European Network on Independent Living - ENIL

14/10/2026

You can find all the photos (560) by clicking this link: https://adobe.ly/4hIuFA3
Feel free to post them and tag us. Also please credit the photographer Nicolas Wissler

13/10/2026

🌍 Meet ENIL’s Advisory Board on Intersectionality!

How can we build a safer, more diverse and more inclusive Independent Living movement? By bringing different perspectives and lived experiences into the conversation, and into our work.

Our new Advisory Board will help develop ENIL’s first action plan on intersectionality, exploring how disability intersects with racism, gender, migration and other experiences of discrimination.

We warmly welcome our 11 members:

• Dr Carmen Yau
• Ferlin Yücel
• Giulia Dalmonte Feliz
• Isaac Samuels
• Kristína Janačková
• Lavinia Rotundi
• Marie Gisele ONANA
• Michelle Daley
• Ralu Baciu
• Sara Rocha
• Xavier Deruytter

Together, they will share their expertise, shape the plan and help ENIL better reflect the diversity of disabled people’s lives.

🔗 Meet the members and learn more: https://enil.eu/enils-advisory-board-on-intersectionality-shaping-a-safer-more-diverse-and-more-inclusive-network/

12/10/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Cristian Lago Rodríguez, a dedicated disability rights activist and advocate for Independent Living from Barcelona, Spain.

Cristian joined us in Brussels for the Freedom Drive 2026, where he was a speaker during the first day, at our workshop on Personal Assistance. He became unwell and was hospitalised in the evening of the last day of the Freedom Drive, on 1 October. Although he was initially stabilised and placed on the intensive care unit at a Brussels hospital, he unfortunately took a turn for the worse and passed away on the morning of Saturday, 10 October. It is of some comfort that Cristian was accompanied by his personal assistant, his partner and his family during his hospital stay in Brussels.

Cristian was a psychologist and a passionate advocate for the rights of disabled people. Based on both his professional expertise and lived experience, he dedicated much of his life to promoting Independent Living, Personal Assistance, accessibility and the right of disabled people to make their own choices and participate fully in society. His advocacy had a significant impact in his country.

We are grateful that Cristian was part of our Freedom Drive and shared his knowledge, experience and commitment with our movement. He came with a lot of enthusiasm and belief for change, and we and others will honour his legacy and continue his work.

We extend our sincere condolences to Cristian's family, his partner, friends, PAs, colleagues and everyone who knew him.

Rest in power, Cristian.

09/10/2026

We asked several Freedom Drive participants one question: what does Freedom Drive mean to you? Hear their answers and relive the moments we shared. 💚

They spoke about sharing experiences, finding solutions together and making our demands heard loud and clear. About inspiring each other and returning home with new energy to push for change. As Florian put it, “a festival for freedom and empowerment.”

Freedom Drive may be over, but we carry that energy into our everyday fight for Independent Living, with new ideas, stronger friendships and plenty of memories of having fun together. Stay until the end for some of those! 🎉

What did you take home from Freedom Drive? Tell us in the comments.

08/10/2026

The Power of Human Connection. Article by Kamil Goungor 👇

Movements are not built only through papers, research and events. They are built by people who care about each other.

Before we can fight as a movement, we need to become and feel that we are part of one. We need to know each other, trust each other, share experiences and care about what happens to one another. And when that happens, I think we become much more powerful.

I was personally reminded of all this during this year's Freedom Drive. Just minutes away from an event I had spent so much time working on and preparing for, and for which I had been very excited about, I got sick. And I missed it…

Anyone who knows me can probably imagine how frustrating that was. Afterwards, a colleague told me, "Sorry you missed it, we know how much you like socialising". My immediate thought was: it's not socialising, it's connecting.

And strangely, even though I missed Freedom Drive physically, in many ways I still felt part of it. My phone and laptop kept bringing Freedom Drive to me. I received messages, photos, updates and even gossip. People who were there took the time to ask how I was doing. Others told me they missed me, checked whether I needed anything and offered support. Some visited me. I even got a gift!

When relationships are real, being absent from the room doesn't mean being absent from the movement.
Because the movement is also what happens after the conference finishes.

It is the dinner afterwards, the book exchange, the conversations that have nothing to do with the agenda, the friendships that cross borders, the person who notices you are missing, the message asking if you are ok, and the person who stays with you when you are sick.

Maybe that is one of the differences between an organisation and a movement. An organisation can function because people work together. A movement goes beyond that and becomes powerful because people feel that they belong together.

I missed Freedom Drive this year, but in a way, I was still there. Thank you for that. This is the power of true connection. The power of our movement.

Full article: https://enil.eu/the-power-of-human-connection/ 😊

07/10/2026

🚨 Think EU money is funding institutions? Read below how to recognise it, and report it.

An institution is a living arrangement where disabled people lack meaningful choice and control over their lives: where and with whom they live, their daily routines, or who supports them.

Common misconceptions 👇

▪️ “It’s too small to be an institution.”
Small group homes can also operate as institutions.

▪️ “It’s modern and the staff are kind.”
Seemingly ''good conditions'' do not replace freedom and control.

▪️ “It’s in a neighbourhood, so it’s community living.”
A community address does not guarantee inclusion.

▪️ “Independent living means doing everything alone.”
It means choosing how you live, with the support you need.

Suspect misuse? Take these steps:

1️⃣ Document your concerns. Save the project name, location, funding details and evidence of what is happening.

2️⃣ Contact the authority managing the funding programme. Search “European Commission national single portals” to find your country’s EU funding website and the relevant programme.

3️⃣ For suspected breaches of EU law by national authorities, search “European Commission report a breach of EU law.” A rights concern does not have to involve fraud.
A disabled people’s organisation may be able to help you prepare your complaint.

📌 Save this post so you know where to report concerns.

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

“Stop funding institutions, invest in accessibility.”

Speaking during the Freedom Drive, , Member of the European Parliament, calls for EU money to support disabled people’s freedom, choice and inclusion.

Her message is clear: people should be able to see where public money goes, and EU countries must commit to investing in accessibility. Disabled people are taxpayers, customers and members of our communities. Removing barriers is an investment in everyone’s participation.

She wants that commitment reflected in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s seven-year spending plan, covering 2028–2034. The decisions made about this budget will help shape what the EU funds and which priorities receive support.

You can help by contacting your Members of the European Parliament and national representatives. Ask them to support funding for accessible housing, transport, personal assistance and community services, and to prevent EU money from supporting segregation. Support organisations led by disabled people and share this interview to help spread the message.



Will you ask your EU representatives to support funding for Independent Living?

02/10/2026

Thank you 🙏. Whether you joined us on the streets of Brussels, shared your experiences in our discussions or supported us from afar, you were part of this.

Hopefully, one day, the Freedom Drive will simply be a celebration of our identity, our community and the rights we have secured together. A day when we no longer have to demand the freedom to choose where, how and with whom we live.

But until that day comes, we will keep organising, speaking out and fighting for a Europe where no disabled person faces discrimination, segregation or exclusion.

Freedom Drive 2026 may be over, but our fight continues ✊