EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 10.10.2024

COM(2024) 456 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Funding to promote, protect and enforce fundamental rights
2024 Annual report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Funding to promote, protect and enforce fundamental rights

2024 Annual report on the application of the
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Table of contents

1.Introduction

2.Promotion and protection of fundamental rights through the CERV programme

3.Promotion and protection of fundamental rights through other EU funding programmes

4.Funding for fundamental rights in the Member States

5.Cooperation between the EU and other public and private donors

6.Conclusion

1.Introduction

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter) brings together the fundamental rights to which everyone in the European Union is entitled. With the 25th anniversary of its proclamation drawing closer in 2025, the rights, freedoms and principles of the Charter remain as important as ever.

When does the Charter apply? Since 2009, the Charter has the same legal value as the Treaties, the EU law on which EU legislation and policies are based 1 . EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies must comply with it in all their activities, as must the Member States when they implement EU law 2 . Member States implement EU law notably when they: - give effect to EU legislation by adopting national implementing measures; - adopt legislation where EU law imposes specific obligations, or allows for a derogation 3 ; - implement EU funding programmes in line with the EU funding rules.

In its 2020 Strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU (the Charter strategy) 4 , the European Commission set out measures to enhance the use of the Charter 5 to support the application of fundamental rights across EU policies. One way for the Commission to showcase the Charter’s application is by presenting thematic annual reports on the application of the Charter 6 . This year’s Charter report is dedicated to funding to promote, protect and enforce fundamental rights.

Applicability of fundamental rights in EU funding. Over the years, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has clarified the relationship between EU funding and the application of the Charter. According to the CJEU, Member States are considered to be ‘implementing Union law’ and obliged to respect the rights and promote the application of the Charter when EU law on funding is being implemented 7 . This includes, in particular, the drawing up of programming documents, the setting up of the management, monitoring and control systems, programme implementation, and the carrying out of the concrete actions outlined in a project description 8 . In addition to national managing authorities and intermediate bodies, certain project beneficiaries may be considered to be implementing EU law and be bound by the Charter 9 .

Dedicated funding plays a central role in supporting the implementation of the EU’s fundamental rights policies in the Member States 10 . The Commission has recognised in particular the need to support the civil society, human rights defenders, national, regional and local authorities, legislators, judges and other justice practitioners and others in applying fundamental rights. The Commission has recalled the difficulties reported by civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders 11  in accessing funding, and has taken steps to support an enabling environment for CSOs. In its Recommendation on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes 12 , the Commission encouraged the Member States to dedicate funding to CSO participation and to strengthen their resilience when facing threats and attacks 13 . The Commission also acknowledged the need for both the Member States and the Commission to ensure that EU-funded projects comply with EU values and EU law, including the Charter 14 .

2023 European Commission seminar on supporting civil society through funding. In June 2023, the Commission organised a seminar on supporting CSOs through funding. As part of the follow up on the 2022 Charter report on thriving civic space 15 , the seminar enabled an exchange between civil society, the Commission and other donors on best funding practices and synergies. Further action suggested by the participants included the continued provision of funding for capacity-building, resilience and protection through EU and national funds. The participants also encouraged a regular donor dialogue to ensure complementarity and diversification of funding, increase its accessibility and flexibility, and to enable mutual learning amongst donors 16 .

During this mandate (2019-2024), the Commission has strengthened its focus on funding to support the implementation of EU values and fundamental rights, including by managing the substantially increased budget of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. The Commission has also established fundamental rights conditionalities to ensure that EU funding is spent in a fundamental rights and EU values compliant manner. Since the adoption of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 17 , several global crises have highlighted the need to support the actors that contribute to the implementation and application of the Charter across the EU.

This Charter report provides an overview of the developments in the field of fundamental rights-relevant funding. As in previous years, it seeks to provide a snapshot of those elements the stakeholders have identified as relevant by presenting achievements and challenges. All examples are non-exhaustive and included for illustrative purposes only. The annex lists some of the projects reported by stakeholders as examples of promotion of the fundamental rights set out in the Charter. 

What material is this report based on? The Commission has worked with the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) to gather data for the report. In addition to the material gathered by the Commission and the FRA, this report draws on a qualitative assessment of consultation feedback, including: ·targeted consultations with: (i) Member States and the Charter focal points 18 ; (ii) international public and private donors; and (iii) the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) and the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet) and their members; ·an online consultation through the FRA’s civil society network, the Fundamental Rights platform 19 ; ·stakeholder contributions received for other Commission activities, such as in the context of the assessment of the ‘Horizontal Enabling Condition on the effective application of the Charter (Charter HEC) 20 .

The Charter report is also an opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the Charter strategy. The following advancements can be reported from the past year:

How has the Charter strategy been implemented over the past year? -In December 2023, the Commission adopted its 2023 Annual report on the application of the Charter, dedicated to effective legal protection and access to justice 21 . -In March 2024, jointly with the European Economic and Social Committee, it organised a dedicated follow-up seminar to bring together interested stakeholders to share best practices and challenges related to effective legal protection and access to justice. -26 Member States have nominated a Charter focal point to promote the effective application of the Charter in their Member State 22 . The Commission has organised regular meetings with the Charter focal points and shares relevant information with them. -The Commission has continued to develop training for EU staff on applying the Charter in impact assessments. It provides a continuous internal training course on the Charter in impact assessments. An update of the Operational Guidance on taking account of Fundamental Rights in Commission Impact Assessments is underway. 23 -The Commission has also initiated the development of a manual to ensure a coherent and effective implementation of the horizontal enabling conditions (HEC) on the Charter 24 , as well as the development of publicly available online courses. -Training provision for justice professionals on the application of the Charter has continued under the European judicial training strategy 2021-2024 25 , and information on fundamental rights is available through the European e-Justice Portal 26 and the Commission’s website 27 . -Jointly with the FRA, the Commission in December 2023 organised a first-ever CharterXchange online event, which brought together professionals and other participants to exchange on the application of the Charter 28 . The FRA is also making its Charter tools available in national languages 29 .

