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European Network on Independent Living

ENIL is a user-led network of disabled people, with members throughout Europe. Our mission is to advocate for Independent Living values, principles and practices: provision of personal assistance and other community supports and services, a barrier-free environment and adequate technical aids, together making full citizenship of disabled people possible.

Power chair user with microphone screaming with fist raised. Across the website, photos show ENIL members in everyday and activist settings. Some use wheelchairs. There is a mix of genders. Most have white skin.

About our organisation

ENIL is a network based on solidarity and peer support

ENIL is a forum for all disabled people, Independent Living organisations and their non-disabled allies on the issues of Independent Living. ENIL represents the disability movement for human rights and social inclusion, based on solidarity, peer support, deinstitutionalisation, democracy, self-representation, cross-disability and self-determination. Our vision is of Europe where all disabled people are able to exercise choice and control over their lives, on an equal level with others; where they are valued members of the community and can enjoy all of their human rights, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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What do we do ?

Campaigns

Learn more about our campaigns, such as the Freedom Drive.

Projects

Find out about our projects and download the project results.

Factsheet

Explore the themes ENIL is working on, such as Independent Living or deinstitutionalisation.

Join us!

ENIL provides a platform for grassroots activists and organisations

ENIL works to strengthen the empowerment of disabled people, through providing resources for peer support and peer-to-peer training. ENIL enhances the European disability sector by providing an arena for the sharing of disabled people’s experience of services and by providing expertise on independent living. Our Youth Network brings together young people, making their voice heard in the independent living movement.

Recent News

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Reaction to the hearing of Commissioner designate Hadja Lahbib Reaction to the hearing of Commissioner designate Hadja Lahbib

Today the hearing of the Commissioner designate for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, took place in the European Parliament. Over the pasts …

November 6, 2024

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“It happens” “It happens”

On 27 September, a 15-year old boy died in an institution in the Centre for Rehabilitation Rijeka. This is an institution for disabled people, …

Avoiding the sheltered employment trap Avoiding the sheltered employment trap

Florian Greß from Regensburg is well qualified for the labour market. After obtaining a certificate of secondary education he did a course in office …

November 5, 2024

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Independent Living Map

Find out about Independent Living in your country

The Independent Living survey was launched in 2020, to find about the state of independent living around Europe. Its results are updated regularly and shared with policy and decision makers at the European level.

Access IL Map

Upcoming Events

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Mainstreaming UN CRPD provisions on the financing of services for Disabled People in EU legislation on state aid

Mainstreaming UN CRPD provisions on the financing of services for Disabled People in EU legislation on state aid

We are extending an invitation to join an online-event which aspires to bring a new perspective into EU disability policy. The event will take …

Register
EU Disability Policy and the right to independent living and being included in the community

EU Disability Policy and the right to independent living and being included in the community

The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL), is inviting you to an online seminar to introduce you to the most empowering approach to disability …

Register
European models of Personal Assistance Cooperatives

13/11/202413/11/2024

European models of Personal Assistance Cooperatives

Taking place as part of Self Directed Support Scotland’s Annual General Meeting 2024, this webinar will be delivered by the European Network on Independent …

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Contact us

Meet the team!

Our people

Support our cause

Donate to ENIL!

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