The 11th edition of the ENIL Freedom Drive ended last week, on 25 September. After over a year of planning, we finally got together in Brussels for the three busy and magical days, filled with conversations, shouting, laughter and solidarity.
This was one of the biggest Freedom Drives so far, with some 320 participants and personal assistants joining us in the European Parliament, the Residence Palace, the EU Thon Hotel and in the streets of Brussels. We counted almost 40 nationalities. This means that the Freedom Drivers came from almost every corner of Europe – from Armenia to Sweden, and from Iceland to Bulgaria.
The topic of this year’s Freedom Drive was Reclaiming our Rights NOW! We discussed what we would like the European Union to deliver as part of the remaining five years of the European Disability Rights Strategy. We addressed new Members of the European Parliament, handing them our Freedom Drive demands and asking them to prioritise the right to independent living in their mandates. We agreed what should be added to the existing Independent Living Pillars, to make sure that they are fit for now, and for the future.
The first day, during the workshops, we heard from almost 20 different speakers on topics such as international cooperation, developing Centers for Independent Living and supported decision making. This mutual learning and exchange continued during the conference, where we focused on the topics of deinstitutionalisation, personal assistance and intersectionality. Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, who is at the end of her mandate, gave a speech and heard our concerns about the continued investments of EU funds into institutions. Minister for Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt, acknowledged there was a long way to go until Brussels becomes welcoming of disabled people.
The highlight of the Freedom Drive was the protest – against institutions, for independent living and human rights. An estimated 500 people joined on a relatively sunny day (for once), marching past the European Commission to the European Parliament. Many of the banners were created by the Freedom Drivers the day before, during the art workshop. Once we were at the European Parliament, many MEPs came out to meet us and share messages of support and commitment to work with us for full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
After the protest and our hearing in the European Parliament, it was time to celebrate our 35th Anniversary and to remember Adolf Ratzka, who left us this summer. We were joined by two founders – John Evans and Rafaello Belli – and we heard from ENIL’s supporters – Uloba – Independent Living Norway, STIL and MEP Katrin Langensiepen.
We announced the Martin Naughton Prize, which will be used to provide stipends to young independent living activists to join the future Freedom Drives.
Beside all the organised events, the Freedom Drive provided us, as ever, with an opportunity to socialise, to catch up with old and meet new friends and colleagues, and to forge plans for new actions to fight for independent living all over Europe.
We thank everyone who contributed to this year’s Freedom Drive, as a volunteer, sponsor, speaker, moderator or a participant. We invite you to leave us your feedback, so that the next edition in 2026 is even better.
Recordings and photos from the Freedom Drive 2024 will be posted on the Freedom Drive website in the coming weeks. A more detailed report will be available by the end of October.
If you would like to share your photos or videos with ENIL, please email michael.goossens@enil.eu.
