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Reunion Island is a French overseas department and ultra peripheral european region. Its demographic, social and economic characteristics match with the territory’s geography, as well as its physical features. Several elements (such as the distance separating the island from France and Europe, its exposure to seven of the eight major environmental hazards, the strong contrast between the coastal and the inland regions of the island) are to be considered when it comes to analyzing key indicators like poverty rate, unemployment, and social inequality, which are amongst the highest in France. Therefore, the rapid ageing population on the island and the care of the elderly are challenges the public institutions have to tackle. However, they’re also an opportunity to promote innovative approaches, deeply rooted in territorial dynamics, and mindset. This communication therefore has to focus on analyzing these movements of constraints, as well as social and demographic opportunities; how it interacts within the territory aiming at enhancing institutional innovation.