2.Promotion and protection of fundamental rights through the CERV programme

2.1.Funding to support the application of fundamental rights

The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme is the only EU funding programme that specifically seeks to protect and promote the rights and values enshrined in the Treaties, and the Charter, to sustain open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law 30 . The programme funds activities encouraging democratic, civic and social participation, and the diversity of the European society based on common values, history and memory, as well as enhancing civil society’s capacity and fostering cross-border cooperation and trust.

The budget of the CERV was substantially increased for the 2021–2027 period following a proposal by the European Parliament to more than double it to over EUR 1,5 billion. This transformed the programme into the largest EU fund dedicated to promoting the founding values and fundamental rights across Europe and to reinforce a Union of Equality, Justice, Rights and Values.

The CERV programme funds a broad range of actors in the Member States and third countries 31 . While the programme supports in particular CSOs, other beneficiaries include European networks, public authorities (including NHRIs, equality bodies, ombudspeople and other fundamental rights bodies and national data protection authorities), towns and municipalities, academia and research institutes, think thanks, international organisations and other actors active in promoting EU values and rights.

The programme is primarily implemented through grants 32 but funds may also be allocated through procurement to monitor, control, audit and evaluate activities, information technology systems, studies, meetings of experts and communications 33 .

Various activities are moreover implemented with the contribution of international organisations, such as the OECD, OSCE, Council of Europe and UNESCO. For instance, the CERV programme supports the knowledge-sharing and standard-setting work of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on hate crime 34 .

2.2.Programme innovations to better respond to needs on the ground

Novelties and simplifications have been introduced in the CERV programme to strenghten its effectiveness and address challenges raised by stakeholders, and CSOs in particular 35 . These include the introduction of financial support to third parties, the development of multiannual work programmes, lump sum payments, as well as the establishment of a network of National CERV Contact Points .

The new Union Values strand, with its budget of EUR 668 million, has reinforced the role of the CERV as the EU’s programme to fund CSOs, including those at grassroots level. During its first year of implementation, projects funded from the Union values call supported more than 800 grassroot CSOs.

The financial support to third parties scheme allows EU funds to be disbursed to strengthen the capacities of grassroot CSOs by re-granting through intermediaries, such as large CSOs, EU-wide umbrella organisations and other European networks. The scheme therefore facilitates for smaller organisations with limited experience and capacities to access EU funding. The scheme has thus far been instrumental in supporting organisations working to protect and promote Union values, including those combating violence 36 . The most recent call for proposals under the Union Values strand 37 aims to contribute to securing adequate funding and empowering CSOs to strenghten their capacity and their resilience, including by monitoring and reacting to threats and attacks.

In addition to the re-granting scheme, the CERV programme focuses on increased accessibility and simplification through the use of multiannual work programmes, which enable potential beneficiaries to develop a longer-term perspective on the upcoming funding possibilities while maintaining flexibility. In addition, specific calls aimed at supporting CSOs allow for longer than average project duration. Along the same line, the introduction of lump sums for the majority of the CERV calls enables payments to be made according to pre-agreed performance.

The CERV programme continues to award also the traditional action grants, in particular to CSOs, as well as operating grants to so-called CERV Framework Partners, which are 73 European networks, CSOs and European think tanks active at EU level in the areas of Union values. Moreover, operating grants are awarded to 10 EU level Networks active in the area of rights of persons with disabilities.

The programme also relies on a network of Member State-designated National Contact Points in 21 Member States 38 . They provide guidance, information and assistance to potential applicants, beneficiaries and stakeholders and contribute to disseminating information and enhancing the visibility and accessibility of the programme. Events directly organised by National Contact Points reach more than 4000 people per year. The Commission is also preparing to launch a CERV communication campaign in the latter part of 2024 to raise public awareness about the programme and promote funding opportunities among potential applicants 39 . 

2.3.Achievements and ongoing developments

The preliminary insights from ongoing analysis as well as feedback from beneficiaries point at the unique nature of CERV funding. The programme is perceived as a crucial funding stream for the survival of many beneficiary organisations, and one that contributes to the promotion of relevant EU policies. The programme is perceived unique in its priorities and types of activities funded, while synergies exist with other EU funding programmes; some innovations have led to greater predictability, flexibility and simplification in the programme implementation. Oftentimes, beneficiaries consider direct EU funding in the areas covered by the programme as the only way to ensure accessibility, increase transparency, and to reduce risks of maladministration. In addition, promotion and protection of values at European level requires transnational cooperation mechanisms, networking and mutual learning opportunities, which typically cannot be offered by individual Member States. The programme also supports projects and organisations working for the promotion and protection of rights and values irrespective of the beneficiaries’ line of activities. The CERV programme is, therefore, essential for the EU in order to sustain and further develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies which are based on the rule of law.

Overall, the CERV programme has attracted significant interest. For instance, 41% of the respondents to the FRA’s online consultation carried out in support of this report had applied for and received CERV funding and another 20% had applied but did not receive funding 40 .

Although the CERV programme benefits from a higher budget than its predecessors, its magnitude is still not fully aligned with the demand on the ground. Some calls for proposals are particularly oversubscribed, so that only between 8% and 17% of the applications are funded. Many excellent applications cannot be funded due to budget limitations.

To date, CSOs represent more than 60% of the beneficiaries. Since 2021, almost 4000 CSOs from all Member States have received support from the programme. Under the calls for proposals to promote civil society organisations’ awareness of, capacity building and implementation of the Charter 41 , over EUR 19 million have been awarded to projects on capacity building and awareness-raising on the Charter, empowering the civic space, supporting strategic litigation 42 , combating hate crime and hate speech, and protecting whistleblowers. 

