The European Expert Group on the transition from institutions to community-based support is a coalition of organisations advocating to replace institutionalisation with family- and community-based support.
The EEG consists of organisations, representing:
- Children and their families;
- People with disabilities and their families;
- People experiencing homelessness;
- People experiencing mental health problems;
- Service providers;
- Public authorities;
- UN organisations
The EEG works at the EU-level to advocate for the transition from institutions to community-based support (deinstitutionalisation).
We focus on the use of EU funds and their role in facilitating the transitions.
The EEG:
- Writes reports about deinstitutionalisation.
- Develops toolkits to use of EU funds for the transition from institutional to community-based support.
- Gives opinions and recommendations.
- Organises events.
What we do
The EEG advocates to replace institutionalisation with family- and community-based support. The EEG reminds the EU and member states of their obligation to stop funding and to replace institutionalisation with family- and community-based support; based on:
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
- The UN Guidelines on the Use and Conditions of Alternative Care for Children
- European Fundamental Rights Charter.
The EEG provides expertise on the transition from institutionalisation to family- and community-based support. We focus on how EU funding, law and policy should be used to facilitate the transition:
- no spending on institutionalisation;
- resources available to expand capacity and quality of family- and community-based support;
- resources available to facilitate access to housing, early child care, inclusive education and accessible general public services and built environment;
- resources available for monitoring of reforms at national level.
The EEG facilitates development of quality family- and community-based support; by quality we mean support that is:
- respecting human rights of all people with care or support needs;
- person-centred;
EEG page on LinkedIn.
How the EEG works
The EEG organises different types of meetings to support coordination, strategic planning, advocacy and dialogue with external stakeholders.
Internal Meetings
Internal Meetings bring together EEG member organisations to coordinate ongoing work, exchange updates, review progress and agree on priorities and actions. They also provide a space for updates from Task Forces and discussion of current EU policy and advocacy developments.
Internal Meetings are held regularly (typically 4–5 times per year) and are moderated by the EEG Coordinator.
Directors’ Meetings
Directors’ Meetings bring together senior representatives of EEG member organisations to discuss the longer-term strategic direction and governance of the EEG.
These meetings provide an opportunity to reflect on priorities, major initiatives, partnerships, membership and organisational development. They do not replace the EEG’s decision-making processes, which remain with the membership through Internal Meetings.
Directors’ Meetings are normally held at least twice a year and are chaired by the EEG Co-Chairs.
Open Meetings
Open Meetings are public events organised by the EEG, including conferences, study sessions and stakeholder dialogues.
They bring together representatives of EU institutions, national authorities, civil society, researchers and other stakeholders to exchange experience, discuss policy developments and promote community-based support across Europe.
The EEG usually organises two Open Meetings each year. More about open meetings and other EEG’s events is here.
Task Forces
Task Forces are flexible working groups established by the EEG to advance work on specific policy, advocacy or thematic priorities.
Participation is open to all EEG member organisations. Task Forces provide a practical space for interested members to work together between regular meetings, prepare common positions, coordinate advocacy and engage with relevant stakeholders.
Current Task Forces include:
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
Supports the EEG’s work on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and related EU funding instruments. The Task Force contributes to advocacy, policy analysis and the development of EEG positions on EU funding and deinstitutionalisation.
European Semester
Follows developments within the European Semester and identifies opportunities to promote deinstitutionalisation, community-based services and social inclusion through EU policy coordination processes.
Open Meetings 2026
Supports the planning and delivery of EEG Open Meetings and Study Sessions in 2026. Activities include identifying topics, speakers, partners and opportunities for outreach and visibility.
Council Presidency
Supports EEG engagement with current and upcoming Presidencies of the Council of the European Union by identifying advocacy opportunities, developing key messages and engaging with Presidency priorities relevant to deinstitutionalisation.
New Task Forces may be established as new policy priorities emerge, allowing the EEG to respond flexibly to developments at EU and international level.
Governance
The European Expert Group (EEG) is governed by its member organisations and operates through a collaborative and flexible governance structure that supports effective coordination, strategic leadership and joint decision-making. The EEG’s governance is designed to ensure continuity, transparency and active participation across the coalition.
The EEG is led by two Co-Chairs, appointed on a rotating basis from among the member organisations. The Co-Chairs provide strategic direction, represent the EEG in external engagement with EU institutions and partners, and chair the Group’s Open Meetings and Directors’ Meetings. They work closely with the Coordinator to guide the implementation of the EEG’s priorities.
The Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the EEG. This includes coordinating meetings, supporting policy and advocacy work, engaging with EU institutions and stakeholders, facilitating communication among members, and ensuring the implementation of agreed activities. The Coordinator works under the strategic guidance of the Co-Chairs while maintaining operational responsibility for the delivery of the EEG’s work programme.
Strategic decisions are taken collectively by the EEG members, while operational activities are coordinated by the Coordinator in line with the Group’s agreed priorities. This approach allows the EEG to remain responsive, collaborative and effective in promoting the transition from institutional to community-based support across Europe.
Members
The EEG brings together European and international organisations with complementary expertise in disability rights, children’s rights, homelessness, mental health, social services, independent living and human rights.
Each member organisation contributes its own experience, networks and knowledge while working towards a shared objective: advancing the transition from institutional care to family- and community-based support across Europe.
Together, EEG members combine policy expertise, advocacy, research, technical assistance and practical experience to influence EU policies, funding and practice. This diversity is one of the coalition’s greatest strengths and enables the EEG to address deinstitutionalisation from multiple perspectives.
Learn more about the work and priorities of EEG member organisations on our Members page.
EEG history
The European Expert Group on the transition from institutions to community-based support, formerly known as the Ad Hoc Expert Group on the transition from institutional to community-based care, was convened in February 2009 by the then European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimir Špidla in order to address the issues of institutional care reform in the European Union.
EEG members come together because we believe institutionalisation of people must end.
Institutional is any residential care where:
- residents are isolated from the broader community and/or compelled to live together;
- residents do not have enough control over their lives and over decisions which affect them;
- and requirements of the organisation itself tend to take precedence over the residents’ individual needs.
First convened in 2009, the EEG is a broad coalition gathering stakeholders representing people with care or support needs including children, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health problems, families, people experiencing homelessness; as well as service providers, public authorities and intergovernmental organisations.
EEG. The European Expert Group on the transition from institutions to community-based support 