History and development

At the end of 2007, Adolf Ratzka (Independent Living Institute, Sweden) and Jan-Jan Sabbe (budget holders association Onafhankelijk Leven, Belgium) conclude that there exist interesting practices of personal assistance in different countries. The problem however, is we don't learn from our mutual experiences. And that is how the idea originates to found the Expertise Centre Independent Living.

Jan-Jan thinks big and dreams of an Centre on Independent Living where people can share experiences and find information, expertise, individual services and lobbying services.

And his dream comes true. At his own risk he engages an employee who looks into the possibilities for grants. Later on he calls in the budget holders association Onafhankelijk Leven which presents a project for an expertise centre and starts lobbying.

When Jan-Jan unexpectedly passes away, Onafhankelijk Leven decides to let his employee finish the work. In July 2008 the Flemish government and the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRO) each give a grant to this new initiative. The planning is further elaborated, an additional employee is recruited and later on that year the Expertise Centre Independent Living gradually evolves into a partnership.

Since then we have grown at a steady rate.
In July 2010, EFRO gave the Expertise Centre a second grant. We consolidated our partnerships with GRIP, Fokus op emancipatie and Onafhankelijk Leven by putting together mutual agreements.