European

Self Advocates

An Erasmus+ sponsored project to empower young people with Down Syndrome from all across Europe to become Self-Advocates.

About the project

The project is an ambitious two-year initiative aimed at empowering individuals with Down syndrome across Europe to become effective self-advocates and engage in political activism. Here's a summary of the key points:

Project Background

The project received funding from Erasmus and aims to address the varying levels of advocacy education across Europe, especially among self-advocates with Down syndrome. It seeks to develop a comprehensive training program to help individuals with Down syndrome become effective advocates for their rights.

EN Co-funded by the EU_BLACK Outline

Project Phases

Phase 1: Curriculum Development

Timeframe: 09.23 - 05.24

The project begins with the creation of a curriculum or training program. This phase includes brainstorming, gathering input from experts and self-advocates, and defining the content and methods of instruction. There are two in-person meetings for detailed planning, one with our partners in Hungary, Budapest and the other one in Marseille, France. 

Phase 2: Trainer Selection & Piloting

Timeframe: 06.24 - 05.25

In the second phase of the project, each participating country will select two individuals—one person with Down syndrome and one assistant—to be trained as curriculum instructors. Once trained, they will return to their respective countries to pilot the program, empowering individuals with Down syndrome to develop strong self-advocacy skills.

Phase 3: Review & Dissemination

Timeframe: 06.25 - 10.25

The project culminates in a final event in Brussels, where trainers and those who completed the training program share their experiences and engage with European Parliament representatives.

The curriculum developed in Phase 1 will be adjusted according to feedback and made available online in multiple languages.

Project Impact

The project aims to involve a total of 135 individuals with Down syndrome, either as trainers or participants, from across Europe. Official partner countries include Belgium, Romania, Malta, Germany, Hungary, Spain, France, and Greece, along with additional partner organizations from the Czech Republic and Italy. The overarching goal is to empower individuals with Down syndrome by equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively advocate for their rights. The project is designed to ensure comprehensive curriculum development, widespread training, and meaningful engagement with policymakers.

World Down Syndrome 2025

As part of a 30-day awareness campaign leading up to World Down Syndrome Day, EU for Trisomy 21 is hosting a milestone event on March 19, 2025, at the European Parliament to highlight the empowering spirit of the European Self Advocacy Project. Under the theme “From Projects to Policies: Including People with Down Syndrome in Europe,” the gathering will feature waiters with Down syndrome serving in official Parliament coffee spots, an opening ceremony with MEP Miriam Lexmann, and a conference addressing critical issues such as equality, health, and employment. Among the event’s highlights is a presentation by one of our teacher pairs, Fiona and Katrina Lambart from Germany, who will share their firsthand experience teaching the European Self Advocacy training course.

By bringing together policymakers, youth workers, advocates, and self-advocates, this special day at the Parliament stands as a powerful call to move beyond isolated projects toward enduring policy changes that foster a truly inclusive Europe.

More info about the event can be found itt.

PHOTOS of our Trainers

Our 4 Lessons

Logo_EUforTrisomy21

Az Eufortrisomy21.eu-ról

Platform a Down-szindróma napjának megünneplése érdekében együttműködő egyesületek, állampolgárok és politikusok együttműködésére, hogy láthatóvá tegyék az értelmi fogyatékosságot és különösen a 21. triszómiában szenvedő személyeket (a genetikai eredetű leggyakoribb értelmi fogyatékosság, más néven Down-szindróma) ).

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