Draft:Abilis Foundation

The Abilis Foundation (Finnish Abilis Säätiö) is a Finnish nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the participation and equality of people with disabilities in various ways. The foundation's mission is to provide and finance projects designed and implemented by groups of persons with disabilities in the Global South.

Throughout the foundation’s activity, Abilis has worked in over 40 countries. As of 2024 Abilis has 10 programme countries which include Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Vietnam and Ukraine.

Every year, the Abilis Foundation provides project funding to approximately 200 organizations or small businesses owned by persons with disabilities.

History
Abilis Foundation was established in 1998, by a group of persons with disabilities and their supporters. The founders Kalle Könkkölä, who was a person with physical disability, and his visually impaired wife Maija Könkkölä, were committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. The aim was to improve the status of people with disabilities in society and the Global South.

Organization
In the Abilis Foundation, the highest decision-making authority lies with the board, which consists of seven regular members and one alternate member. The board members represent different disability groups. The board's term of office is two years, and it meets approximately six times a year.

The foundation operates in ten program countries with help of Country offices and Partner organizations. They are Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda , Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Vietnam and Ukraine. The foundation operates at the grassroots level.

The main funding for the foundation comes from the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Policy
The Abilis Foundation's activities are guided by a human rights based approach. The foundation's motto "Nothing About Us Without Us" emphasizes the active participation and influence of persons with disabilities. The foundation's values are based on respect for human rights, equality, and inclusion.

In the Helsinki office and program countries, the policy is to hire persons with disabilities, providing peer support, and promoting equality in societies.

Activities
The Abilis Foundation funds projects designed and implemented by persons with disabilities in the Global South. These projects may include counselling, education, peer support, and support for employment, aiming particularly to promote the rights of women and girls with disabilities, human rights, participation, and independent living. Additionally, the foundation actively advocates for accessibility and the advancement of disabled rights within society.