European Central Bank Strengthens Digital Euro Strategy Through Accessibility Focused Alliance with ONCE Foundation

European Central Bank Strengthens Digital Euro Strategy Through Accessibility Focused Alliance with ONCE Foundation

(IN BRIEF) The European Central Bank and the ONCE Foundation have partnered to ensure the digital euro app is accessible to all users by embedding inclusive design principles from the earliest development stages. The foundation will provide technical expertise, contribute to design, and test prototypes to guarantee usability for people with disabilities, older adults, and those with limited digital skills. The initiative supports the ECB’s goal of going beyond regulatory requirements to deliver a universally accessible digital payment solution while reinforcing financial inclusion across Europe.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRANKFURT AM MAIN, 18-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — European Central Bank (ECB) has entered into a collaboration agreement with the ONCE Foundation for Cooperation and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities to ensure that the future digital euro application is designed to be accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited digital skills.

Through this partnership, the ECB will draw on the foundation’s specialized knowledge to integrate accessibility considerations into the app from the outset. The cooperation will focus on three main areas: providing expert technical guidance on accessibility requirements, contributing to inclusive design decisions, and evaluating the usability of early prototypes to ensure they meet the needs of diverse user groups.

Piero Cipollone, ECB Executive Board member and chair of the High-Level Task Force on a digital euro, emphasized that inclusivity is a central principle of the project. He noted that working alongside organizations with deep accessibility expertise helps ensure that the digital euro supports equal participation in the digital economy.

Jesús Hernández Galán, Director of Accessibility and Innovation at the ONCE Foundation, highlighted the importance of embedding accessibility from the earliest development stages. He explained that professionals with disabilities will be directly involved in the project, combining technical insight with real-life user experience to shape practical solutions.

The collaboration reflects the ECB’s intention to exceed baseline legal obligations, including those established under the European Accessibility Act, by adopting an “accessibility by design” methodology. This approach integrates usability and clarity into every phase of development so that the application remains intuitive, understandable, and easy to navigate for all citizens. Lessons learned may also guide accessibility standards for payment service providers that will interact with the digital euro ecosystem.

Digital inclusion is a key objective of the broader initiative. Discussions within the Euro Retail Payments Board have underscored the importance of a universally accessible application to guarantee equal access to central bank digital money. Insights from the ECB’s digital euro innovation platform, which involved around 70 market participants, suggest that features such as voice-enabled payments, larger text displays, and guided onboarding could significantly improve usability.

Public engagement has also played a role in shaping development priorities. Focus groups with vulnerable users pointed to the value of offering multiple onboarding options, including face-to-face assistance at local branches, and designing payment experiences that mirror familiar processes. Participants stressed the importance of reassurance, simplicity, and maintaining control over personal finances, particularly for those less comfortable with digital technologies.

The non-remunerated collaboration aligns with European frameworks on accessibility, fundamental rights, and digital transformation, supporting the goal of creating a digital euro that delivers a user-friendly and inclusive experience for all citizens.

The ONCE Foundation, based in Spain, works to advance the social inclusion of people with disabilities through initiatives spanning accessibility, employment, education, and digital innovation.

For media queries, please contact Georgina Garriga Sánchez, tel.: +49 69 1344 95368.

SOURCE: European Central Bank