EPR is an observer member of the Disability Platform. The platform establishes close cooperation between the institutions of the Member States, the Commission and the civil society on issues relating to disability and to facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and good practices. It facilitates the exchange of information, experiences and good practices in the area of disability and supports the implementation of the UNCRPD and the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
From 2014 onwards EPR has had a partnership agreement with the European Commission under the European Union Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme, now the ESF programme. EPR activities have been financially supported by the Commission and is consulted regularly on policy issues in the framework of Strategic Dialogue meetings.
Social Services Europe brings together eight Europe-wide networks of professional not-for-profit providers of social, health and care services. EPR has been a member of the network since its establishment and contributes to achieving its aims. The network aims to strengthen the profile and position of social services, and to promote the role and impact of not for-profit social service providers in Europe. Social Services Europe member organisations intend to reinforce their activities on the impact of EU legislation on Social Services of General Interest (SSGI); staff and human resources issues; social innovation; structural funds; the social dimension of Europe and contribution of social services to overall EU policy.
EPR is member of the European Alliance for Mental Health – Employment & Work (EUMH Alliance), an informal coalition of European organisations, which aims to promote mental health and well-being in the workplace, to advocate for equal access to the labour market for all people experiencing mental ill health and to stimulate policy developments at EU level in these domains.
EPR is part of ILMA, a pan-Europe alliance of six associations promoting an inclusive labour market. It brings together the European Union of Supported Employment, European Disability Forum, Workability International, European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities, European Platform for Rehabilitation, European Network of Social Integration Enterprises and Autism-Europe.
Read here the joint statement on Employment of People with Disabilites.
EPR is an Observing member of the European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care (EEG).
The EEG is a broad coalition gathering stakeholders representing people with care or support needs and their families, including children, people with disabilities, homeless people, people experiencing mental health problems; as well as service providers, public authorities and intergovernmental organisations.
The Group has as its mission the promotion of person-centred, quality and empowering models of services and formal and informal care that fully respect the human rights of all people with care or support needs. The Group supports national efforts to implement the necessary reforms, in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (in particular with Article 19), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Fundamental Rights Charter.