ZonMw is responsible for the implementation of the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme (AAL JP) in the Netherlands. AAL JP is designed to foster the development of innovative technological/ICT-based products, services and systems to meet the needs of our ageing society and compensate for the expected staff shortages in the care sector. The programme will run for six years, from 2008 to 2013.

Objectives
The main objective of AAL JP is to improve the quality of life of elderly people and enable them to live their lives independently and in their own homes, even as they increasingly suffer physical or mental problems. Secondly, the programme will support the European economic and industrial base. Solutions will be based on the needs and wishes of elderly people and their informal carers/families. They must be involved at all stages of the programme.

Characteristics
AAL projects characteristically involve end users and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Projects have a time-to-market of between two and three years. Proposals can be submitted at central EU level by consortia of partners from at least three different countries in Europe. Each consortium should include a user organisation, a business partner and an SME. All communication in AAL JP is in English.

Budget
AAL is a Joint Programme involving 23 European states, to which each participating state contributes a national budget. The total AAL budget is estimated to be more than € 100 million a year up to 2013. At programme level, the 23 states are investing 25 - 35%, the European Commission 20-25% and the remaining 40 - 50% is to come from investments by the participating organisations and companies. In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is contributing € 1.9 m a year to AAL from its national programme ’Labour-saving innovations in long-term care’.