European Language Equality Network

European Language Equality Network
Abbreviation	ELEN
Established	2011; 14 years ago
Legal status	non-governmental organization
Purpose	promotion of lesser-used languages in Europe
Location	6 plasenn Gwirioù Mab-Den,; 29270 Karaez, France;
Coordinates	48°16′41″N 3°34′22″W / 48.27810°N 3.57290°W
Region	Europe
Website	elen.ngo

The European Language Equality Network (ELEN) is an international non-governmental organization that is active at the European level^[1] which works to protect and promote European lesser-used languages (lesser-used languages), i.e. regional languages, minority languages, endangered languages, co-official languages and national languages of small nations. As of 2025, it states that 174 member organisations representing 50 languages in 25 European states, constitutes its network.^[2] This includes many language NGOs as well as academic institutions.^[3]

History

ELEN was formed after the closure of EBLUL, European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages, a non-governmental organization with similar goals founded in 1982 and closed in 2010^[4] The Secretary-General of ELEN has been Davyth Hicks since its foundation and its current president is Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, elected in 2021.^[5]