A key objective of the CERV programme is to provide effective and evidence-based responses to emerging challenges that undermine fundamental rights, civic participation and EU values. The programme has been able to react to challenges posed by, for instance, the digital transition and AI with dedicated call priorities. An example is financial support to national data protection authorities’ activities to raise public awareness and facilitate SMEs’ compliance with the right to data protection in the digital age.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for CERV projects, some of which were extended or postponed or activities replaced. In addition, certain ongoing projects address the effects of the pandemic, for instance by exploring how it impacted the democratic debate and the enjoyment of fundamental rights. Similarly, some CERV calls have paid attention to addressing the consequences of the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine – a targeted call for proposal 48  addressed children’s needs and challenges in the EU and paid attention to the rights of children with specific vulnerabilities, including those having fled from Ukraine.

Several CERV projects focus on the protection of democratic freedoms and the enjoyment of fundamental rights by all, in particular people in the most vulnerable situations.

The consultations conducted in support of this report show that the Commission needs to continue fostering the accessibility of the programme for potential applicants and the continuity of funding for the beneficiaries. Funding should remain aligned with the policy needs on the ground, with the possibility to cover new and emerging needs. In view of this, developing synergies between national funding and EU level funding from other EU funding programmes, remains a key objective for optimising the achievement of fundamental rights policy priorities.

3.Promotion and protection of fundamental rights through other EU funding programmes

EU funding contributes to the promotion and protection of fundamental rights across different policy areas. This chapter describes the relevant funding made available under the Justice programme, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Digital Europe and other programmes. It also looks at new funding mechanisms that make EU funding conditional on national reforms and examines the Charter HEC in promoting the respect for fundamental rights in the implementation of the EU funds covered by the Common Provisions Regulation 51 .

3.1. The Justice programme 

National judges and other justice practitioners play an important role in developing a European area of justice based on the rule of law, mutual recognition, mutual trust and judicial cooperation. As acknowledged in the 2023 Charter report on effective legal protection and access to justice 52 , they have a central role in ensuring that individuals are able to effectively assert their rights, including fundamental rights, in line with Article 47 to 50 of the Charter. 

The Justice programme 53 , with a total budget of EUR 296.8 million for 2021-2027, funds the training of justice practitioners, supports judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters 54 and effective access to justice for citizens and businesses.

The largest share of the budget is dedicated to judicial training, implemented in line with the Judicial Training Strategy 2021-2024 55 . The call for proposals for action grants to support transnational projects on judicial training covering civil law, criminal law or fundamental rights 56 aims to contribute to the effective and coherent application of EU civil and criminal law and fundamental rights by addressing the training needs of justice professionals. Fundamental rights are also incorporated into training on other areas of EU law. Attention is paid to the rights of people in vulnerable situations (such as people with disabilities, victims of gender-based and domestic violence, racism and discrimination on other grounds, and children). The largest share of the training budget is issued to the European Judicial Training Network 57 . The Human Rights Education for Legal professionals (HELP) programme is also co-financed from the Justice programme.

In addition, the call for proposals for action grants to support transnational projects in the fields of e-justice, victims’ rights and procedural rights 60 , aims to ensure the effective implementation of the EU law on procedural rights and victims’ rights and the related fundamental rights (Articles 47 and 48 of the Charter). Under the call, the Commission funds projects which facilitate the non-discriminatory access to justice for all and effective judicial protection, including by electronic means (e-justice). The focus is on the promotion of efficient and fair criminal proceedings, and, with regard to victims of crime, related civil proceedings. The call covers monitoring and capacity building activities for ensuring the effective implementation of the rights of all victims of crime and the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings 61 .

The Justice programme also provides funding for studies, expert groups and events, as well as the European e-Justice Portal 64 , a one-stop-shop for information related to justice in the EU. The Portal hosts extensive information on fundamental rights 65 , the tool “Does the Charter Apply to my Case?” and a tutorial on the Charter as well as the European Training Platform 66 .

In addition to action grants for individual projects, the Commission grants operating grants to select stakeholders to support their smooth functioning from the Justice programme.

3.2. Digital Europe Programme 

Initiatives regarding the digitalisation of justice 67 are partially funded from the Digital Europe Programme (DEP)  68 , which focuses on the maintenance and development of the EU’s digital capacities in key areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and technologies for sectors like energy, climate change and environment, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare. The DEP has for instance been used to fund initiatives to support the preparation and the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act 69 .

Funding from the DEP has also been issued to support the implementation of the Better internet for kids strategy (BIK+) 70 , contributing to the application of the rights of the child enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter. Funding from the DEP is used to fund the network of Safer Internet Centres in Member States and the BIK platform, which raise awareness on the digital rights of children and young people. The Centres allows the public to anonymously report child sexual abuse material and advice children on how to deal with harmful online content. The DEP has also been used to support the implementation of the Web Accessibility Directive 71  and the development of standards on digital accessibility, contributing to the application of Article 25 of the Charter on the rights of the elderly and 26 on integration of persons with disabilities. 

Disinformation and misinformation threaten to undermine the right of everyone to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority, enshrined in Article 11(1) of the Charter. Through the DEP, the Commission supports the work of the European Digital Media Observatory 72  and its network of 14 national or multinational hubs, which are active across 28 EU and EEA countries. The network strengthens – at European and local levels – the collaboration within a community of stakeholders tackling online disinformation. 

3.3.Creative Europe 

The Creative Europe programme (CE) provides funding to foster cultural and linguistic diversity, promote artistic expression, and boost the economic potential of the creative industries 73 . Its objectives contribute to the promotion of non-discrimination, equality between women and men and cultural and linguistic diversity 74 enshrined in Article 21, 22 and 23 of the Charter. The Commission has supported projects within the media sectors, contributing to the promotion of the freedom and pluralism of the media (Article 11(2) of the Charter).

Another focus of the CE programme is monitoring media pluralism and ownership through studies to support proposals for legislation, such as the European Media Freedom Act 76 . Support has also been made available to strengthen the economic resilience of the media through innovations to help it grow revenues. Media organisations can receive training, develop business models together, or pay for editorial work 77 .

