EASPD is the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities and represents over 15.000 support services for persons with disabilities across Europe
13th March saw the first launch of the first EURECO Forum, which aims to support more innovative research on inclusive community development, through collaboration between service providers, researchers and persons with disabilities.
In a letter to the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), the European Commission has clarified how the European Union (EU) Public Procurement Directive is applicable to the procurement of social services. EASPD has long called for the inclusion of quality criteria into all tendering of social services as a crucial element for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) launches its report: ‘The European Semester and Social Investment: Addressing the funding gap in social services,’ to support the an increase in funding into the sector.
On Tuesday 30st January EASPD and its partners in the Taskforce “Support Services of Tomorrow” (EDF, COFACE Families-Europe, ENIL, Inclusion Europe and MHE-SME) cohosted the event ‘Co-producing employment initiatives for young persons with disabilities and mental health problems’ alongside MEP Brando Benifei. The event engaged MEPs, Commission officials, social service providers, employers, persons with disabilities as well as civil society to share best practices and discuss how we can empower all stakeholders in the design, development and delivery of inclusive employment practices.
On the 23rd January, the High-Level Taskforce on Investing in Social Infrastructure in Europe presented their report on how to boost investment in healthcare, long-term care, education and social housing in the European Union. Highlighting important underinvestment in these areas, the high-level taskforce -led by former President of the European Commission Romano Prodi- recommends practical steps the European Union and relevant stakeholders should take to meet the funding gap.
The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) launched earlier this week its latest report “Investing in Social Care and Support, a European Imperative” in a Conference organised with the European Policy Centre. The message was clear: the European Union must develop a European Strategy for Quality Social Infrastructure. The Strategy would include a fund dedicated to the needs of the social sectors, strengthen the capacity of social service providers and investors to build a pipeline of quality projects and support the exchange of quality social infrastructure investment standards.
The implementation of EU Working Time Directive in the sector of social care and support services for persons with disabilities is facing critical challenges. Provision of personalized and community-based support requires flexible working patterns for staff working in the sector. To ensure this flexibility, service providers, who often operate under severe financial constraints, have no choice but to circumvent the Directive. This has direct consequences on the quality of services and working conditions. In order to make the Directive work in social care and support, it has to be adapted to the needs of the sector.
During the EASPD international conference taking place in Podgorica, Montenegro, on the 26-27 October, 170 professionals from Europe and beyond gathered to debate around Sustainable Development Goals and their link to the realisation of supportive and inclusive communities. The event was organised in cooperation with the Petrović Njegoš Foundation, the Centre de la Gabrielle and Egart.
The Federation of European Social Employers (FESE) was set-up and launched last Friday in Brussels. FESE will aim to take part in European Social Dialogue, represent social services Employers towards the European institutions and contribute to a more social and inclusive Europe. The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) has been actively engaged in helping national Employers set-up FESE over the past few years and fully welcomes the Federation’s creation.
Launch of the Federation of European Social Employers
WEBINAR: Child Guarantee: making it work for children with disabilities
ECI Agora is hosting its final conference this year entitled Early Childhood Intervention -
