EU for Trisomy 21

31/12/2025

Ultimate Throwback: European Self-Advocates Project ✨

As we reach the last day of the year, we’re taking an ultimate throwback to the past two years of the European Self-Advocates Project 📸💫

Two years ago, we started this project with a clear conviction: people with Down syndrome should not just be included in projects about them — they should help shape them, teach them, and speak for themselves 💬💪

Looking back now, we are incredibly proud of what was achieved together ❤️

Across 10 countries, self-advocates, youth and social workers, educators and organisations worked side by side to co-create an accessible self-advocacy training programme 🌍🤝 From the very beginning, self-advocates were involved in brainstorming, lesson design and teaching, as well as in sharing their experiences at local and European events.

Together, we:
- developed a full self-advocacy curriculum and trainer’s handbook 📘
- piloted the training in multiple countries 🏫
- created an online learning platform to support reuse 💻
- organised local multiplier events across Europe 📢
- brought self-advocates’ voices to European-level spaces, including World Down Syndrome Day in Brussels 🇪🇺🎤

But beyond outputs and activities, the real impact was human 🌱 We saw confidence grow, voices become stronger, and new initiatives emerge ⭐ Partners rethought what is possible when self-advocates are trusted as leaders and teachers.

The project may be finished, but the work continues 🚀 The training is already being reused, new translations are underway, and the European self-advocacy network keeps growing.

Thank you to all self-advocates, partners, trainers and supporters who made these past two years so meaningful 🙏💙

This project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union 🇪🇺

19/12/2025

✨ IDPD Campaign Throwback

Today we’re sharing more inspiring moments from our self-advocates in Italy, Germany, and France 🇮🇹🇪🇩🇫🇷

So many powerful I can and I will statements — full of confidence, determination, and pride. These voices remind us why self-advocacy matters and how strong it can be when shared across Europe. 💙💛

10/12/2025

✨ Throwback to last week’s IDPD campaign!
We’re kicking things off with the powerful videos shared by our partners in Malta — full of confidence, pride, and the spirit of I am. I can. I will.

Their self-advocates showed what it truly means to speak up, believe in yourself, and inspire others across Europe. So proud to share their voices again today! 💙💛

10/12/2025

Great to see the self-advocacy workshops back - this time in Romania - with so much energy and confidence! Proud of the participants and thankful to our partners for creating such an empowering space.

Part of the “Together for Inclusion: Fostering Self-Advocacy Across Europe” project (TIFOSSAE, 101187425), co-funded by the EU.

08/12/2025

So many “I can” and “I will” in one post — we love it! 🤩

08/12/2025

Sonia! 👏👏

Sonia este minunată.
Cu zâmbetul ei liniștit și curajul ei frumos, ne inspiră de fiecare dată.👏🥰

03/12/2025

Look at those amazing people! 😍

08/09/2025

✨ New milestone!
We’ve created the Manual of Best Practices for Inclusive, Peer-Led Self-Advocacy Across Europe — co-funded by Erasmus+.
It shares tools and lessons from 10 countries, built with and by self-advocates, sharing regional experiences and best practices on self-advocacy trainings.

👉 Stay tuned for more!

02/09/2025

Last week we were delighted to host a Training of Trainers in Brussels as part of our European Self-Advocacy Training Program, supported by Erasmus+.

This marks an exciting step forward, as our Belgian team will soon bring the training to a full group of participants in Belgium later this September.

Together, we are building spaces where self-advocates can learn, share, and lead across Europe. 💙✨

30/08/2025

🌍💬 As part of the Together for Inclusion project, partners have been hosting inspiring online events to share best practices, experiences from Brussels, and to promote self-advocacy.

✨ Highlights so far:
🇭🇺 Hungary – connected with their wider network, shared about the Brussels launch, heard from self-advocates, and promoted the upcoming training in the fall.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic – 39 participants, with powerful storytelling from self-advocates, parents, and potential new trainees.
🇲🇹 Malta – 38 participants, featuring videos, talks on self-advocacy, and inspiring speakers with Down syndrome.
🇷🇴 Romania – reported on the success of a recent online event, noting high engagement from young participants and a positive response.
🇵🇱 Poland – hosted an inspiring seminar in Opole on courage, independence, and self-advocacy, with strong contributions from self-advocates and partners.

💡 These events are a fantastic way to spread the word and empower self-advocates.

21/08/2025

💡 Inclusion isn’t about making everyone fit the same format.

It’s about adapting the format — to fit the people.

Every country in our network adjusted the training to reflect their language, space, and culture.

Same goals. Different paths. That’s what real inclusion looks like.

18/08/2025

✨ What happens when people with intellectual disabilities lead the training themselves?

💬 Everything changes.

There’s more trust. More engagement. More truth.

Self-advocates don’t just participate — they teach. They lead. And they change the room.