Decisions at EU level impact people’s life but are often underreported in the media. Under the “Multimedia Actions” 78 budget line, funding has been made available to media organisations and national press agencies to provide independent information. The funding can for example help target areas where media pluralism is low, contributing to the promotion of everyone’s right to receive and impart information in a context where 64% of citizens consider themselves insufficiently informed on European matters. The availability and pluralism of the media has also been supported through projects to fight the emergence of news deserts and to help independent media professionals from Russia and Belarus exiled into the EU after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

3.4.Erasmus+

The Erasmus+ programme encourages young people’s participation in democratic life, including by supporting activities that contribute to citizenship education and projects to engage in civil society activities 80 . In these areas, the programme is a valuable funding source for CSOs 81 .

According to the Erasmus+ Regulation 82 , the programme contributes in particular to the respect for academic freedom, enshrined in Article 13 of the Charter. To a lesser extent, the programme seeks to ensure respect for other fundamental rights, including the right to equality and non-discrimination with a focus on fundamental rights in some actions 83 . These include Erasmus+ youth participation activities, which support projects outside the formal education and training and encourage participation in democratic life 84 . Erasmus+ cooperation projects among organisations and institutions are further expected to reinforce education and training systems’ and youth policies’ responses to today’s challenges, including in the area of fundamental rights 85 .

Erasmus+ Jean Monnet actions have been particularly instrumental in promoting fundamental rights through teaching, learning and research.

The Erasmus+ programme’s opportunities can also be taken up by projects operating in third countries in partnership with EU institutions.

To promote equal opportunities and diversity, a Framework on inclusion measures, as well as a specific ‘Inclusion and diversity strategy’, have been developed to support an easier access to funding for a wider range of organisations and applicants. 91  National agencies are furthermore required to draw up inclusion and diversity plans and dedicated support is made available for organisations and participants with fewer opportunities.

3.5. Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe (HE), the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation has a total budget of EUR 95.5 billion 92 and is aimed at strengthening the EU’s scientific and technological basis. It guarantees scientific excellence and promotes the respect of academic freedom, enshrined in Article 13 of the Charter, in all EU and non-EU countries benefiting from its funds 93 . The research topics should promote a human-centred approach based on the respect for fundamental rights and in line with ethical and societal values. These underlie each of the three pillars of the programme: excellent science; global challenges and European industrial competitiveness; and innovative Europe. 

In particular, under pillar II 94  on global challenges and European industrial competitiveness the research and innovation activities on ‘Health’ aim at developing solutions for the more effective promotion of health, within the meaning of Article 35 of the Charter, while paying attention to ethics, protection of human dignity, gender equality and ethnical aspects, as well as the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

Several research lines on ‘Culture, creativity and inclusive society’ aim to enhance the transparency, accessibility, effectiveness and legitimacy of democratic governance, as well as increase the efficiency of justice systems based on judicial independence and fair, efficient and transparent procedures in civil and criminal matters.

Research activities on ‘Civil security for society’ have focused on improving cybersecurity, digital privacy, personal data protection, creating a safer space for children online by developing innovative tools to help prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation and combating the spread of false and harmful information to safeguard democratic, social and economic stability 96 . They contain projects on limiting the effects of disasters, whether natural or human-made, which can risk societal functions and critical infrastructures in the fields of health, food, drinking water, security or government.

Furthermore, research activities on ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ require for AI and robotics to ensure the safety and societal and environmental soundness of AI-based applications and mitigate its potential for malicious use and unintended discrimination, such as gender, racial or disability bias. Research is also conducted on how to maintain a trustworthy information environment where people are empowered to recognise attempts to manipulate the civic discourse.

Lastly, research on ‘Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment’ harnesses the potential of research and innovation for guaranteeing the production of safe and healthy food, promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry, ensuring access to clean water, soil and air for all, cleaning up oceans and inland waters, and preserving and restoring the environment.

3.6. Common Agricultural Policy

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is supported by two funds, the European agricultural guarantee fund and the European agricultural fund for rural development 99 . For the first time, the CAP has a specific objective on gender equality and the participation of women in farming, whereby it contributes to the application of equality between women and men as enshrined in Article 23 of the Charter 100 . Most Member States include women’s rights organisations in the Monitoring Committees of their CAP Strategic Plans. For instance, Spain has included a top-up to the complementary income support for young farmers for young female farmers while Ireland has provided a higher support for women under its on-farm capital investment scheme. 

The CAP contributes to the application of the rights of workers to fair and just working conditions, provided for in Article 31 of the Charter. This takes place through a social conditionality mechanism, which results in the reduction of CAP payments, if farmers breach EU legislation in this field 101 . In certain sectors, financial support is available for improving farmers’ conditions.

3.7. The Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Technical Support Instrument, and the InvestEU Programme

With the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) 103 , the EU has created a new generation of funds, whose disbursement is linked to the achievement of specific objectives and targets. The RRF makes funds available for the Member States to make their economies more sustainable, resilient and prepared for the green and digital transitions. The measures address the challenges identified under the European Semester framework of economic and social policy coordination. The RRF also implements the REPowerEU Plan – the response to the socio-economic hardships and energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

The RRF is structured around six pillars: green transition; digital transformation; smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; social and territorial cohesion; health, and economic, social and institutional resilience; and policies for the next generation 104 . Through this wide range of fields, it contributes to promoting, protecting, and enforcing various fundamental rights.

The Technical Support Instrument (TSI) complements the above measures to address the economic consequences of the pandemic by improving the capacity of national institutions to implement reforms and facilitating the exchange of best practices 105 . In the area of judicial reforms, 27 projects have been supported in 15 Member States on the accessibility and digitalisation of justice (online tools, legal aid, collection of data), alternative dispute resolutions (mediation) and victim support. Projects relate to cybersecurity, data collection, digital handling of case workflows and evidence, as well as increasing the transparency of judicial decisions. 

Enhancing the national strategies and frameworks to support victims of crimes in Estonia, Portugal and Malta: this project coordinated by Victim Support Europe supports three Member States in the establishment, implementation and strengthening of strategies and frameworks for victim support. The project aims to implement a unified strategy for the benefit of victims of all crimes, thus increasing reporting rates and reducing the detrimental impacts of crime in victims’ lives and the overall costs for the society at large.

