Europe

“Knowledge is the key for a better life” is a triennial project (2011-2013) granted by the European Commission, DG Justice, under the PROGRESS Program. It has four main strategic objectives are :

•  Improving the organisational capacity and management of European DPOs of people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus.

•  Voicing the concerns and expectations of people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus in Europe. Strengthen DPOs of people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus to influence policy making at national and European levels.

•  Reinforcing the advocacy and campaigning skills of the European DPOs of people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus in order to set up coalitions and networks, to create moment of exchange of expertise and knowledge.

•  Better integrating cross-cutting issues (e.g. gender, poverty and non-discrimination) in day-to-day work of IF and of DPOs of people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus in Europe. 

Thanks to this project IF is carrying out important initiatives to achieve the strategic objectives involving associations of people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus representing 25 different European countries.

• Workshop : Making our network stronger - Raising awareness on prevention

• Launch event: Act against Europe’s most common birth defects: on year on

• Conference: Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Anno 2011

• Workshop: Adults, and now? Access to services and healthcare for youth and adults with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

• Advocacy toolkit

• Compilation of laws implemented and Actions undertaken by European Member States on disability