On 3-4 October 2024, the Vienna Social Fund hosted a Peer Review on "Participation of persons with disabilities in the development of social services at local level", organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL). Representatives and experts from Austria and four peer countries (Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus and Germany) convened to discuss concrete ways to ensure the effective participation of persons with disabilities in the development of social services at local level. Representatives from the European Commission were also present. The peer review linked to one of the flagship initiatives of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 to develop a specific Framework for Social Services of Excellence for Persons with Disabilities by the end of 2024, in order to improve service delivery for persons with disabilities and to enhance the attractiveness of jobs in this area, including through upskilling and reskilling service providers. Our colleagues, Magdi Birtha, Selma Kadi and Anette Scoppetta were part of the core team to implement this peer review.
