The first phase of the project was implemented from January 2012 to February 2013. Its major outcome was a release of AAI results for 27 European Union countries. The main developer of the 2012 AAI was the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research in Vienna. The 2012 AAI was presented to policymakers, civil society, researchers and other stakeholders at numerous international meetings, conferences and fora and recognized as a successful tool which needs to be further extended and applied.
AAI-II started in October 2013 and continued through April 2016. Under the second phase, the AAI coverage was extended to Croatia and four non-EU countries, namely Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. The coverage was also extended in time with the 2010 and 2014 AAI calculated based on 2008 and 2012 data respectively. Two pilot studies at national level were carried out for Serbia and Turkey, and a pilot study at local level was implemented in Germany. Numerous initiatives to compute and apply AAI at both national and subnational levels emerged throughout the second phase. A number of events were organised, including an international seminar in April 2015, national seminar in Lithuania in May 2015, two peer reviews on subnational application of AAI, and others. The AAI indicators were included into the statistical annex to national reports on implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).
In May 2016 the third phase of the project was launched. Under this phase further work on AAI coverage extension (both in time and geographically), on applying AAI at subnational level are being implemented; more pilot studies are being carried out, as well as more specific analysis of AAI results. Another international seminar took place in 2018, and a number of national seminars and other events have been taking place throughout this phase. AAI-III will continue through August 2019.
The project benefits from the advice of the informal Expert Group on AAI that brings together leading researchers, statisticians, government and civil society representatives. The Expert Group meets once or twice a year, with email consultations done in between the meetings.
