Proud, Strong and Visible

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 ?

Campaign Icon Illustration Campaigns

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

Project Icon Illustration Projects

Find out about our projects and download the project results.

Factsheets Icon Illustration 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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Job offer: Project Coordinator – LITI-GATE (consultancy) Job offer: Project Coordinator – LITI-GATE (consultancy)

Position: Project Coordinator Location: Location: Brussels or working remotely from another EU country Type of contract: Consultancy contract, 125 days over 24 months (max. …

June 2, 2023

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ENIL at the European Parliament for Persons with Disabilities ENIL at the European Parliament for Persons with Disabilities

Disability activists from all over Europe used the opportunity to highlight the various and persistent barriers faced by disabled people. Decision makers missed the …

May 26, 2023

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Launch of ENILs´ proposal to the Commission Guidance on Independent Living Launch of ENILs´ proposal to the Commission Guidance on Independent Living

At the end of 2023 the European Commission will adopt Guidance to Member States on Independent Living and inclusion in the community. For ENIL …

May 12, 2023

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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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Join our side-event to COSP

Join our side-event to COSP

Implementing the Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, including in emergencies: Challenges, opportunities, and way forward” Practical information: Thursday 15 June 1.15pm-2.30pm EDT United Nations Headquarters in …

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Conference: Assistance Personnelle et Désinstitutionalisation

Conference: Assistance Personnelle et Désinstitutionalisation

Online conference organised by CHA and ENIL Monday 26 June 2023, 10:00 – 17:00, in French and English Join us for the online conference …

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Study Session 2023 (Apply NOW)

12/06/202317/06/2023

Study Session 2023 (Apply NOW)

The ENIL Youth Network, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, is holding a study session at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS) from …

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Contact us

Meet the team!

Our people

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Donate to ENIL!

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