In addition, the InvestEU programme mobilises public and private investment for the EU’s top policy priorities. In particular, its Social Investment and Skills window 106 contributes to the application of fundamental rights, such as health care, social security, the right to education, equality between women and men, and the integration of persons with disabilities. Investments are made on social infrastructure (including affordable social housing, health and education infrastructure) and financing is directed to measures to promote gender equality, the integration of vulnerable people and the inclusion of and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Microfinance, ethical and social finance moreover promote entrepreneurship and the social economy with a focus on most vulnerable groups. In the field of environmental protection, InvestEU supports sustainable investment and the green transition with a dedicated Sustainable Infrastructure Window 107 .

3.8.EU funds covered by the Common Provisions Regulation

Between 2021 and 2027, fundamental rights are protected and promoted through support from the EU funds covered by the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR funds), each of which covers a specific field of EU policy. Member States need to ensure that the design and implementation of the programmes supported from these funds are in line with the Charter throughout the programming period 108 .

The CPR covers eight EU funds, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); European Social Fund Plus (ESF+); Cohesion Fund (CF); Just Transition Fund (JTF); the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF); Asylum and Migration Fund (AMIF); Internal Security Fund (ISF); and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) (CPR Funds).

Several CPR funds support the implementation of the migration and home affairs policies. Initiatives financed from the AMIF 109 , ISF 110 and BMVI 111  promote the application of several fundamental rights, such as the right to asylum 112  and the rights of the child 113 . Funded initiatives also support the provision of protection against trafficking in human beings, including for the purposes of labour or sexual exploitation 114 . 

The IMPROV-EU-project aims to develop a protocol to streamline the implementation of provisions related to the respect of fundamental rights of persons in vulnerable situations who cross the EU’s external borders. The Rightlines project works to strengthen fundamental rights protection at the Greek and Cypriot borders  115 . The CSAPE-project focuses on empowering children with information and helping young at-risk individuals 116 .

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) supports projects on ensuring the sustainable use of aquatic and maritime resources. There have been two calls for proposals for ‘Women in the Blue Economy’ to increase the participation and empowerment of women in fisheries, aquaculture, shipbuilding, and maritime transport.

The cohesion policy funds, through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 117 and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 118 , promote for instance the application of the right to education and to health, the rights of the elderly, equality between women and men, and integration of persons with disabilities.

The e-Schools-project 119  increased digital competences and the use of ICT in teaching and learning in 147 schools by providing ICT equipment and digital education tools for primary and secondary schools in Croatia. The Proximity Mobile Healthcare Units-project 120 promoted social inclusion and reduced inequalities by deploying mobile healthcare units to increase the accessibility of preventative care, disease diagnosis and monitoring in the Algarve region. The Commission has launched the Subgroup for the use of EU funds for Roma inclusion to follow up on expert hearings on meeting the challenges in accessing EU funds and improving the lives of marginalised Roma communities 121 . The Subgroup has prepared a compilation of promising practices, which has been shared with National Roma Contact Points, relevant managing authorities and CSOs. The process feeds into the preparations of the next MFF, the upcoming cohesion policy programming and similar developments in other relevant funds.

The horizontal enabling condition on the Charter

The CPR contributes to the protection and promotion of fundamental rights through the introduction of ‘enabling conditions’ for all CPR funds, a novelty compared to the ex ante conditionalities in the 2014-2020 CPR 122 . The enabling conditions must be fulfilled by each Member State to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of these funds throughout the programming period. There are two types of enabling conditions, i.e. the Horizontal Enabling Conditions (HECs) applicable to all CPR funds 123 , and the thematic enabling conditions (TECs) exclusively applicable to ERDF, CF and ESF+ 124 .

The Charter HEC requires Member States to set up effective mechanisms to ensure effective application and implementation of the Charter. These include arrangements to ensure that the programmes supported by the CPR funds and their implementation comply with the relevant provisions of the Charter, and reporting arrangements to the monitoring committee regarding cases of non-compliance of operations supported by these funds with the Charter and complaints regarding the Charter.

If effective mechanisms are not in place, the Charter HEC is not considered fulfilled. As a consequence, the Commission informs the Member State that the expenditure linked to the specific objectives will not be reimbursed until the Member State provides sufficient guarantees that effective mechanisms are in place 125 . In particular, the Member States are required to set out the roles and responsibilities of different authorities and bodies. This must cover all stages of the programming and implementation, and the bodies or persons which provide assistance on fundamental rights must be identified. Member States are also required to provide information about the procedures for cases of non-compliance and complaints and about the composition and rules of procedures of the monitoring committees. These should include relevant bodies representing civil society, such as bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination 126 .

In the online consultation conducted in support of the report 127 , 62% of the responding CSOs were aware of the obligations following from the Charter HEC. One in two of the responding organisations indicated that they worked on ensuring fundamental rights compliance in the use of EU funds, i.e. as member or observers in monitoring committees 128 , or by delivering training, capacity building or evaluations of fundamental rights compliance of projects funded by the EU 129 .

Member States are also required to provide information about the procedures for examination of complaints in cases of non-compliance with the Charter and about the composition and rules of procedure of the monitoring committees, guaranteeing the balanced representation of relevant partners with the necessary independence to ensure compliance with the Charter. To ensure the fulfilment of the Charter HEC, in line with the principle of shared management 130 , the Commission maintains a dialogue with the Member States in the monitoring committees or bilaterally.

The Charter HEC has contributed to the protection and promotion of Article 21 of the Charter in a case where an anti-discrimination clause was included in the partnership agreement and the cohesion programmes to ensure that no discriminatory action (for instance on grounds of sexual orientation) was contained in project applications submitted by local or regional authorities. It has contributed to the application of Article 47 of the Charter in some Member States, which adopted measures to strengthen the independence and impartiality of the courts and tribunals.

