Valencia Hosts the ELISAN General Assembly 2026

Advancing Disability Inclusion, Volunteering and Community Empowerment Across Europe

Held in conjunction with the 7th Annual Technical Meeting of the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project

15–17 June 2026 | Valencia, Spain

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Μonday 15/6/2026

INCLUSIVE CITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE FAMILIES

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Following up the World Summit on Social Development (Doha, Qatar, 4-6 November 2025), the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project  has convened its 7th Annual Technical Meeting to advance its mission: promoting family-oriented urban policies that strengthen social cohesion, equity, and sustainability.

Across recent decades, rapid urbanization has profoundly transformed family structures and living arrangements. These changes have brought both persistent and emerging challenges:

– Digital divide, parenting support and skill-building

– Urban population: aging and persons with disabilities. Rising demand for caregiving, barriers to accessibility, intergenerational living arrangements, family care. 

– Mental health and addiction pressures linked to social fragmentation, economic stress, behavioral outcomes, family relationships, increased vulnerability, requiered coodinated prevention and community-based support. 

By reinforcing inter-municipal collaboration and showcasing scalable innovations, this Technical Meeting   inspired stronger global commitments to social development — beginning at the level of the family and extending across the urban fabric.

 

PARTICIPANTS

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Signatories of the Venice Declaration  presented local policies and good practices applying a family perspective to address these complex issues. Urban policymakers, technical experts, and civil society leaders  engaged in peer learning and joint reflection on how best follow-up on the outcomes of the II World Social Summit, while contributing to the implementation of SDG 11 -Sustainable Cities and Communities and the New Urban Agenda promoted by ONU-Habitat, UN DESA, and the Venice Declaration.

 

 Wednesday 17/6/2026

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Academic Site Visit and Peer Exchange on Disability and Addiction: Valencian and Italian Universities

Within the framework of the 7th Annual Technical Meeting of the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project, an academic site visit and peer exchange was organized by the Polibienestar Research Institute and IVASS (Institute for Social Services and Social Action of Valencia and ELISAN, bringing together representatives from Valencian and Italian universities, alongside stakeholders from other participating countries, including Austria and Argentina.

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The peer exchange centered on the interconnected challenges of disability and addiction, two issues that increasingly affect urban populations and require integrated, family-centered, and community-based responses. Participants examined how social vulnerability, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and disability intersect within family and community environments, creating complex support needs that extend across health, social care, education, and employment systems.

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Through presentations, field observations, and structured discussions, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers shared evidence-based approaches, innovative service models, and policy experiences from different national and local contexts. Particular attention was given to accessibility in prevention and treatment services, family support mechanisms, inclusive community participation, and the development of coordinated care pathways for individuals experiencing both disability and addiction-related challenges.

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By fostering dialogue among academic institutions and stakeholders from several Venice Declaration signatory countries, the visit contributed to strengthening international cooperation and mutual learning. The activity supported the broader objectives of the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families initiative by identifying transferable practices and policy recommendations that can help build more resilient, inclusive, and caring urban communities. Discussions ultimately reinforced the need to prioritize vulnerable populations while embedding a human-centered approach in future urban and social development policies.

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The General Assembly also marked an important expansion of the network through a formal signing ceremony for new members joining both ELISAN and the Venice Declaration for Family-Friendly and Inclusive Policies. New institutional members included local and regional authorities from Italy and Spain, while a significant number of professionals, researchers, universities, healthcare organisations, and social service providers joined the network.

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These new memberships reflect the growing recognition of ELISAN as a leading European platform for cooperation among local and regional authorities, researchers, practitioners, and civil society organisations committed to building more inclusive, resilient, and family-friendly communities.

The discussions in Valencia reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among public authorities, civil society, academia, and citizens in building more inclusive, cohesive, and resilient societies. Participants highlighted the need to continue sharing good practices, strengthening partnerships, and developing policies that place people, families, and communities at the centre of social development.

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ELISAN extends its sincere thanks to Maria José Rico Llorca, the Generalitat Valenciana, IVASS, IVAM, POLIBIENESTAR, the partners of the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families Project, speakers, experts, and participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the event.

The outcomes of the Valencia meeting will guide ELISAN’s future work and strengthen its role as a European platform for dialogue, cooperation, and action in support of social inclusion, disability rights, volunteering, family-friendly policies, and sustainable community development.