Som – Fundació’s independent living support project has been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2027, an international initiative that identifies and promotes innovative solutions that advance the rights of people with disabilities around the world.
A total of 615 applications were submitted for this edition, with 159 initiatives from 59 countries selected to move forward in the Zero Project Awards 2027 process. Som Fundació’s independent living project is among the selected initiatives.
What is the Zero Project?
The Zero Project is an initiative of the Essl Foundation that promotes the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Every year, it identifies innovative projects, policies and practices that have a measurable impact on inclusion and the exercise of disability rights.
The 2027 edition focuses on three key areas: independent living, political participation and assistive technology. Applications are assessed according to their level of innovation, their impact and their potential to be replicated in other contexts.
Connecting disability rights with everyday life
Som – Fundació’s project brings together two fundamental rights: the right to legal capacity and the right to live independently.
Through supported decision-making, we support people with intellectual disabilities to define their own life plans and make decisions about where, how and with whom they want to live, in accordance with their will and preferences.
This rights-based approach translates legal principles into real opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise their autonomy and make their own decisions in everyday life.
The project currently supports 883 people in Catalonia, including 343 people who live independently. These figures demonstrate how appropriate support can help people with intellectual disabilities exercise their rights, live more independently and participate fully in their communities.