Quale futuro per l’invecchiamento? Riflessioni finali dal progetto Age-It

This introduction presents the third and final volume of the CNR‑IRCrES series dedicated to the Age‑It project, a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at understanding the social, economic, and territorial implications of population ageing in Italy. Bringing together recent contributions from CNR‑IRCrES, CNR‑ISMed, CNR‑IRPPS, and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, the volume illustrates how ageing intersects with legal frameworks, labour‑market dynamics, family relationships, welfare governance, and urban transformations. The chapters address a broad range of themes – from the fragile institutional recognition of informal caregivers to the evolving meanings of retirement, the conditions enabling longer working lives, and the socio‑spatial dimensions of ageing cities. Cultural narratives and intergenerational knowledge transmission further enrich this picture, showing how representations of later life shape public discourse and collective imaginaries. The introduction situates these reflections within the broader trajectory of the Age‑It project, highlighting the need for integrated and evidence‑based approaches capable of supporting a healthy and active ageing society. The volume concludes by outlining future research perspectives and emphasising the importance of ensuring continuity in the project’s long‑term development.