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Background and Aims Despite the many known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens in many countries. Regular PA significantly decreases the odds of functional limitation and social disengagement. However, there is a dearth of publicly funded support services for older adults. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a formative evaluation to examine the implementation of community‐driven health promotion programs for older adults in British Columbia, Canada. Methods The Active Aging Grant (AAG) initiative funded 30 community‐based organizations in British Columbia to design and deliver community‐driven health promotion programs for older adults, with an explicit focus on PA and social connectedness. Guided by the Framework for Successful Implementation, we recruited program coordinators and participants and used semistructured interview guides to focus on design, delivery, and experience within the program. Framework analysis was used with NVivo 11. Results Thirty‐six in‐depth, semistructured interviews were conducted in 2017, after program completion. Data saturation was achieved after interviewing 10 coordinators and 26 program participants from seven of the organizations. Eighteen were female; nine were male; 68% fell in the age range of 65‐84. We detail the innovation characteristics, provider characteristics, and contextual factors that facilitate and impede program implementation. Aspects that facilitate implementation include that they promote PA, foster social connectedness, and address isolation and loneliness; personal accountability; affordability; program design; providers' appropriate skills; community collaborations; and transportation support. Aspects that hinder implementation include lack of resources for marketing and communications, lack of volunteers and dedicated staff, and access to transportation. We also highlight two themes that emerged outside the theoretical framework, the roles of gender and funding in program implementation. Conclusions As part of a formative evaluation, the information will help adapt and enhance implementation of a larger scale‐out intervention aimed to increase PA and social connectedness amongst older adults in British Columbia, Canada.

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Background : Through a weakening of the welfare state, many economically developed countries have seen a decline in publicly funded community programming. Within this context of hollowed-out services for community-dwelling older adults, community-based seniors’ service (CBSS) organizations have been increasingly tasked to deliver programs to enable independence, health and social connections for older citizens. In response, CBSS leaders have taken steps to organize as a unified sector and have expanded their partnerships with researchers and universities to enhance and track this work. The primary objective of this study was to capture of the current needs of CBSS leaders in British Columbia, Canada, who attended a seminal event in the CBSS sector’s development – the inaugural Summit on Aging (i.e. the Summit). Hosting and evaluating The Summit was a collaborative effort between CBSS organizations and a university-based research team. The secondary objective of this study was to understand the value of hosting the Summit for those who attended. Methods : We implemented a mixed-method evaluation plan, which included: a pre- (n=79) and post-event online survey (n=76); thematic notes from six breakout sessions, 4 large group sessions, and ethnographic observations from each day of the Summit; and a 6-month post-Summit semi-structured telephone interview (n=22). Results : Summit delegates identified key opportunities to strengthen the CBSS as a sector, including enhanced collaboration; improved mechanisms that foster connecting and collaborating; and more resources (i.e. funding, trained personnel) to increase their capacity to deliver respond to current and future service demands. Overall, participants found the Summit to be a worthwhile event; it provided a venue to strategize as to how to meet sector needs. Conclusions : In the context of aging societies and a decline in direct support from the state, we must more meaningfully invest and support the vital work that CBSSs are increasingly providing to older citizens. Here we determine key needs within the CBSS and highlight how an event such as the Summit, can help facilitate collaboration, connections and resources. Our community-based research partnership maximized our collective efforts to robustly capture the changing needs of an evolving sector.