The EASPD Lighthouse Network supports our members in exchanging ideas and sharing good practices across the disability sector. By bringing together organisations with specific expertise and those looking to strengthen their knowledge and capacities, the network fosters peer learning and collaboration. 

This year, we have identified five exciting study visit opportunities, designed to offer EASPD members valuable learning experiences and encourage the exchange of practical tools.

Find below the 2026 Study Visits Catalogue, including details on each visit and the available grants. Organisations are welcome to participate in multiple visits; however, only one trip per organisation can be funded. 

Grants are allocated based on EASPD membership and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Early Childhood Education for children with developmental disabilities

Porto, Portugal - 13 May 2026 

Participants will visit Escola Básica de Devesas in Vila Nova de Gaia, a pre-school setting where the visitors will see how children with developmental disabilities are included. There, participants will learn about the joint work of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Educator and a Primary Provider of ECI. 

The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit to APPACDM do Porto's headquarters, where the group will observe ECI professionals' interventions in collaboration with families. The participants will be divided into small groups to ensure their presence has low impact in children and families. The visit will include lunch at Restaurant Torreão. 

Maximum capacity: 30 people 

15 grants available. Apply here: https://forms.gle/399CERwQ7A5UbzsH7 

Strengthening Long-Term Care: Upskilling and reskilling the workforce

Porto, Portugal - 14 May 2026 

This session is hosted in the framework of Care4Skills, a project designed to address the training needs within the long-term care (LTC) workforce and empower them to face current and future challenges. This perfectly matches the objectives of the Member Forum on Workforce Development and HR.

The project includes a rapid-response training to adress how to provide person-centred care in the current organisational climate. This activity will pilot an in-person training version of this module. The estimate duration of the activity is 3 hours. 

Maximum capacity: 20 people 

5 grants available. Apply here:  https://forms.gle/hBKFQ5MFzK98qVjA6 

Sustainable employment model for people with disabilities 

San Sebastián, Spain - 28-29 May 2026 

This Study Visit to EHLABE-GUREAK’s premises will focus on Sustainable Employment Model for People with Disabilities with additional support needs, mainly cognitive disabilities. Throughout the visit, participants will learn about different professional activities, such as industrial-automotive, digital-data, and dual training.

Maximum capacity: 15 people 

3 grants available. Apply here: https://forms.gle/JiqmqhhSMeoQfGuS8   

2026 Summer Institute: Developing community-based inclusive living solutions

Dublin, Ireland - 3-5 July 2026 

The Member Forum on Inclusive Living will join the 2026 Summer Institute in Dublin, Ireland: a global gathering of people who believe that care, belonging, and inclusion are everyone’s responsibility.

In discussions with a diversity of leaders, participants will encounter the diversity of solutions that emerge when working locally and being clear about purpose and principles.

Maximum capacity: 20 people 

9 grants available. Apply here: https://forms.gle/JiqmqhhSMeoQfGuS8  

Salma Garage: Esmet's new technological centre for social transformation

Palma de Mallorca, Spain - 17-18 September 2026  

Salma Garage is a pioneering space that was created to bring technology closer to people, especially those with intellectual disabilities, and generating training, occupation and employment opportunities. 

Located in the center of Palma de Mallorca, it will be an open, collaborative space where technological solutions designed to improve people's lives will be researched, developed, tested, and taught. The center is a resource for the entire community: families, professionals, companies, teachers and students. 

Maximum capacity: 15 people 

10 grants available. Applications will open soon. 

For more information, please contact: Miguel Buitrago, EASPD Learning and Development Officer, at miguel.buitrago@easpd.eu