‘Joint Action Funding’ from the European Commission to support the EEG in delivering successful national training seminars

Policy Areas European Expert Group The 'European Expert Group (EEG) on the transition from institutional to community-based care' is a broad coalition gathering stakeholders representing people with care or support needs, children, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health problems and homeless people; as well as public authorities, service providers and intergovernmental organisations. The aim of the EEG is to provide expertise and support the planning and implementation of Member States’ policies for deinstitutionalisation based on the 'Common European Guidelines' and 'Toolkit' published in 2012. Working together with the European Commission and national governments, the EEG supports the organisation of national training seminars across EU Member States in order to build the capacity of public authorities at national, regional and local level to make the best use of EU Structural Funds in the deinstitutionalisation process. ESN’s role within the EEG In June 2013 ESN became co-chair of the EEG alongside the European Disability Forum and UNICEF and has been important in shaping the strategic direction of the group. We have also led a successful application for ‘Joint Action Funding’ from the European Commission to support the EEG in delivering successful national training seminars in eight countries in 2014. ESN has contributed to the organisation of national training seminars in several countries, including Latvia, Hungary and Poland and will be responsible managing the financial and administrative side of the Joint Action until the end of 2014. EEG members The EEG consists of the following organisations: COFACE – Confederation of Family Organisations in the EU; EASPD – European Association of Service Providers for People with Disabilities; EDF – European Disability Forum; ENIL/ECCL – European Network on Independent Living/European Coalition for Community Living; ESN – European Social Network; Eurochild; FEANTSA – European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless; Inclusion Europe; Lumos; Mental Health Europe; Mental Health Initiative Open Society Foundations; UN OHCHR – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Europe; UNICEF. For more information on this topic lease contact ESN Policy Officer Marianne Doyen. http://www.esn-eu.org/european-expert-group/index.html