Challenges relating to the implementation fo the Charter HEC however remain 131 , with the most relevant being the lack of financial and human resources 132 for the organisations that participate in the implementation of the Charter HEC. This results from the increase in demand for support from fundamental rigths bodies 133 . Referring to the requirement under the UN Paris Principles for countries to ensure that NHRIs enjoy adequate resources and financial autonomy, ENNHRI advocates for sufficient resources for its members. It notes that ensuring fundamental rights compliance requires substantial resources in a context where the resources for NHRIs to carry out their core mandate are limited 134 . While some NHRIs have remedied the lack of human resources by recruiting additional staff 135 , others must limit the role of bodies or persons providing assistance on fundamental rights based on the limited resources, calling for the further allocation of funds for this issue 136 .

It should be noted that the CPR 137 explicitly enables Member States to allocate a percentage of the resources from the funds for the capacity-building of social partners and CSOs involved in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the programmes, but this is not sufficiently well known or applied 138 . In addition, ESF+ has a thematic concentration requirement on the capacity-building of social partners and CSOs to ensure their meaningful participation in the delivery of employment, education and social inclusion policies supported by the ESF+ 139 . Member States have allocated 400 million EUR to support civil society and 362 million EUR to support social partners.

The consultations also included a clear call for more information and guidance to support national authorities in the implementation of the Charter HEC, in particular as regards the need for clarity regarding its practical implications 140 and for increased technical expertise on EU funds 141 . In line with the commitments of the Charter strategy, the Commission has initiated the preparation of a manual that will guide national authorities and bodies in the effective implementation of the Charter HEC.

In 2023, the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights published a report on the role of national fundamental rights bodies in ensuring fundamental rights compliance of EU funds 142 . According to it, several factors affect the likelihood of reaching the full potential of the Charter HEC. These include the availability of information, capacity-building, cooperation among authorities and the need to simplify management documentation. The Polish NHRI has developed a checklist of Charter compliance for the implementation of EU funds, and a guidance on the application of the Charter when spending EU funds 143 . The CERV-funded project ECHOFunds – Enhancing Charter Compliance of EU Funds works to provide an overview of the stakeholders involved in the implementation of EU funds, as well as develop online materials based on identified good practice from this field 144 .

As a result of the intensive dialogue between the Commission and the Member States during the approval phase of the programmes and after the approval, 26 Member States currently fulfill the Charter HEC 145 . One Member State does not yet fulfil it under several programmes, as serious concerns related to several fundamental rights remain 146 .

The Commission continuously monitors whether the Charter HEC remains fulfilled or whether developments in the Member States have an impact on the fulfilment of enabling conditions. In addition to the regular channels of information used by the Commission, the CPR provides a framework for monitoring, among others, through Annual Performance Review meetings 147  and monitoring committee meetings 148 . These underline the legal obligation for Member States to discuss with the partners in monitoring committes or the Commission any issues impacting the fulfilment of the Charter HEC.

3.9. Measures to prevent and mitigate the abuse of EU funds

Member States have a general responsibility to respect the common values enshrined in Article 2 TEU and the Charter, when implementing the EU budget. The Financial Regulation 149 requires the Commission to ensure at all stages of the funding cycle (pre-signature, implementation, ex-post checks) that EU funding is not issued to organisations and projects that carry out activities that are incompatible with EU values 150 .

Before the signing of a grant agreement, the Commission evaluates the submitted proposals to select those to be funded. At this stage, checks are carried out to verify whether the projects respect EU values. The Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES), a mechanism to protect the EU’s financial interests against unreliable persons and entities, enables the early detection of entities who represent risks, and provides for their exclusion. It also enables the imposition of a financial penalty following Article 138 of the Financial Regulation 151 . In addition, grant signatories sign a declaration of honour to certify that they do not take part in activities against EU values. Detailed eligibility criteria concerning the respect of EU values may also be included in specific calls for proposals.

During the implementation stage, corporate model grant agreements 152  provide for the obligation for the selected beneficiaries to respect EU values. This obligation is extended to associated partners, subcontractors, and recipients of financial support to third parties. If a breach of EU values is identified during the implementation of the action, the authorising officer can take measures, such as the suspension of payment, grant reduction or cost rejection, termination of the agreement or of the participation of the concerned beneficiary.

After the activity’s finalisation, the grant remains subject to checks, audits or investigation by the granting authority, European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), or the Court of Auditors. 153  OLAF moreover manages the Union Anti-Fraud Programme 154 , which supports Member States in their fight against fraud against the financial interests of the EU. Support is provided as technical assistance, training, and research. Some of the funded projects have focused on ensuring that the investigations comply with fundamental rights and procedural guarantees.

Sectoral funding legislation may set further requirements regarding EU values. For instance, the CERV Regulation 156 refers to the need to actively cultivate, protect and promote the founding values and fundamental rights at a time where European societies are confronted with extremism, radicalism and divisions, and where the space for independent civil society is shrinking. Potential applicants are required to outline the measures they plan to take to guarantee full compliance with the EU values and Article 21 of the Charter 157 . 

As of 2024, the national agencies implementing the Erasmus+ programme through indirect management are also explicitly required to ensure the respect of EU values 158 . In addition, the grant award criteria include “the extent to which the proposal is relevant for the respect and promotion”. A grant may be terminated or reduced if these provisions are not respected 159 .

Similarly, in the Horizon Europe programme 160 , all research and innovation activities carried out must comply with national, EU and international law, including the Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights. These provisions are translated into contractual obligations in the model grant agreement 161 .

Member States and national stakeholders, such as NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspersons, also implement measures to mitigate risks in the granting and disbursement of funding. These are usually included in the grant agreements. These stakeholders also refer to national anti-corruption policies, whistleblower rules and codes of conduct.

4.Funding for fundamental rights in the Member States

Based on the mutually complementary role of EU funding and national funding, this chapter describes how Member States provide funding to promote the application of fundamental rights. Drawing in particular on the targeted consultations with Member States and other stakeholders, it describes and gives examples on how national funding opportunities have been used to promote the application of the Charter.

