The European Blind Union represents the interests of blind and partially sighted people in Europe. With member organisations in 40 countries, it works to ensure they can participate fully and equally in society.
Overview
- Role
- Members
- Structure
- Executive Body
- Guiding Documents
- Committees, working groups and forums
- Financial Resources
Role
Founded in 1984, EBU is a non-governmental, non profit-making European organisation and one of the six regional bodies of the World Blind Union (External link). Our objects and powers are set out in Article II of our Constitution.
Our vision
"A Europe which supports and empowers blind and partially sighted people, in which we can be self-determining and which fully includes us within all aspects of society, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals."
Our mission
- To promote the rights and interests of all blind and partially sighted people to European bodies.
- To support and strengthen national organisations of blind and partially sighted people.
- To support, produce and disseminate relevant research and best practices relating to policies and services enabling the full participation of blind and partially sighted people in all aspect of life.
Our values and principles
We uphold the right of blind and partially sighted people to self-determination, to make decisions and choices about their own lives. Our work is grounded in human rights and in equality of participation and treatment for people with diverse experiences, including differences of visual impairment, other disabilities, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity.
We take a positive approach based on non-discrimination and positive action, taking proactive steps to remove barriers and promote equal opportunities. We support full inclusion alongside specialist services where appropriate, a twin-track approach, and we cooperate fully with organisations representing people with other disabilities. We have regard for blind and partially sighted people in developing countries, and we work in partnership to promote their interests and to prevent avoidable sight loss.
EBU provides a European platform for its membership to share views, expertise and information and to act together on matters of common interest.
The Annual Report (PDF document) looks in detail at the work carried out in the previous year.
Members
EBU's members are national organisations and federations of blind and partially sighted people in 40 European countries. Some countries are represented by more than one organisation. Members send a national delegation to the General Assembly and nominate the representatives who take part in EBU's committees, working groups and forums. EBU also has associate and honorary members.
See the full list of EBU member organisations, with contact details for each country.
Structure
General Assembly
Each EBU member organisation is represented by a national delegation that participates in the EBU General Assembly held every four years.
The General Assembly of Members is EBU's supreme governing body. Some functions carried out at the General Assembly meetings include election of the board of officers, approval of constitutional amendments, financial reports on work carried out in the past mandate, and strategic plans for the next four years.
The founding Assemblies of EBU and WBU were held in Norway in August 1984. Since then, another ten General Assemblies have taken place every three, and later every four years.
The last General Assembly was hosted by the Portuguese Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (ACAPO) in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 to 14 February 2024.
Resolutions passed at all EBU General Assemblies (PDF document)
Executive body
EBU is led by a board elected by the membership at the General Assembly and accountable to it. All board members are blind or partially sighted. Detailed information about its composition, voting procedure, powers and functions can be found in the EBU Constitution.
EBU Central Office
The EBU Central Office is based in Paris, France. It supports the Board and project groups in their work and is a central contact point for information to the EBU membership, partners, external parties and the general public. It produces a monthly Members Newsletter in English and a thematic Focus Newsletter.
EBU is a registered charity in France, W751105073.
Guiding Documents
EBU Constitution
The EBU Constitution is the governing instrument of EBU.
Strategic plan
The key priorities and initiatives are articulated in the EBU Strategic Plan (Word document) for the four year working period.
Anti-harassment and Gender Equality
- EBU Gender Equality Committee / Working Group Action Plan (Word document).
- The EBU Anti-harassment Policy (PDF document) was presented and unanimously approved by the EBU Board during its online meeting on 20 June 2020.
UNCRPD
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an important instrument in EBU's work. Take a look at our database on the application of the convention in different countries.
Committees, working groups and forums
The European Blind Union's work is structured in committees, thematic working groups and forums. These structures were established in 2024 to reflect EBU's strategic orientation plan 2024-2027 and to ensure efficiency and inclusivity.
Committees
EBU has three permanent committees that report to the Board.
Advocacy Committee (AC)
The Advocacy Committee works for the rights and full inclusion of blind and partially sighted people. Membership is open to EBU member organisations' representatives who are responsible for advocacy in their organisation. The AC currently has 75 members (representatives and substitutes) from 31 member organisations, in both EU and non-EU countries. The AC is chaired by Francesca Sbianchi (Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti).
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEIC)
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee develops EBU's processes and practices to ensure inclusivity in EBU's work. The DEIC consists of member organisations' experts on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the coordinators of the EBU Forums. The DEIC currently has 12 members and is chaired by Polona Car Djuric (Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted of Slovenia).
Leadership Exchange Committee (LEC)
The Leadership Exchange Committee supports organisational development and leadership growth in EBU. The LEC is open to the directors of member organisations and currently has 42 members (representatives and substitutes). The LEC is chaired by Lars Bosselman (EBU Executive Director).
Working Groups
The Working Groups are member-led and focus on bringing together and developing expertise on EBU's strategic priorities. All EBU member organisations can nominate up to five representatives to each working group. The working groups can form temporary Task Forces for specific tasks. The Working Groups operate together with the Advocacy Committee.
Accessibility
The Accessibility working group covers access to goods, services, social services, leisure and employment, including assistive technologies. It also addresses mobility, including public and individual transportation, driverless vehicles, shared spaces and guide dogs, as well as digital accessibility, covering technology, ethical AI and consumer protection.
Two task forces are linked to the working group: one on accessible payment terminals and one on sport.
The working group currently has 100 participants from 22 member organisations.
Braille
The Braille working group promotes braille literacy through campaigns and webinars. The working group currently has 39participants from 20 member organisations and is chaired by Reiner Delgado (DBSV).
External Communication
The External Communication working group supports the implementation of EBU's communication strategy and coordinates campaign communication across member organisations. The working group currently has 25 participants from 13 member organisations and is chaired by Barbara Martin (ONCE).
Training
The Training working group covers vocational training, education, rehabilitation and employment. The working group currently has 36 participants from 16 member organisations.
Forums
EBU has five target group Forums, open to blind and partially sighted individuals in Europe:
- Women and Gender Issues Forum
- Low Vision Forum
- Youth Forum (for individuals below 35 years old)
- Older Persons Forum (for individuals over 60 years old)
- Members Exchange Forum (open to all)
To join a forum, please send a request to membership@euroblind.org.
Financial Resources
EBU's work is funded principally by the membership fees paid by our national member organisations and by European Commission funding, including the CERV programme, alongside grants for specific European projects. Figures for each financial year are set out in the Annual Report (PDF document).
The EBU Solidarity Fund
The statutes of the new European Blind Union Solidarity Fund were approved by the EBU Board at its meeting in Paris on 8 February 2025.
This fund is intended to provide a mechanism for organisations of blind and partially sighted people to seek support or relief if they experience financial difficulties in, among others, developing projects, or organising or participating in meetings.
For full details on the EBU Solidarity Fund and how to apply for assistance, contact the EBU office.