Nominations Open: Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation

The Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation (HAPI) celebrates innovative policies, programs, services, and products that enhance care, social engagement, and age-friendly environments for older adults in East and Southeast Asia. The prize supports organizations addressing aging challenges, offering recognition, study tours, and international visibility for implemented innovations.

About the Innovation

HAPI recognizes and amplifies innovations that address challenges of aging populations and improve the lives of older adults. The prize encourages organizations to develop creative solutions for care, wellbeing, and social inclusion, helping societies adapt to rapidly aging populations.

Key Objectives

• Support caregivers and health providers through innovative services and policies

• Promote social engagement to keep older adults active and connected within communities

• Foster supportive and age-friendly environments, including accessible homes, neighborhoods, and transportation

• Encourage sharing of best practices and innovations across regional networks

Why This Prize Matters

• East and Southeast Asia’s population aged 65+ is expected to nearly double over the next 30 years

• Aging societies face urgent challenges in health, social care, and inclusion

• HAPI promotes practical, implemented solutions from public and private sectors to enhance quality of life and societal resilience

• Highlights successful innovations to inspire replication in other regions facing demographic shifts

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Organizations based in ASEAN member countries, China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan), Japan, or South Korea

• Not central government ministries, departments, or international organizations

• Innovations must be already implemented and operational

• Organizations must be in good legal standing, with no criminal or ethical violations

• Applicants must be willing to share their experiences internationally

• Only the organization directly responsible for the innovation may apply

Prize Benefits

• Grand Prize Winners: Trophy and invitation to participate in a study tour in Japan

• All Winners: Commemorative certificate and feature on the AHWIN website

• Opportunities for knowledge exchange, international exposure, and regional recognition

Focus Areas

1. Care & Wellbeing: Programs, services, or products that enhance health, care, and quality of life for older adults

2. Social Engagement: Initiatives that encourage older adults to stay active, participate, and contribute to their communities

3. Supportive Environments: Innovations that create accessible, age-friendly homes, neighborhoods, and transportation systems

How to Apply

1. Verify Eligibility: Confirm organization location, legal standing, and implemented innovation status

2. Prepare Application: Include project description, objectives, outcomes, and evidence of implementation

3. Provide Supporting Materials: Demonstrate impact, scalability, and replicability of the innovation

4. Submit Application: Ensure all documentation is complete and submitted through the HAPI application portal

5. Evaluation: Applications are assessed based on innovation, impact, scalability, sustainability, and contribution to aging societies

Why Apply

• Gain regional and international recognition for innovative aging solutions

• Connect with peer organizations and expand networks in elderly care and social innovation

• Share successful models to inspire adoption across Asia

• Access platforms for learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration

Tips for Applicants

• Emphasize proven impact and measurable outcomes of the innovation

• Highlight scalability and potential replication in other regions

• Include clear evidence of community or societal benefits

• Ensure documentation demonstrates operational status and sustainability

• Be prepared to share experiences through presentations or workshops

FAQs

1. Who is eligible to apply?
Organizations based in ASEAN countries, China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan), Japan, or South Korea, excluding central government ministries, departments, and international organizations.

2. What kind of innovations qualify?
Implemented policies, programs, services, or products that improve care, social engagement, or age-friendly environments for older adults.

3. Are individuals or teams eligible?
No, only the organization directly responsible for creating or developing the innovation may apply.

4. What recognition do winners receive?
Grand Prize winners receive a trophy and study tour in Japan; all winners receive certificates and AHWIN website features.

5. Does the innovation need to be fully operational?
Yes, only innovations that have reached the implementation stage are eligible.

6. Can international collaboration be included?
Yes, sharing experiences internationally is encouraged, but the applying organization must be directly responsible for the innovation.

7. Why is the prize focused on East and Southeast Asia?
These regions are facing rapid population aging, requiring innovative approaches to maintain health, wellbeing, and inclusion for older adults.

Conclusion

The HAPI Prize provides a unique platform for organizations addressing aging challenges in Asia to gain recognition, share knowledge, and inspire solutions. By supporting innovations in care, social engagement, and age-friendly environments, the program promotes healthy, meaningful, and productive lives for older adults, while fostering resilient and vibrant aging societies.