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European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education

EASNIE

The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (EASNIE) is an independent organisation that acts as a platform for collaboration for its member countries, working towards ensuring more inclusive education systems.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Li Andersson (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

22 Sept 2025 · Inclusive education & labour market policy

Response to The new Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

4 Sept 2025

The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (EASNIE) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of the new Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). As an independent organisation supported by the education ministries of 31 member countries and working closely with the European Commission, EASNIE provides evidence-based insights on inclusive education as a foundation for social justice and equal opportunity. Through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Agencys initiatives remain focused on building a fairer and more inclusive European Union. This involves helping its member countries enhance inclusion, quality and effectiveness of their systems, fostering equal opportunities for all learners. Inclusive education is not only a right enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), but also a critical enabler of multiple EPSR principles, including equal opportunities (Principle 3), education and training (Principle 1), active support to employment (Principle 4), and inclusion of people with disabilities (Principle 17). EASNIEs work consistently demonstrates that inclusive education systems reduce poverty and social exclusion, improve employment outcomes, and foster social cohesion. The Agencys work further aligns with the adopted La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights (April 2024), which underscores the importance of the right to quality, inclusive education, training, and lifelong learning. In particular, the declaration highlights the pivotal role of lifelong learning in addressing labour shortages and skills mismatches across Member States, echoing principles established in the Barcelona Tripartite Statement. This emphasis on inclusive education complements the Agencys objectives of improving access to quality education for all learners, supporting Member States efforts to address skills gaps and promote social mobility through lifelong learning opportunities. The new Action Plan should include concrete targets and indicators for inclusive education, aligned with CRPD Article 24, ensuring access to mainstream education for all learners with appropriate support and reasonable accommodation. Teachers and school leaders are central to inclusive systems, and EU funding and policy instruments should prioritise their preparation and continuous professional development in inclusive pedagogy and universal design for learning. Linguistic diversity is a major challenge for teachers in the EU, which requires the development of practical tools to address multilingualism in the classroom fostering full inclusion of migrant learners. Digitalisation must not widen existing gaps; the Action Plan should promote accessible digital learning environments and assistive technologies for all learners. Disaggregated data on vulnerable learners is essential for evidence-based policymaking, and the Social Scoreboard should be expanded to include indicators on inclusive education and transitions to employment, building on existing data from EASNIE's datasets. Inclusive education requires coordinated action across education, social protection, health, and employment sectors, and the Action Plan should support integrated service delivery models and community-based support systems. As stated in the Council's recommendation on inclusive education, EU members struggle with effective implementation, which stimulates the continuation of the work EASNIE can assist countries with on practical and concrete tools for inclusion and monitoring of ongoing policies. EASNIE stands ready to support the European Commission and Member States in the co-creation and implementation of the new Action Plan. Inclusive education is not only a policy priority but a moral imperative for a more just, resilient, and socially cohesive Europe.
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Meeting with Vanessa Debiais-Sainton (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu)

31 Mar 2025 · Avenues of cooperation between the Commission and EASNIE

Meeting with Ana Carla Pereira (Director Justice and Consumers)

20 Feb 2025 · Courtesy visit to exchange of view on EU disability policies and priorities

Meeting with Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic (Director Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion)

20 Feb 2025 · Mr Costa took over as director of EASNIE on 1 January 2025. On his first visit in this role in Brussels he wanted to discuss how EASNIE can support EMPL’s activities.

Meeting with Stefaan Hermans (Director Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

18 Feb 2025 · Meeting request with EASNIE’s new Director

Meeting with Kilian Gross (Cabinet of Vice-President Günther Oettinger)

13 Mar 2019 · Disabled kids at European Schools

Meeting with Marlene Holzner (Cabinet of Vice-President Günther Oettinger)

13 Mar 2019 · Disabled kids at European schools

Meeting with Rodrigo Ballester (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

21 Nov 2018 · Education

Meeting with Rodrigo Ballester (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

20 Mar 2017 · Education inclusive

Meeting with Rodrigo Ballester (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

19 Mar 2015 · Inclusive education in ET 2020 and Europe 2020