International Cooperation

EDF is made of an energetic team working on international cooperation and humanitarian action.

We believe that EDF has an active role to play to ensure persons with disabilities and organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) are included in EU international cooperation. To achieve it, we collaborate with a range of partners on various projects, advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities around the world.

EDF in the world

We collaborate with a range of partners on various projects, advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities around the world. Our team works actively to pursue the following achievements: 

  • Influence the European Union
    We want the EU to become a global leader in disability-inclusive development!
  • Strengthen regional level advocacy among regional DPOs
    We believe in working closely with our sister regional DPOs to learn from each other, build our organisational capacity, and influence together policies at the regional level.
  • Advocate for evidence
    We work actively towards documenting best practices, advocating for data disaggregation, and monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). There are some of the key elements to inform truly inclusive international cooperation policies and programmes.
  • Promote the engagement of DPOs in international cooperation
    We advocate for persons with disabilities and European organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) to actively be engaged in international cooperation – not just as beneficiaries but also as experts.
  • Innovate and learn
    We champion innovation by supporting creativity, ideas, and challenges to engage in non-traditional international advocacy activities for EDF.

International Cooperation Policy Areas

Our latest news

| Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Humanitarian Action
New report finds serious gaps in Disability-Inclusive EU Aid

Our new report shows that the European Union EU is falling far short of its obligations and commitment...

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| International cooperation
Put education at the heart of the African Union and the European Union partnership

The European Disability Forum (EDF) has signed an open letter with several civil society organisations calling on African...

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| International cooperation
EDF and the Global Disability Summit 2025: That’s a wrap (for now)!

From April 2–3, Berlin became the global center for disability rights as the third Global Disability Summit (GDS)...

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| Humanitarian Action, International cooperation
Disability inclusion in EU external actions: achievements of 2024

A guide for donors on inclusive recovery in Ukraine. The European Regional Disability Summit. Supporting the adoption of...

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| Humanitarian Action, International cooperation
Calling on the EU to make bold commitments at the Global Disability Summit 2025

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is a global advocacy event that aims to advance the rights of persons...

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| Humanitarian Action, International cooperation
Joint input by EDF and IDDC on the EU’s review by the CRPD Committee focusing on external action

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is reviewing the European Union’s compliance with...

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Current International Cooperation Projects

The Ascend Project: Capacity building of disabled people’s associations in Central and Eastern Europe

Logos of the partners, EDF and Citi Foundation. News Ascend Phase 2 Activities in Hungary (November 2023) Digitalisation,...

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