Over the past 25 years, EASPD has built a network that currently represents, through its direct members, over 20,000 support services for persons with disabilities and their families all over Europe. Our members are committed to implementing the UN CRPD in transforming their services, and in doing so, striving to bring about innovation and new approaches in developing high-quality services that promote the full participation and inclusion in society of all persons with disabilities. Their continuous efforts and commitment to deliver high-quality services despite financial, political, and societal constraints have facilitated the enjoyment of human rights of millions of persons with disabilities across Europe.

To highlight the achievements of our members as leaders of innovation, we launched the first edition of the Innovation Awards and opened a call for applications.

Overall, 80 practices were submitted by our members for consideration in the Innovation Awards. From these 80, our specialised jury selected 25 practices which they felt best met the criteria. These practices each contributed to the advancement of service provision in one or more of the thematic areas of the EASPD member fora which include: Arts and Culture, Early Intervention, Education, Employment, Inclusive Living, Person-Centred Technology, Policy Impact and Workforce Development and Human Resources.

Within each of the 8 categories, one winner was selected. These were:

Arts and Culture: Arts for All Cork — Cope Foundation

Employment: Implementation of smart assistive Augmented Reality work and training stations — Lichtwerk

Person-Centred Technology: Waymap App — Waymap

Education: TOL Dual: Transition towards the open labour market — Chance B

Workforce Development and Human Resources: NAHDINE — Dominiek Savio vzw

Inclusive Living: Support service for women with disabilities who are victims of discrimination and/or violence — AIAS Bologna

Policy Impact: Self-advocacy for better inclusion — Keystone Human Services International Moldova

Early Intervention: The Forum of Organisations and Parents for Children with Disabilities — Beit Issie Shapiro

The 8 winners were provided with the opportunity to join us in person for our 25th Anniversary Conference, where they were presented with a personalised award created by artist Amy Begley during our Gala Dinner.

All chosen 25 practices have been published in our Innovative Practices Booklet, which is now available online. Throughout the upcoming months, we will be spotlighting one of the 25 practices each week throughout our EASPD network, beginning with the winners of each of the 8 thematic areas. Each of the articles will be uploaded on the EASPD website on our dedicated webpage.

Congratulations once again to the 25 winners and we hope their practices act as inspiration for many!