The European Charter for family carers is based on the major international conventions and documents drafted under the auspices of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the European Disability Forum, to deal directly with the life, dignity, rights and full citizenship of persons with disabilities and their families. Beyond disability, it meets the needs offamily carers irrespective of the cause of the dependency of the person assisted (age, illness, accident).

The Charter is designed as a reference tool to be proposed to various organisations representing persons with disabilities and/or complex dependency needs and their families within the European Union, as well as to the European Union's Institutions.It contributes to reconcile family life and working life by allowing an informed choice by the carer, in accordance with the goals of the Lisbon strategy (2000).

The Charter implements the "Help to Family Carers" project carried out by some member organisations of COFACE-Handicap between 2005 and 2006. It received the full support of the Administrative Council of the Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union (COFACE) on 16 March 2009.

European Charter for Family Carers