Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme - Article 169 initiative

The AAL Joint Programme is a so-called "article 169 initiative" that was initiated by its member organisations. The status "article 169 initiative" was achieved only after the European Commission launched a co-desicion procedure to which both, the European Parliament and the Council had to take a positive decision on the initiative. "Article 169 initiative" refers to the respective article in the European Treaty that states:

"in implementing the multiannual framework programme, the Community may make provision, in agreement with the Member States concerned, for participation in research and development programmes undertaken by several Member States, including participation in the structures created for the execution of those programmes."

See the more information provided by the European Commission on http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/art169/about-169_en.html  

Milestones for the political decision making on AAL

View the decision itself here.

23 June 08: Council adopts participation of European Commission in the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme

13 March 08: European Parliament approved the Commission proposal with great majority

24 Jan 08: "Ambient Assisted Living" (AAL) in a co-decision report unanimously approved by the European Parliament´s Industry Committee (ITRE)

23 Nov 07: The Competitiveness Council of the European Union agreed on a general approach towards the AAL Joint Programme. For the draft minutes click here.

19 Sep 07: AAL association founded on 19 September 2007 by 14 founding members    

14 Jun 07: Adoption of a European Action Plan for "Ageing Well in the Information Society" by the Commission

Preparation activities

From 1 September 2004 to 31 December 2006, the preparatory activities for the new AAL funding programme were funded as the Specific Support Action project "Ambient Assisted Living" under the IST priority within the 6th European Framework Programme.