APSAA 亞太永續行動獎(Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards )-Sustainability Action Award SDG3:Gold
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology
Sustainable Happiness Chain: Innovative Community Empowerment Program for the Elderly
Chiayi County has the highest proportion of elderly residents in Taiwan, with 22.77% of its population aged 65 or older. This trend highlights the urgent need to delay health decline and support aging in place. In response, this project proposes a “Sustainable Chain of happiness” that links the wisdom of seniors, the dedication of volunteers, and local community innovation. Its goal is to empower older adults as active participants in community life. The project integrates health promotion, long-term care, and community development to design diverse, evidence-based wellness programs. Strategies include cross-sector collaboration, expert advisory support, phased volunteer training, demonstration sites, and a creative “Happiness Volunteer Point System” to sustain engagement. Over three years, the program trained 31 volunteer seed instructors, held 312 sessions, mobilized 1,167 community volunteers, and delivered 572 hours of service. These efforts directly benefited 7,485 older adults. On average, each seed instructor engaged 37 volunteers, significantly strengthening local capacity and expanding the reach of wellness initiatives across Chiayi’s aging population.