The chapter also looks into the role of NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspeople in raising awareness of funding opportunities and creating links between the various levels of government and civil society to facilitate the development and implementation of projects in their Member States.

4.1. Member State funding for fundamental rights

Activities to promote, protect and enforce fundamental rights are generally funded from the statutory budgets of Member States. Given the horizontal scope of application of fundamental rights, nearly all policy areas, including health, education and justice or home affairs, contain activities relevant for the promotion of fundamental rights. Many Member States also support the application of fundamental rights by issuing project grants and complement the EU’s funding efforts by providing the necessary co-financing for EU-funded initiatives. Furthermore, as discussed in chapter 5, several other donors than the EU provide fundamental rights relevant funding in the Member States.

As regards project funding, Member States provide project funding opportunities in several policy areas related to the application of fundamental rights.

In the area of equality between women and men, Austria funds projects against gender-based violence and to empower women and girls in science, engineering and mathematics and in the digital world, as well as to develop their financial literacy. Funding has also been made available to empower women over 60, with a focus on women from rural areas 169 . In the justice field, Finland has granted funding to improve the situation of young crime recidivists at risk of social exclusion, the prevention of radicalization, and local crime prevention 170 . Specific project examples include a project in Ireland, the “Ireland Against Racism Fund”, which supports the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism by funding work with minority ethnic communities. Funding is provided to local, regional and national projects on fostering racial equality 171 . In Austria, a project initiated by the Jewish Community of Vienna, “LIKRAT - Let's Talk” 172 , brings together youths and young adults aged 10 to 35 to create a space for an open dialogue, aiming to break down prejudices against Judaism and foster connections between participants from different religious and ethnic backgrounds with the objective is to dismantle stereotypes and foster interreligious understanding and fundamental rights.

Several Member States report of initiatives to ensure that funding to promote and protect fundamental rights reaches stakeholders at regional and local levels.

The Swedish government provides supplementary project funding to regions and municipalities for the provision of health care services in areas where actions need to be taken in addition to those covered from the state budget 173 . In Spain, 20 % of project funding on social affairs goes to activities at state level, and 80 % to the regional level 174 .

In line with the importance of funding civil society and human rights defenders and the maintenance of an open civic space, CSOs are the main recipients of funding in the field of protecting and promoting fundamental rights in several Member States. Many of them 175  fund civil society from their regular state budgets, and some have established additional, targeted project grant schemes.

Luxembourg enabled the Ministry of Justice to finance projects by organisations working in the field of fundamental rights. Selected projects have established workshops for children to learn about their rights, provided legal advise for vulnerable migrants, and provided training for legal aid providers 176 . Estonia supports organisations working on fundamental rights, equality and women’s rights, through a three-year grant intended to enhance funding sustainability and reduce reliance on short-term, project-based activities. 177 . In 2023, France granted subsidies to almost 1500 associations in charge of the reception, accommodation and integration measures for asylum-seekers and migrants. The beneficiaries are selected through annual calls for projects at national, regional and local levels.

In 2022, a coalition of German CSOs launched the Hannah-Arendt-Initiative 178 , a protection programme for journalists, media professionals and free speech defenders. Support has been provided to almost 5000 people from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Sudan, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The programme provides emergency scholarships, training and capacity building, fellowship programs and exile journalism hubs. The work consists of a fund for exiled media, research and study grants, scholarships, legal and psychosocial support and residential programmes.

The majority of the contributing Member States 179 publish information on the available funding opportunities on the government’s or an agency’s web page or on social media. In some cases, the information however only covers one funding source or sources from a certain policy area, and no centralised information source on all funding information is available.

Spain operates a National Subsidies Database with all calls for proposals published in the official gazette and registered in the National System for the Publicity of Public Subsidies and Grants 180 . Also Romania has developed an online platform with information on available EU level and national funding opportunities. This single access point also functions as a tool for identifying funding partners and sharing good practices 181 . In Finland, the CERV National Contact Point cooperates with civil society by organising training and information sessions on funding opportunities, participating in events, and working with existing structures, such as the Advisory Board on Civil Society, other government advisory boards and agencies, and networks of umbrella organisations.

Simultaneously with the above efforts, CSOs report having suffered from politically motivated funding cuts 182 , which negatively affect their operating capabilities and possibilities to contribute to open, democratic discourse. As each year, the Charter report gathers together examples provided by Member States, Charter focal points, civil society and other stakeholders. This means that no comparable information is collected on all instances where funding to CSOs has been cut, the conditions for funding disproportionately tightened, or the circumstances of fundamental rights actors otherwise weakened over the past year. In light of recent data however, such developments continue to take place across the EU 183 .

In addition, in the civil society survey conducted to prepare this report, two main challenges were identified as regards national funding to civil society: the lack of available funding due to the thematic focus of the respondents’ activities (35%) and the lack of core or infrastructure funding (30%). Other issues perceived as challenges by the civil society include insufficient or difficultly findable information (22%), the lack of funding for projects of smaller organisations or for smaller projects (22%), and the limited impact of projects due to short funding cycles or lack of follow-up funding (21%) 184 .

Member States furthermore report on cooperation with international donors in the field of fundamental rights funding. This is in particular the case in the field of external action, where Member States contribute to the funding of international and regional human rights bodies, as well as of international CSOs. Some Member States additionally provide bilateral grants to human rights actors under their foreign policies 185 , or have in place bilateral co-operation programmes 186 . 

Regarding the use of third-party funding opportunities in the Member States, Bulgaria has combined funding from the state budget, the Justice programme and the EEA/Norway grants to build the capacity of the judiciary in the field of fundamental rights, including on judicial training, child-friendly justice and combatting violence against women and domestic violence. Poland reports on several initiatives from the field of justice administration having been funded from the Justice programme and the EEA/ Norway Grants. In Romania, 12 projects funded from the EEA/ Norway Grants were finalised on improving access to health services for vulnerable groups, including the Roma 187 . Slovenia refers to projects co-financed by the Council of Europe and the EU’s Structural Reform Support 188 .

