The Matía Foundation will build in San Sebastián an Innovation Centre on Ageing, seeking to become "the most qualified and innovative European benchmark in the field of ageing". Minister Cristina Garmendia and Deputy General of the Gipuzkoa Markel Olano were present at the cornerstone laying ceremony of the Ingema building on 15 November.

This new research centre, deriving from the expertise of an institution in elderly care services such as Matía and the R&D contribution of Ingema, will bring together 110 researchers and 450 professionals. The final building project, which will be developed in two phases, covers 14,500 square meters and involving an investment of 23.7 million euros will be fully operational in 2012.

The Centre is expected to work in seven research areas: an extensive twenty-year study, jointly with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), to determine the changes deriving from the ageing process; three research lines directly linked to active ageing, the development of rehabilitation techniques, compensation of fragility and dependency situations and the design of new services; research on technologies improving self-sufficiency and the conditions of our elderly's environment; the promotion of business initiatives to secure products focused on the elderly; a transfer axis providing society with the generated knowledge through teaching and training programmes, technical assessment and assistance, publications and participation in events.

According to the Matía's General Manager, José Antonio Aguirre Franco, this new research centre is committed «to build and transfer knowledge on ageing». In other words, to provide solutions for the elderly using R&D&I for the development of services, actions or new products that contribute to their health and well-being.