all across Europe
European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities
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The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) is the leading voice of disability services across Europe, representing over 20,000 services in 50 different countries.
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We promote human rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities through effective and high-quality support.
Key areas of work
areas of work
Education
areas of work
Employment
areas of work
Inclusive Living
areas of work
Technology
areas of work
Early Childhood Intervention
areas of work
Arts and Culture
areas of work
Workforce Development
areas of work
Funding of Social Services
We must take concrete steps to transform services into person-centered models that empower individuals, while positioning service providers as key drivers of this shift toward a human rights-based approach.
Kirsi Konola, EASPD President
EASPD Policy Café: State Aid rules under the General Block Exception Regulation (GBER)
Please note that this meeting is for EASPD members only.
The European Commission is currently revising the State aid rules under the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), which directly affects how social services can be funded and supported across the EU. This meeting aims to gather members’ experiences with the current rules, identify the main challenges they face in accessing and using State aid, and collect concrete proposals for improvement. The discussion will help us develop common priorities and strengthen our advocacy to ensure that the revised GBER better reflects the specificities of social services for people with disabilities, including the social economy and not-for-profit sector.
Agenda
11:00 | Welcome & Objectives of the meeting |
11:05 | State Aid – the General Block Exception Regulation
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11:15 | Members’ Experiences: Challenges with Current Rules
|
11:50 | Members’ Proposals: Improving the Rules Concrete suggestions on how GBER could better reflect social services specificities |
12:20 | Wrap up and next steps |
New resources to help shape the future of EU social investment
Discover EASPD's new advocacy tools to influence the next EU budget and strengthen support for people and inclusive communities.
Disability issues gain visibility in the 2026 European Semester
The 2026 European Semester includes record disability references, highlighting growing EU attention to inclusion and social protection.
Recommendations for community-based support across Europe
The European Expert Group calls on the next EU Presidencies to prioritise deinstitutionalisation and inclusive support systems.
How to support unaccompanied children in migration?
New GUIDE project report highlights guardians’ needs, ongoing challenges and solutions to strengthen support for unaccompanied children.
Travel Grants available for EASPD’s 30th Anniversary Conference in Brussels
EASPD is offering financial support for organisations to attend its international conference on 5-7 October.
Stand for mental health care built on choice
EASPD urges Council of Europe to withdraw mental health proposal allowing forced treatment, protecting autonomy and human rights.
EASPD joins high-level procurement dialogue ahead of new EU Act
EASPD joined an EU procurement dialogue in Brussels, discussing the future public procurement rules and what it means for our sector.
INCLUSIVE-PATH opens doors after school
INCLUSIVE-PATH partners met in Cyprus to refine educational tools and plan next steps to ensure inclusive transitions into work.
Calendar
EASPD Policy Café: State Aid rules under the General Block Exception Regulation (GBER)
Please note that this meeting is for EASPD members only.
The European Commission is currently revising the State aid rules under the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), which directly affects how social services can be funded and supported across the EU. This meeting aims to gather members’ experiences with the current rules, identify the main challenges they face in accessing and using State aid, and collect concrete proposals for improvement. The discussion will help us develop common priorities and strengthen our advocacy to ensure that the revised GBER better reflects the specificities of social services for people with disabilities, including the social economy and not-for-profit sector.
Agenda
11:00 | Welcome & Objectives of the meeting |
11:05 | State Aid – the General Block Exception Regulation
|
11:15 | Members’ Experiences: Challenges with Current Rules
|
11:50 | Members’ Proposals: Improving the Rules Concrete suggestions on how GBER could better reflect social services specificities |
12:20 | Wrap up and next steps |