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.
Join us!
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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The European Disability Card – What is in it?To become law the European Disability Card as some more steps to complete. Already now it is possible to evaluate the results and draw …
Press release: The Independent Living Day5th of May 2024 According to independent research, there are still at least 1,4 million disabled people living in institutions in the European Union. …
Pedaling for ChangeMax Thurston’s Adventure to Advocate for Independent Living Hello! My name is Max Thurston, and I’m a PhD researcher and passionate adventure cyclist from …
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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22/05/2024 – 22/05/2024
Research Webinar: Opportunities and Barriers to Independent Living in EuropeENIL’s Independent Living Research Network is organising a webinar to discuss research related to opportunities and barriers to Independent Living in Europe. We have …
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21/05/2024 – 28/05/2024
Training on Disabled Women and Political ParticipationIn partnership with Elena Ratoi, ENIL presents a two-session training on empowering disabled women in political participation and leadership. This program, designed for up …
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23/09/2024 – 25/09/2024
Freedom Drive 2024The next Freedom Drive will take place from 23 – 25 September 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. It will be the 11th edition of this …
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