The European Union declared the year “2012” as the "European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations".

Active ageing means creating better opportunities and working conditions in order to enable older workers to partake in the labour market by combating social exclusion and fostering active participation in society with a view to healthy ageing.

On this basis, the “Year's” goal was to raise public awareness about the value of active ageing, strengthen dialogue, develop mutual learning between Member States and stakeholders at all levels and create a framework for commitment and concrete action, which would allow Member States and stakeholders at all levels to develop policies through specific activities and to commit to specific targets related to active ageing.

The common principles of the “Year” were: employment, voluntary unpaid work and independent living.

In Greece, EYSEKT took over the coordination of the "European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012” and designed a national action plan.