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.
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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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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From questions in the classroom to disability advocacy
By Sofia Gonçalves – ENIL’s Trainee Hi everyone! I’m Sofia Gonçalves, a visually impaired woman. I am originally from Portugal, though I’ve called Brussels …
On My Way To ENIL
By Yannis Vitsos – ENIL’s ESC Volunteer I’m currently sitting at my desk, at ENIL’s office, looking at my to-do list for this week. …
Nadia Hadad elected Vice President of the European Disability Forum
ENIL warmly congratulates Nadia Hadad, ENIL Board Co-Chair, on her election as Vice President of the European Disability Forum. EDF is one of the …
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 MapUpcoming Events
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28/05/2026 – 28/05/2026
WEBINAR: How to use International Complaints to Challenge Institutionalization under the CRPDDate: Thursday, 28 May 2026Time: 15:00 – 17:00 CETLocation: Online via ZoomRegister: https://shorturl.at/mMcLs Accessibility: Captioning, International Sign Language and Mandarin interpretation will be provided. …
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12/06/2026 – 12/06/2026
WEBINAR: Co-production in Independent Living ResearchOrganised by ENIL’s Independent Living Research Network Date: 12 JuneTime: 10:00 – 12:00 CESTLocation: Online via ZoomRegister: https://shorturl.at/YPmcv This webinar will explore how research …
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16/06/2026 – 30/06/2026
Promoting Age Equality: Strategic Litigation Training Series (StratAGEic)We are pleased to invite you to a three-step learning process on strategic litigation, a progressive pathway guiding participants from understanding structural problems, to …
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