Apollon – Deliverable D2.5
4. Towards a cross-border thematic network When we envision a thematic domain network, it is clear that we cannot limit this only to the scope of Homecare and Independent Living. Not only are the Living Labs tackling more elements of Health, we do see that the challenges (as eg identified in different European and national strategies) are much broader then this. Therefor it is required to extent the scope of the network to the broader domain of Health and Well-being. This will enable a more holistic approach and allows to set different foci based upon the needs (see further) The Health and Well-Being thematic domain network has to be an open structure where organizations and individuals that are active or have an interest in this domain can be part of. However, a distinction will have to be made between those organization, in casu Living Labs that have a key-competence and activity in this and those that are working in the domain on a more sporadic base. Depending on the maturity of the Living Lab with regard to their activities in the domain we do believe it is beneficiary to have a core group of senior Living Labs. This group will have to take a lead position in the network. They will interact closer with each other on different topics and activities related to the domain of Health and Well-being. It is important that they, due to their expertise, can act as a reference group to the other members of the Living Lab. Beside this, it will be mainly this group that can not only share their knowledge and expertise to assist the other Living Labs in improving their Living Lab activities and set-up in the domain, but also to guide companies and public organizations to the network. It is mainly this expertise that is one of the key-assets of the network towards external organizations and companies. It will be important that a set of senior Living Labs will also act as the steering group of the domain network. They will be responsible for determining the operations of the network, both on an content as a more operational level. Eg. they will be responsible for drafting the work program and defining the topics to be addressed based on the challenges they encounter (from the field or on a more strategic level). As the network organization needs to a be as flat as possible on the hand and to be as active as possible on the other hand it is important that the members of the steering group (that do play a crucial role) can change according the needs. Therefore it would be good to work with a rotating mechanism, meaning that each year the composition can change. Preferable, the chairperson of this steering group is the responsible within ENoLL for the domain of Health, as elected by the council members.
ICT PSP Project Reporting Template
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FINAL Version, 02/05/2012
