On 4th and 5th December in Brussels, EFFE participated in the 2025 European Day of Persons with Disabilities, an annual conference organised by the European Commission, that gathers EU-level, national and local organisations, policymakers and citizens with disabilities to promote the inclusion and equality of people with disabilities across Europe.
The various panels explored the measures taken by the EU and its Member States to continue advancing the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. This strategy must result in tangible improvements in eight areas of action, including accessibility to services and care, independent living and equal participation in the labour market.
Financing instruments were at the heart of the discussions, first of all the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. The Commission’s proposal on the MFF was presented by Franck Conrad, Head of the Unit for “Budget Performance, Coordination and Communication” within the Directorate-General for Budget. Organisations working in the field of disability called for cohesion policy, social funds and other EU instruments to be aligned with the objectives of the EU Strategy 2021-2030. They also recommended going further by ensuring that accessibility and inclusion are systematically integrated into EU funding.
The event highlighted numerous initiatives at national and local level that are helping to promote independence, inclusion and accessibility. For example, through the Ministry of Social Welfare, Cyprus supports projects co-financed by the European Social Fund that help families with the education of their children with disabilities and with daily tasks. Specialised workers come to their homes to help them in their living environment. Cyprus has also been supporting projects to transition from institutional care to community-based and home care since 2014.
The issue of deinstitutionalisation also came up during a discussion on Poland, where 124,000 people receive care in institutions. Despite the willingness and commitment of many local associations, it has been observed that European funds have regularly financed the construction or modernisation of specialised care facilities and other institutions, rather than financing home care.
The transition from institutional care to community-based and home care is one of the priorities of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2006.
Moving forward, EFFE will remain attentive to these challenges, advocating for home care as a means to protect people’s freedom to choose where they live and to provide dignified support for all those who need care at home.