Living Independently in the Community: Exploring Support Through ESF+
On 4th December, the Community of Practice on Social Inclusion hosted an online event ‘Living Independently in the Community: What Support Can Be Provided by ESF+?’. The event gathered 100 participants from 19 EU Member States, all united in exploring how the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) can support the shift towards community living and independent living for people with disabilities, seniors, and other vulnerable groups.
The main goal of the event was to provide an overview of the EU’s deinstitutionalisation (DI) framework and the progress made by Member States in making community living a realistic and inclusive model. Discussions focused on the benefits of community-based services and highlighted how ESF+ funding can play a pivotal role in helping people transition from institutional care to independent living, supported by empowering services.
The Need for Deinstitutionalisation
Despite the progress made, independent living is still out of reach for many people. Across Europe, people with disabilities, elderly individuals, and vulnerable children continue to face institutionalisation and segregation. However, with the new guidance from the European Commission, the debate on deinstitutionalisation (DI) and community living has been reignited, offering renewed hope for a more inclusive approach to care.
The good news is that effective, inspiring models for independent living already exist. With the support of ESF+, Member States can transition individuals from institutional care to community living, where they are empowered to lead more independent, fulfilling lives.
Key Insights from Speakers
Guna Anca, Thematic Expert of the CoP on Social Inclusion, emphasised that deinstitutionalisation is not just about moving people out of institutions; it’s about ensuring they are integrated into communities equipped with accessible, high-quality services. She noted that deinstitutionalisation applies not only to adults with disabilities but also to children and older adults, whose specific needs and potentials should be equally prioritised.
Elizabeth Gosme, representative of COFACE Families Europe, shared her perspective on the critical role of families in supporting individuals with disabilities. She pointed out that societal attitudes often block progress, and institutionalisation begins early in life, particularly in childcare and educational settings. By the time children with disabilities reach schools, they are frequently excluded, and transitioning to inclusive education becomes a significant challenge. Gosme stressed the need for early intervention and a shift in the education system to provide more inclusive options for children with disabilities. She noted that many COFACE members, such as ‘Leap’ in Ireland and ‘Ouders voor inclusie‘ in Belgium, are working to support families in challenging institutionalised education and care systems.
Olga Martinez de Briones from the European Commission discussed the recent guidance on independent living adopted as part of the EU Disability Strategy 2030. This guidance focuses on accelerating the transition from institutional care to community-based services, emphasising a shift from a medical model of disability to a social inclusion model that prioritises individual autonomy. The guidance also aims to improve accessibility, foster independent living, and utilise EU funds to support these transitions. According to Martinez de Briones, effective implementation relies on collaboration across sectors and building capacity among stakeholders to ensure lasting, positive change.
Promising Practices in ESF/ESF+ Funded Projects
Several inspiring projects funded by ESF and ESF+ were highlighted, demonstrating real-world applications of independent living and community integration. Tatjana Knapp from ‘Zavod Risa’ in Slovenia shared the ‘Easy to Read’ project, which focuses on making communication more accessible for individuals with intellectual disabilities. By developing tools and guidelines to simplify information, the project has empowered people to take control of their own lives, fostering self-advocacy and even pushing for legislative changes like voting rights for all citizens. It also introduced supported decision-making services, offering an alternative to guardianship, showing how accessible communication can play a crucial role in promoting independence and social inclusion.
From Spain, Maria Tussy of Fundación ONCE presented the ‘UniDiversity’ programme, an initiative aimed at young people with intellectual disabilities and autism. In partnership with universities, this ESF-funded programme provides one-year training courses that combine education and practical work experience. Over 500 students benefit annually from the programme, with 25% securing employment after graduation. Beyond academics, the programme emphasises independent living, offering experiences like living in student accommodations alongside non-disabled peers. The project’s inclusive summer campus further promotes cultural and social integration across Europe, challenging societal perceptions of disability.
In Greece, Dimitris Nikolsky discussed the country’s national strategy for deinstitutionalisation, which has led to significant progress, including a 60% reduction in children living in institutional care over the past four years. The strategy also includes creating accessible housing and social services that support independence. Dimitris highlighted how Greece is using digitalisation to improve the accessibility of social care, aiming to reduce reliance on institutional care while fostering an environment of inclusion, with support from both EU funds and national recovery initiatives.
Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussion: How to Benefit More from ESF+ for Community and Independent Living
The panel discussion offered valuable insights on how to maximise the impact of ESF+ funding for community and independent living initiatives. Milan Šveřepa emphasised the urgent need for deinstitutionalisation, pointing out that approximately 800,000 people with intellectual disabilities in Europe are still living in institutions. He called for better data collection, community-based policies, and greater involvement of people with disabilities in decision-making processes to drive these changes forward.
Elizabeth Gosme stressed the critical role of families in supporting individuals with disabilities. She argued that family carers should be recognised as a target group for ESF+ funding and called for more professional services, respite care, and financial support for family-led organisations.
Lilith Alink highlighted the challenges smaller NGOs face in accessing EU funds and argued for a more targeted approach to funding that would support independent living and help build the capacity of organisations to provide person-centred care. Additionally, there was a shared recognition of the need for better training of professionals in the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), person-centred care, and supported decision-making to ensure the success of these initiatives.
The panel also called for greater cross-sector collaboration to align EU funds with national policies supporting social inclusion. By improving the planning and execution of funding interventions, stakeholders can ensure that community living projects meet the real needs of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, creating a more inclusive and independent society for all.
The ‘Living Independently in the Community: What Support Can Be Provided by ESF+?’ event highlighted the significant progress made towards deinstitutionalisation and the development of community living models across Europe. While challenges remain, the event underscored the importance of collaboration, targeted funding, and capacity-building to ensure that people with disabilities, elderly, and other vulnerable groups can live independently and be fully integrated into society. Thanks to initiatives supported by ESF+ and the ongoing commitment from all stakeholders, the vision of a more inclusive Europe is steadily becoming a reality.