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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.

Power chair user with microphone screaming with fist raised. Across the website, photos show ENIL members in everyday and activist settings. Some use wheelchairs. There is a mix of genders. Most have white skin.

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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What do we do ?

Campaigns

Learn more about our campaigns, such as the Freedom Drive.

Projects

Find out about our projects and download the project results.

Factsheet

Explore the themes ENIL is working on, such as Independent Living or deinstitutionalisation.

Join us!

ENIL provides a platform for grassroots activists and organisations

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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Youth Exchange for All – Morocco Youth Exchange for All – Morocco

ENIL Youth Board member Fatma Yazıcı took part in the training course “Youth Exchanges for ALL” in Fez, coordinated by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity …

May 28, 2026

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From Independent Living to European Advocacy From Independent Living to European Advocacy

By Anna Decandia – ENIL’s ESC Volunteer Hello everyone! I’m Anna, I’m 25, and I’ve recently moved from Northern Italy to join the ENIL …

From questions in the classroom to disability advocacy From questions in the classroom to disability advocacy

By Sofia Gonçalves – ENIL’s Trainee Hi everyone! I’m Sofia Gonçalves, a visually impaired woman. I am originally from Portugal, though I’ve called Brussels …

May 27, 2026

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Independent Living Map

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 Map

Upcoming Events

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CRPD at 20: Are we any closer to Independent Living for All?

CRPD at 20: Are we any closer to Independent Living for All?

Side event during the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (COSP 19) Date: 9 June 2026Time: 10:00 – 11:15 …

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WEBINAR: How to use International Complaints to Challenge Institutionalization under the CRPD

28/05/202628/05/2026

WEBINAR: How to use International Complaints to Challenge Institutionalization under the CRPD

Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026Time: 15:00 – 17:00 CETLocation: Online via ZoomRegister: https://shorturl.at/Ljeaa Accessibility: Captioning, International Sign Language and Mandarin interpretation will be provided. …

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WEBINAR: Co-production in Independent Living Research

12/06/202612/06/2026

WEBINAR: Co-production in Independent Living Research

Organised by ENIL’s Independent Living Research Network Date: 12 JuneTime: 10:00 – 12:00 CESTLocation: Online via ZoomRegister: https://shorturl.at/YPmcv This webinar will explore how research …

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Contact us

Meet the team!

Our people

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