Care Academy
A space where knowledge becomes action for the transformation of territories
The Care Academy is an international ecosystem for training, innovation and knowledge transfer that drives the transformation of care systems as an engine of local economic development, social cohesion and well-being.
It connects public administrations, universities, research centres, social and solidarity economy organisations, businesses, professionals and communities to strengthen capacities, generate shared knowledge and promote innovative solutions adapted to demographic, social and territorial challenges.
As a permanent space for learning, cooperation and exchange, the Academy promotes recognition of the sector, evidence-based public policy design and the development of more inclusive, sustainable, resilient and people-centred care models.
Care: An investment in the future
Care sustains life, the economy and the well-being of our societies. Yet it remains one of the most invisible and unequally distributed activities, falling mostly on women and still insufficiently recognised by traditional economic systems.
Investing in care means investing in:
Quality employment.
Social cohesion.
Equality between women and men.
Health and well-being.
Local economic development.
More resilient communities.
The care economy is a strategic opportunity to address the challenges of ageing, demographic transition, work–life balance and social inclusion. Strengthening care systems not only improves people’s quality of life, it also drives job creation, fosters social innovation, energises local economies and helps build more sustainable, cohesive and future-ready territories.
The Care Academy was created to support territories in this transformation process, strengthening capacities, promoting innovation and facilitating knowledge exchange to move towards more accessible, inclusive, professional and people-centred care systems.
Key figures
16,400 million hours are devoted every day to unpaid care work worldwide. This is equivalent to more than 2 billion people working full time.
- 9% of global GDP is equivalent to the estimated value of unpaid domestic and care work
- More than 2,100 million people will be over 60 years old by 2050
- 5.4 trillion dollars is the estimated global investment gap in the care economy by 2035
- 76% of unpaid care work is carried out by women. On average, women spend three times as much time caring as men
- 21.7 million jobs could be created in OECD countries through greater investment in the sector
What does the Academy promote?
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Strengthen the capacities of local governments
Supporting public administrations in the design, implementation and evaluation of care policies adapted to the needs of each territory.
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Transfer knowledge and good practices
Facilitating the exchange of experiences, methodologies and research between institutions, professionals and territories to accelerate collective learning and continuous improvement.
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Foster international cooperation
Creating collaboration networks between cities, regions, universities, international organisations and social entities to share solutions and tackle common challenges.
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Promote new people-centred care models
Driving care systems that respect people’s autonomy, rights and life projects, integrating innovation, community participation and personalised care.
How does the Academy help transform care?
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Specialised training and continuous capacity building
Designing and delivering training programmes that strengthen the skills of professionals, public officials and local stakeholders, adapting them to the new challenges of the care economy.
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Diagnosis and strategic planning
Supporting the analysis of territories’ needs and capacities to design strategies and action plans that drive more effective and resilient local care systems.
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Cooperation between administrations, universities, businesses and social organisations
Promoting multi-sector alliances that bring together knowledge, experience and resources to develop innovative responses to care challenges.
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International exchange of experiences and good practices
Facilitating spaces for learning and cooperation between territories to share experiences, methodologies and solutions with proven impact.
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Public policy design and evaluation
Through the formulation, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based care policies aimed at improving people’s well-being and territorial development.
Who is it for?
The Academy is aimed at institutions, organisations and professionals driving the transformation of care systems and contributing to the sustainable development of territories.
Leadership and public policy
For local and regional governments, public administrations, policymakers and local economic development agents committed to the design, implementation and evaluation of care strategies and policies.
Knowledge, innovation and cooperation
For universities and research centres, Social and Solidarity Economy organisations, care sector businesses and international cooperation bodies that promote knowledge generation, innovation and the exchange of experiences.
Professionals and community
For care professionals, health and social care staff, community organisations and people committed to social innovation and to strengthening care systems from a people-centred perspective.
Areas of action
The Academy develops initiatives around five main areas:
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Training and new skills
Specialised programmes and learning pathways, certifications and continuous training.
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Innovation
Innovation labs, pilot projects, digital solutions and new organisational models.
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Knowledge transfer
Applied research, publications, methodologies, guides, tools and systematisation of good practices.
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Territorial cooperation
Exchange networks between cities, regions and national and international institutions.
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Public policy advocacy
Design, implementation and evaluation of local care policies.
Together we are building a new care economy: more just, innovative, sustainable and people-centred.
Contact
For any information about the Care Academy, please contact the Secretariat at secretariat@ledworldforum.org
