De-institutionalisation

The Centre for Independent Living Sofia (CIL Sofia), the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the European Disability Forum (EDF) are organising a conference on investing in Independent Living, to encourage Bulgaria and other Member States to redirect funding from ‘special services’ towards individualised support and mainstream options that facilitate social inclusion and active…

ENIL continues its campaign activities and is monitoring issues related to the use of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) in several Member States: Hungary, Slovenia, France, Portugal and Romania. This involves working together with national NGOs and with representatives of the European Commission (DG EMPL and DG REGIO). New countries are being added…

In cooperation with our French members and with the support of MEP Pascal Durand, ENIL helped organise a conference earlier this month to raise awareness about the situation of disabled people and advocate for the right to independent living in France. Last year, France was visited by the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of…

On 23 – 26 July, the Ninth Working Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) will take place at the UN headquarters in New York. OEWGA was established by the UN General Assembly in 2010, in order to look at the existing international framework on the human rights of older persons and identify…

On 16th March, the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) took part in a roundtable in the Croatian Parliament, organised by Platform 112 and hosted by the Member of Parliament Bojan Glavašević. Platform 112 is a coalition of civil society organisations – among them the Association for Self-Advocacy – focused on promoting the rule of law.

Towards the end of last year, ENIL, in cooperation with Nic Crosby (GatherBuildWork), decided to relaunch and reinvent the European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL), as an open platform and a resource for supporting independent living and the closure of institutions for disabled people.

The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) has launched its Briefing on EU Funds and Independent Living on 8th March at the European Parliament. The event was hosted by MEPs Miram Dalli, Jana Zitnanska, Julie Ward and Pascal Durand.

ENIL’s “EU Funds for Our Rights” Campaign continues in 2018, with awareness raising and capacity building activities for NGOs, and meetings with MEPs and the European Commission. Read about our recent and upcoming events and learn how you can get involved in the campaign.

A paper explaining the Council Conclusions, by setting out its positive elements and pointing to areas of concern.

This article, written by the human rights lawyer Constantin Cojocariu, explains the significance of the recent ruling in N. v. Romania for the process of deinstitutionalisation in Romania.

Brussels, 4 December – The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on 3 December, is an opportunity to take stock of progress achieved towards the right to independent living for all. It is a day to celebrate, but also to protest, against the continued denial of basic human rights that allow disabled people to live dignified lives.

On 12 – 13 October, the Estonian Presidency organised the conference “Dignity + Independent Living = DI”. Held in Tallin, Estonia, its aims were: to discuss ways to accelerate the transition from institutional care to community living in the EU and more…

A training on Human Rights and Persons with Disabilities, under the framework of the Informal Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Seminar on Human Rights was designed and delivered by a team of ENIL trainers.

On 7 September, the European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care (EEG), of which ENIL is a member, published a response to the reflection paper on the future of the finances of the European Union (EU).

ENIL welcomes the recent adoption of the General comment No 5 on Article 19 of the UN CRPD on living independently and being included in the community. It is a key step forward in clarifying the States parties obligations under the Convention, with a potential to improve access to independent living.

ENIL is pleased to launch its new briefing on the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), focused on the monitoring and complaints system, and the extent to which it is able to ensure ESI Funds are used to support independent living.

ENIL sent two written submissions on Article 19 of the UN CRPD to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities earlier this month. The Committee is in the process of drafting the General Comment on Article 19 and the aim of the submissions was to provide detailed comments in relation to the suggested provisions.

ENIL’s “EU Funds for Our Rights” Campaign continues with awareness raising activities among Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission officials.

Over the past two years, ENIL has been co-chairing the European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care (EEG). Now that this time is coming to an end, we have decided to take stock of our work in EEG and to reflect on the challenges ahead.

ENIL’s “EU Funds for Our Rights” Campaign continues with awareness raising activities and is regularly reminding Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission officials of the importance of efficient use of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).