The European Central Bank (ECB) and the ONCE Foundation for Cooperation and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities have entered into a collaboration to ensure that the digital euro app will be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
In pursuit of this goal, an official partnership agreement has been formalized. This non-remunerated collaboration is designed to integrate accessibility considerations from the very beginning of the design and development process of the digital euro app. The ONCE Foundation will provide technical advice, contribute to the co-design input, and test the prototype functionalities.
Areas of Collaboration
The ONCE Foundation will focus on three main areas: advising on accessibility requirements, participating in the design process, and testing the app’s functionalities once prototypes are available. The foundation aims to include experts with lived experience of disability within the project team, ensuring a blend of technical expertise and direct user perspective.
The ECB has expressed its commitment to exceeding the accessibility standards outlined in the European Accessibility Act. This commitment is reflected in an ‘accessibility by design’ approach, where accessibility features will be incorporated early on in the development process. The ECB hopes that this approach will result in a digital euro app that is clear, user-friendly, and easy to navigate.
Accessibility as a Core Principle
This collaboration aligns with broader goals identified through the ECB’s public engagement initiatives. Consumer organizations within the Euro Retail Payments Board have emphasized the need for an app that is accessible to all, highlighting it as a crucial component of universal access.
The first digital euro innovation platform involved around 70 market participants and suggested features such as voice-controlled transactions, large-font displays, and guided onboarding. These features are intended to enhance inclusion for users with varying levels of technological proficiency.
Focus groups have also revealed that vulnerable consumers prioritize multiple onboarding pathways, including in-person support at local branches, as well as payment flows that resonate with their everyday experiences. Participants stressed the importance of simplicity, reassurance, and control over personal finances, particularly for those who may be less confident using digital tools.
The partnership is embedded within the broader context of EU regulations on accessibility, fundamental rights, and digital transformation. The digital euro project is currently in its preparatory stage, with no formal decision yet made by the ECB’s Governing Council regarding issuance. Such a decision would require legislative approval from the co-legislators.
As central banks and regulators across Europe progress their work on retail central bank digital currencies, the emphasis on accessibility and financial inclusion is growing. This focus extends beyond mere compliance with regulations into broader questions of democratic access to public monetary infrastructure.
