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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Recap from our webinar ‘A Decent Income From Work for All Disabled People’
Our digital roundtable on a decent income for all disabled people yesterday delivered a clear message: Disabled people want access to employment in the …
Martin Naughton: A Pioneer of Independent Living
There are some individuals who live in relentless pursuit of a just cause, who toil for their own human rights and those of their …
In memory of Knut Flaaum (1960 – 2026)
The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL mourns the death of one of the key Independent Living pioneers from Norway – Knut Flaaum. …
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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01/10/2026 – 01/10/2026
Join the Freedom Drive 2026 Protest: No More Excuses – Our Time Is Now!On 1 October 2026, disabled people, Independent Living activists, allies and supporters from across Europe will take to the streets of Brussels for the …
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03/09/2026 – 03/09/2026
Unveiling the Demands to the Freedom Drive 2026We need to return Europe to an agenda of Independent Living and respect for human rights. During the Freedom Drive, our festival of empowerment, …
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29/09/2026 – 01/10/2026
REGISTER NOW! Freedom Drive 2026The Freedom Drive is back! 👉 Click here to register for the Freedom Drive 2026 Organised by the European Network on Independent Living, the …
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