1. Drawing lessons from the past and suggestions for the future
Next MFF:
Drawing lessons from the past and suggestions for the future
EESC
Sabrina Ferraina, Policy Manager (EASPD)

2. Represents 17.000 support services in Europe
EASPD
Established in 1996
Represents support services in Europe
Mission: promote equal opportunities through high quality support service systems
Accredited to the conference of States Parties to the UN CRPD
EASPD is part of the European Expert Group on transition from institutional to community-based care (EEG)

3. Key areas in which reforms are needed
Delivery of community-based care systems
Development of services in rural areas
Training and re-training of staff
Innovation (co-production, person-centred planning, etc.)
New support systems to meet new needs
Digitalisation

4. Sustain the sector in periods of cuts Complement national resources
EU funds
Main use of ESIF
Sustain the sector in periods of cuts
Complement national resources
Boost innovative practices
Other EU funds (Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, Solidarity Corps, etc.)
Reseach in the sector (collection of data)
Lifelong learning
Uptake of assistive technology

5. Lack of coordination across sectors
Some pressing needs at national level
Austria
Lack of coordination across sectors
Different understanding of community-based care and re-institutionalisation
Bulgaria
Staffing issues
Lack of support services to support persons with disabilities on employment
Legislative reforms on social services and on persons with disabilities

6. More information on needs of children with disabilities
National messages
Finland
More information on needs of children with disabilities
Review implementation of laws
Not enough job coaches and support systems to bring people in the open labour market
Need for stronger cooperation with users (co-production, capacity building, etc.)
Greece
Lack of know-how and standards for staff in education
Need to shift from charity to rights-based approach

7. Lack of concrete action plans in education sector
National messages
Romania
Lack of concrete action plans in education sector
Accessibility of education systems in the community of origin
Spain and Portugal
Deinstitutionalisation hampered by the lack of adequate legislative reforms
Need to focus on rural areas
Development of one-stop shops

8. Promote implementation of supported employment
National messages
Slovakia
Long-term unemployment and poor adaptation of educational programmes to usable and concrete skills
Promote implementation of supported employment
Redirection of funding to individuals and support

9. Concluding observations
The provision of support services has huge difference between and within countries
The transition and the development of community-based care services faces many obstacles with concrete risks of re-institutionalisation and fragmentation of society
Adequate, accessible, affordable and adaptable support systems are the way forward to promote enjoyment of rights
Better cooperation between different sectors (education and employment, health and social sector, etc.) is needed.

10. Monitoring of funds use and expenditure should be improved
Recommendations
ESIF can promote positive developments when supported by strong legal frameworks
Monitoring of funds use and expenditure should be improved
Improve access and management of funds by smaller organisations

11. EASPD position on next Multiannual Financial Framework
Information
EASPD report on the European Semester and the European Pillar of Social Rights
EASPD position on next Multiannual Financial Framework