Lighthouse Network Policy Atelier: Advocacy in an unfavourable context: from EU policymaking to practical strategies
Lighthouse Network Policy Atelier – Session 3: Advocacy in an unfavourable context: from EU policymaking to practical strategies
6 October 2026 | 09:30–15:30 | In person (hybrid)
European decisions can have a direct impact on disability services, funding, rights and inclusion across Europe. Yet for local and national providers, it is not always clear how EU policymaking works, where they can engage or how their experience can contribute to better policy decisions.
The third and final session of the Lighthouse Network Policy Atelier will focus on European advocacy in practice. It will explain the EU’s role in disability policy, explore where local providers can contribute to European advocacy and introduce practical tools and examples for engaging in EU policymaking.
The session will also look at advocacy in more difficult political contexts. As political priorities shift and negative narratives around disability and inclusion gain ground, organisations need practical approaches to keep disability rights on the political agenda and continue making progress.
This session will:
explain how EU decision-making affects local disability providers and disability policy;
explore where and how support services can contribute to European advocacy;
introduce EASPD’s advocacy toolbox and examples of member engagement;
share lessons from other organisations on involving members in European policymaking; and
discuss practical strategies for advancing disability rights in challenging political contexts.
Programme & speakers
Time | Session |
09:30–11:00 | Gabriele Sorce, The Good Lobby, Why should local providers care about the EU? The EU’s role in disability policy and how EU decision-making works in practice. |
11:00–11:30 | Coffee break |
11:30–13:00 | How local providers can contribute to EU advocacy? Overview of EASPD’s advocacy toolbox and practical examples of how local providers’ contributions matter. Speakers: Konstantina Leventi, Irene Bertana, EASPD, EASPD advocacy toolbox Zuzana Konradova, Eurochild (TBC), Engaging members in the European Semester: lessons from Eurochild’s experience |
13:00–14:00 | Lunch break |
14:00–15:30 | Advocacy in an unfavourable context: practical strategies. Exploring how to continue making progress in difficult contexts and maintain disability rights on the political agenda. Neil Crowther, Social Care Future, Reframing social care: from managing crises to shaping a shared future Marine Uldry, European Disability Forum, Advocating for disability rights in a changing political landscape: lessons from EDF’s experience |
This session is organised as part of EASPD’s 30th Anniversary Conference.
To attend in person, participants must be registered for the conference and select Study Visit 10: Building the Architecture of Inclusion in EU policy.
Joining online? Register here by 1 October