Eight non‑governmental organizations from across Europe compiled a report on the financing of projects meant for marginalized social communities from European Union funds.
This report, with a special focus on persons with disabilities, surprised the administration in Brussels, primarily because it concludes that there is a ‘low understanding of fundamental human rights’ across the European Union. The investigation covered 63 projects in six countries believed to have received more than a billion euros financed by the European Union.
The non‑governmental organizations behind this report suggest that similar projects are likely widespread throughout the EU, and the six countries included in the analysis are merely illustrative examples of the broader picture of non‑transparent spending of EU taxpayers’ money.
– This is really just the tip of the iceberg – said Ines Bulić from the European Network for Independent Living.
As an example, she mentioned a school in Greece for persons with disabilities and children with developmental difficulties that was part of a broader EU investment in special vocational schools. However, the funds awarded were later invested in an institution for the care of persons with disabilities, which contradicts the proclaimed policy of deinstitutionalization.
– What we would like to see is investment in inclusive education, which is very much needed throughout the EU, such as accessible schools, investment in teaching assistants, and other services that enable children to attend regular schools – said Bulić.
She also mentioned an institution for children with developmental difficulties in Romania that received €2.5 million from EU funds – funds that were supposed to be used to support those children in staying with their families.
– This is a cause for great concern. It is the right of all children, whether they have a disability or not, to grow up in their families – Bulić concludes.
The organizations that compiled the report list several reasons why millions of euros ended up being allocated to projects considered discriminatory. Last year, an EU agency found that the number of persons with disabilities living in segregated, sometimes harmful environments increased in many EU member states, while civil society organizations repeatedly accused EU‑funded refugee centers of violating human rights.
– It’s important to emphasize that the European Commission does not fund any organization that does not fully respect fundamental rights and values – said a spokesperson for the European Commission.
– In cases of violations of applicable conditions, we have measures to terminate cooperation and recover funds, if necessary. Both the EU and its member states must continuously ensure that projects incompatible with European values or pursuing an unlawful agenda do not receive support from the government or European funds – added the spokesperson.
Steven Allen from the Validity Foundation, an organization for persons with disabilities that also contributed to the preparation of the report, pointed out serious shortcomings in the way EU funds are managed and monitored.
– We see that both EU member states and the European Commission fail to prevent taxpayers’ money from facilitating and financing serious violations of the rights of multiple marginalized persons – Allen said.
The publication of the report was carefully timed ahead of planning the next EU budget.
