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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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School of Political Participation for Women and Girls with Disabilities School of Political Participation for Women and Girls with Disabilities

July was Disability Pride Month and we celebrated it in the most powerful way. ENIL (European Network on Independent Living) and Fight For Right …

August 1, 2025

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Continuing Adolf Ratzka’s Legacy – Join Us in Advancing Independent Living Continuing Adolf Ratzka’s Legacy – Join Us in Advancing Independent Living

On the 21st of July 2025 one year was marked since the passing of Adolf Ratzka. As we remember his life and extraordinary contributions, …

July 31, 2025

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Advocacy campaign for the right to legal capacity achieves important success Advocacy campaign for the right to legal capacity achieves important success

ENIL achieved a major success in its advocacy campaign in defence of the right to legal capacity. At the beginning of July the Committee …

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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Neurodivergent Women: Unmasking Bias – Webinar

03/09/202503/09/2025

Neurodivergent Women: Unmasking Bias – Webinar

Behind Masking and Gender Bias Exploring the intersection of neurodiversity, gender, and disability rights Date: Wednesday, 3 SeptemberTime: 10.00-11.30 CET Location: Zoom The event …

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International Summer school on disability representation

25/08/202530/08/2025

International Summer school on disability representation

Organised by: ENIL Youth Network, with support from the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe  This summer, we are taking control of …

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Contact us

Meet the team!

Our people

Support our cause

Donate to ENIL!

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