidly ageing societies in Europe. A study by the OECD projects that the country's working-age population (20-64 years) will decrease by 27% between 2020 and 2060, almost triple the OECD average.

Driven by longer lives and very low fertility rates during several decades, population ageing is accelerating and is projected to be fast until the mid-2050s.