“Enhancing the autonomy of vulnerable adults in legal matters” (EnAVA) emphasizes the importance of upholding and advancing the autonomy and self-determination of vulnerable adults in legal matters, aligning with the principles outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The UNCRPD emphasizes the full enjoyment of human rights and freedoms of individuals with disabilities, advocating for their dignity and legal capacity on equal bases in all areas of life. It also calls for the protection of vulnerable adults, those who may not be able to safeguard their own interests due to impairment or personal faculties insufficiency. As a result, States must ensure and promote the autonomy and self-determination of vulnerable adults by updating legal frameworks related to their status. Against this background, the Italian legal framework seems unsatisfactory and in urgent need of reform – especially vis a vis the rapid ageing of society, which challenges individual autonomy and social cohesion in unprecedented ways. Accordingly, the project pursues the aim of modernizing legal tools concerning their legal status and identifying innovative legal solutions that enhance the autonomy of vulnerable adults in judicial and extra-judicial proceedings, while ensuring their protection.

The research project is divided into 4 research units, each with different objectives. The University of Pisa (UNIPI) will coordinate the project.