In the framework of the INCLUSage project, older people’s organisations from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland and Slovakia and members of AGE Platform Europe developed a Guide for Civil Dialogue on Promoting Older People’s Social Inclusion. Tulip Foundation and Charity association Donka Paprikova are the partner organisations from Bulgaria.

The intention of the Guide is to present some good practice examples of civil dialogue on ageing issues including those that promote social inclusion in old age. The Guide also makes some proposals on how best to implement and participate in the civil dialogue process across all national policy-making levels: from governmental level down through to regional and local level strategies and initiatives which aim to improve the daily lives of older people.

The Guide also includes some specific recommendations. Firstly, on how older people’s organisations can empower older people to take an active role in policy debates and how they can participate successfully in policy-making processes and, secondly, on how public authorities should support older people and their organisations in order to implement a sustainable civil dialogue on policy-making with regard to ageing issues.

We hope that the Guide will be used by both older people’s organisations and public authorities at all levels in order to facilitate a broad dialogue between relevant stakeholders. The ultimate objective is to enhance national debates on promoting and ensuring well-being and dignity in old age.