International Presence
European Disability Forum (EDF)
In recent years the ONCE Foundation has cooperated closely with the European Disability Forum (EDF). The EDF is the organization that, for more than ten years now, has brought together the European organizations that represent people with disabilities at national level, as well as those European organizations which defend the interests of any type of specific disability. As an associated member the ONCE Foundation has played an especially relevant role supporting the EDF in the negotiation process of the International Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, as well as in the training of organizations representing people with disabilities in the area of the Balkans.
After supporting the EDF campaign 1million4disability; the ONCE Foundation will continue to collaborate with the EDF in the campaign for a European legislative framework of anti-discrimination law, as well as other European legislation initiatives in the field of social politics and employment in the EU, and in various fields regarding the free circulation of people with disabilities (regulations for travellers in coach or sea transport, General Interest Social Services, etc).
European Foundation Centre (EFC)
The ONCE Foundation’s cooperation with other European foundations in order to improve the identity of the same in the EU and its ability to cooperate with the European Institutions has been channelled through the European Foundation Centre (EFC).
The ONCE Foundation has been working with the EFC since 2002 in the Proyecto Mecenas (Patron Project) for the analysis and promotion of foundation projects for the training and employment of people with disabilities in Europe. This projects represents an opportunity for the exchange of good practices between European foundations and the establishment of interest networks with others which, like the ONCE Foundation, work towards the social integration of people with disabilities. In the framework of the same, an Interest Group has been created which brings together foundations and other active players in the disability field and which is presided by the ONCE Foundation.
Likewise, in 2008 the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability was put into action, a project created within the structure of the European Foundation Centre, whose activities revolve around the ratification and implementation in Europe of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. This Consortium draws together the foundations and civic organizations that work in the field of human rights and/or disability, along with other agents such as the organizations of judges, notaries, solicitors, etc. which do not normally participate in the debate regarding the implementation of international treaties but which play an essential role from the point of view of obtaining results.
Social Economy Europe (SEE)
We participate in the representative organization of the Social Economy Europe, previously known as CEP-CMAF, through the European Foundation Centre and in connection with CEPES. (Confederación Empresarial Española de la Economía Social – Spanish Social Economy Business Confederation). This entity continues to work towards the recognition of the Social Economy as an entity representing a sector that is necessary for economic and social cohesion, which every day demonstrates its ability to generate employment with an individual profile (10% of employment in the EU), where such important principles as social inclusion are manifested.
Likewise, since 2003 the ONCE Foundation has lead the Interest Group for People with Disabilities in the heart of the Conference which is just one more way of promoting the interests of people with disabilities in the Social Economy Europe sector.
European Economic and Social Committe (CESE)
We are present in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), through the Director of Social and International Relations of the ONCE Foundation, Director of this EU advisory body in representation of the Confederación Empresarial Española para la Economía Social CEPES (Spanish Social Economy Business Confederation), as member of its Board of Directors. This Committee is the highest advisory body for the major economic and social questions in the European Union.
There has been active participation from the Economic and Social Committee in the drafting of Reports with major repercussion for the disability sector, among others the Report regarding the “Commission Communication to the European Parliament and Council, towards a legally binding instrument of the United Nations to promote and protect the rights and dignity of People with Disabilities.” Other recent reports of interest: “Report regarding the anti-discrimination directive proposal”, “Report regarding a new European social action programme” and “Report regarding digital libraries”.
Through the Fundosa Group, the ONCE Foundation has, since 1995, been a member of Workability International, an international network of businesses and entities which give employment and employment services and training to a million people with disabilities in around 30 countries. Fundosa participates very actively in the activities of the European group, from the position it holds on the European Board of Directors and as the organization which leads the activities of the Business Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.
European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR)
The ONCE Foundation participates as a member for all legal purposes in the EPR, a non-profit organization which brings together institutions which provide services in the occupational, medical and social rehabilitation area for people with disabilities with the aim of improving their position in the job market.