On the 8th of June, the Centre for Independent Living Sofia (CIL Sofia), the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the European Disability Forum (EDF) are organising an event in Sofia on the topic ‘Investing in Independent Living’. It will focus on how the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are used in relation to persons with disabilities to promote their independent living.
The event will:
Promote an understanding of independent living based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the General Comment on Article 19 (living independently and being included in the community).
- Present the measures which require public investment in order to uphold the right to independent living for persons with disabilities.
- Analyse the current approaches to deinstitutionalisation and present practices on access to support, housing, education, and employment.
- Propose recommendations for the current and future ESIF programming period, in order to ensure public authorities finance independent living practices in line with the CRPD.
- During the event, ENIL and EDF will launch a joint report on best practices on Independent Living.
The event is contextual to the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency and Government which recognises the importance of Cohesion Policy and states that it will:
‘…work for an active and constructive debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework. We are aware that the world is changing, and overcoming the challenges requires resources. We are convinced that we have to look for a balance between the new funds and the already existing ones, between the financial instruments and the grant financing.’
The event will target national authorities, NGOs representing persons with disabilities, children and other relevant user groups, and other stakeholders. Speakers and participants from European institutions, international organisations and organisations of persons with disabilities will exchange views and present laws and practices promoting independent living.
The Draft Agenda is available here.
For more information, please contact Ines Bulic ines.bulic@enil.eu
