EC Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding

On 20 November 2024, the European Commission adopted its much-awaited Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding. It is built on the principles of non-discrimination and equality, enshrined in Articles 10 and 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It aligns with the European Pillar of Social Rights and Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The aim is to support Member States in transitioning from institutional to community-based care, by providing practical examples for implementing EU funds in this context, particularly in areas of housing, accessibility, and person-centred service delivery. To achieve this, the Guidance suggests that EU member states develop a strategy for deinstitutionalisation, prepared in consultation with persons with disabilities, time bound targets and dedicated budget and resources. Annexed, it contains a self-assessment tool. This Guidance has been developed thanks to the inputs of civil society organisations, such as EPR.

The Guidance is interlinked with the other Flagship initiatives of the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021 - 2030, which the European Commission has been working on in the past year, primary amongst which is the Framework on Social Services of Excellence. The understanding is that independent living is a cross-cutting topic and thus must be mainstreamed in other policy areas.

The Guidance defines the pillars of independent living as:

Prevention of institutionalisation:Safeguarding legal capacity and addressing risks of institutionalization.
Person-centred approach: putting the person at the centre of the service, according to their individual needs and choices.
Quality Services: Enhancing accessible, affordable, and quality services in the community.
Community Inclusion: Removing barriers through accessibility improvements and combating stereotypes.
Participation of persons with disabilities: Ensuring involvement of persons with disabilities in the design and implementation of measures.

Using the Guidance as a basis, the EPR Task Force on Pathways to Community Inclusion has formulated a set of recommendations aimed at national and EU decision-makers on how to operationalise the principles of independent living:

Strengthening holistic coordinated approaches

A successful transition to independent living requires a holistic and intersectional approach that connects key sectors such as housing, healthcare, and employment. Strengthening coordination between medical and social services, support networks, and organisations of persons with disabilities will enhance service delivery and accessibility. Additionally, improving the accessibility of mainstream services is essential to ensuring that persons with disabilities can fully participate in society. Families also play a crucial role in this process, and better support systems should be put in place to prevent them from carrying the burden of care responsibilities alone. By fostering synergies across sectors and institutions, a more sustainable and inclusive support framework can be achieved.

Developing robust community-based services

A robust community support system is needed to prevent isolation and ensure inclusion. Within such contexts, services should act as facilitators and enablers of social integration. EU funds should ensure that deinstitutionalisation efforts do not recreate segregated environments under new labels, and instead focus on building the capacities of communities to comprehensively meet the needs of people with disabilities. Community-based services should be high quality, measured by their impact on the Quality of Life of service users as a clear metric for advancing independent living. A structured and timely transition requires preparing the community, raising awareness, and establishing a supported independent living model. This approach would involve a team of experts working alongside the community to help individuals with disabilities integrate into society.

Implementing personalised support programs

Adopting a person-centred approach in living arrangements is crucial to ensuring that individuals can make informed choices about their preferred environment. Service providers can develop a life project approach for each service user, with a multidisciplinary team offering tailored support. Technology should be leveraged as a tool to enhance service efficiency and assist individuals with higher or more complex support needs. Transitions must be carefully planned, ensuring continuity of support and daily activities while acknowledging the varying levels of autonomy among individuals. The challenges of deinstitutionalisation must be recognised, and flexible support structures must be in place to respond to each person’s evolving needs.

Including individuals with complex and or high support needs

Transitioning individuals with severe or complex disabilities to independent living requires careful planning to prevent further exclusion. Training programs should focus on shifting mindsets and equipping professionals, caregivers, and policymakers with the tools needed to implement inclusive practices effectively. Additionally, community resistance to integrating individuals with complex needs remains a significant challenge. Strategies should be developed to raise public awareness and promote integration in the community, ensuring that inclusive living arrangements are met with support rather than opposition. By addressing both systemic and societal barriers, individuals with high support needs can be included in meaningful, community-based living environments.

Workforce development, upskilling and training

Professional support is essential to guide persons with disabilities through the process of deinstitutionalisation, preventing feelings of abandonment or being overwhelmed. Therefore, EU funds should be channeled into training and upskilling social services’ staff to better meet the needs of service users at different life stages and support their growing autonomy. Such education, training, and capacity building efforts should aim to address and eradicate institutional culture in all care settings and promote a rights-based approach. Additionally, improving working conditions and increasing resource allocation are critical to attracting and retaining professionals in the sector. A well-trained, motivated workforce is essential to ensuring high-quality services that promote independent living.

Leveraging new technologies

Assistive technologies can play a crucial role in supporting the autonomy of service users and improving their quality of life. AI and digital tools can enhance the efficiency of services, particularly in sectors facing staff shortages and heavy workloads. A multidisciplinary, technology-driven approach should be adopted to increase independence for individuals with higher support needs, ensuring that digital solutions facilitate—not replace—human interaction and community integration. Furthermore, fostering digital literacy through continuous training and upskilling of social service staff is essential. Capacity-building initiatives should be implemented to ensure that professionals remain informed about emerging technologies and best practices that impact service delivery.

Transparent monitoring of services and quality assurance

Robust monitoring mechanisms must be established to ensure that EU funds are allocated effectively and that services uphold the principles of independent living. Particular attention should be given to the implementation of the 2024 EU Guidance, especially in countries with a history of reliance on segregated institutions. Monitoring mechanisms should oversee this process, identifying gaps in social protection and areas for improvement. Additionally, service users should be actively involved in decision-making processes within organisations, ensuring that their voices are heard and that services align with their needs.

Dedicated funding for community-based services

Adequate funding and resource allocation are critical to supporting the transition to independent living. Dedicated funding streams should be established to strengthen community-based services and prevent re-institutionalisation. EU fund allocation must be transparent, prioritising services that promote independent living rather than segregated settings. It is also essential to ensure that small not-for-profit organisations, which play a crucial role in supporting disability inclusion, have access to the resources they need to implement effective programs. Strengthening the capacities of community services, supporting not-for-profit organisations at local, national and European level and raising public awareness will remain key priorities for achieving true inclusion of persons with disabilities.