4.2.Role of NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspersons in fundamental rights funding

The consultations conducted in support of this report were marked by high interest from NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspersons. In total, 20 of them, and their EU-level networks, participated in the targeted consultation 189 .

NHRIs under the Charter strategy – central for the Charter’s implementation In the Charter strategy, the Commission took note of the critical role of NHRIs in linking the government and the civil society. NHRIs promote the protection of all fundamental rights by monitoring the application of the Charter, providing information and support to victims of rights violations and cooperating with other national institutions to improve the use and awareness of the Charter. Given their independent status and expertise in monitoring and advising authorities, NHRIs could play a role in ensuring that EU funded programmes are designed and implemented in compliance with the Charter 190 .

As regards funding for the promotion and protection of fundamental rights, the contributing NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspersons underlined the limitations posed by their mandates. As also noted by ENNHRI in its dedicated statement from 2022 191 , following the UN Paris Principles 192 , it is not appropriate for NHRIs to take up a decision-making or voting position in the monitoring committees related to the implementation of the Charter HEC, or issue certificates on the fundamental rights compliance of the funded projects.

The activities of NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspeople are generally funded from the state budget, which may occasionally be supplemented by external funding (such as from the Norway/EEA Grants). The majority of the responding NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspersons do not themselves issue funding for fundamental rights projects. Their mandates do not task these bodies with funding-related activities.

Exceptions exist. The German General Equal Treatment Act enables the national equality body 193 to fund projects in the federal interest, when these cannot be effectively funded by a federal state. It accordingly issues calls for funding in line with its funding guidelines and annual budget 194 .

None of the responding NHRIs, equality bodies or ombudspeople inform potential applicants of available funding opportunities. The Greek Ombusman however noted that it could make recommendations to the public administration on the promotion and protection of fundamental rights, including through funding.

Some ombudspeople and NHRIs are otherwise involved in funding activities. The Croat Ombudsperson supports funding applications from familiar CSOs. The Ombudspeople of Croatia, Cyprus and Greece, and the Bulgarian, Spanish and Slovenian NHRIs, participate in events organised by CSOs as part of funded projects, or participate into project activities as part of a coalition.

Several NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspeople cooperate with other donors. This includes cooperation with the EEA/Norway Grants (Ombudspeople of Cyprus, Czechia and Greece, Slovenian NHRI). Contributors also refer to bilateral projects funded by the Netherlands and US AID, as well as project cooperation with the Council of Europe and the FRA.

NHRIs, equality bodies and ombudspeople also refer to funding made available by Equinet and ENNHRI. One of the activities implemented by ENNHRI under its CERV operating grant is financial support to third parties. This regranting possibility has allowed ENNHRI to provide funds to its member NHRIs following a dedicated call and in 2023, nine projects on strategic advancements in the promotion and protection of fundamental rights at the national level were implemented.

In addition to the challenges identified in the monitoring of the implementation of the Charter in the disbursement of EU funds 198 , the Croatian ombudsperson draws attention to certain funding-related issues, such as delays in the publishing of funding calls, lack of multiannual calls, and excessive administrative burden for organisations working on fundamental rights monitoring, watchdog activities, advocacy and non-discrimination 199 . The Slovakian NHRI points to the lack of sustainable funding that is not project-based for CSOs 200 .

5.Cooperation between the EU and other public and private donors

The EU’s funding efforts in the field of fundamental rights complement efforts made by other international donors, public and private. The EU and other international actors provide fundamental rights relevant funding both in the EU and in the neighbourhood countries and candidates, as well as globally. In third countries, the EU supports the promotion of human rights and democracy through its external policies and the advancement of universal values for all. Philantrophy organisations, as part of civil society, also support other CSOs by complementing government and private sector initiatives 201 .

Building on contributions from the targeted consultations 202 , this chapter shows how several actors make funding available for fundamental rights projects, and make efforts to ensure their topics and methodologies correspond to the needs of the beneficiaries on the ground. While the consultations point at general compatibility of these efforts, they also show that further measures could be taken to create explicit synergies.

5.1.Funding for fundamental rights in the EU from other public and private donors

Several international public and private donors provide funding to promote and protect fundamental rights in the EU through project funding and direct bilateral funding. In the FRA’s annual civic space consultation covering experience in 2023 203 , CSOs report that 15% of their funding came from international or foreign public donors, 8% from the EEA and Norway Grants and 7% from other international sources.

The EEA and Norway Grants 204  provide financial support to 15 EU Member States 205 to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and strengthen collaboration. Activities must be based on the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights 206 . Funding is issued, for instance, for the strengthening of the civil society and the empowerment of groups in vulnerable situations, improving the capacity of public administrations to uphold fundamental rights, empowering ombudspeople, NHRIs and equality bodies, and for combating discrimination, including hate crime and hate speech 207 . The grants also support Roma inclusion and empowerment with a special focus on countries with large Roma populations (Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Romania and Slovakia) 208 .

The EEA and Norway Grants also funds bilateral initiatives in the beneficiary states, as well as project partnerships with the EU’s neighbouring countries. It cooperates with the Council of Europe, the FRA and the OECD. These international partner organisations advise it on programmes and projects and implement their own projects.

Also USAID 210  aims to sustain and further develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law. It supports initiatives from CSOs, human rights defenders, and watchdog groups, as well as duty-bearer institutions, such as NHRIs, ombudspersons, as well as prosecutors and judges in Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. It has launched the provision of support to human rights activists in exile by providing grants in Poland and Germany and outside the EU to programmes supporting Russian and Belarusian activists 211 .

The United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides funding through the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. Funding to organisations providing direct support to torture and slavery survivors has been provided to organisations from Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain 212 . 

Long-term loans for infrastructure in several sectors covered by the Charter are provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB). The EIB invests in projects in the fields of social infrastructure, renewable energy, inclusive finance and urban development, as well as blends loans with grants and supports investment projects. The CEB mostly funds infrastructure for housing, education, and health care 213 . Loans and grants are likewise offered to the CEB members from outside the EU, mostly in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood.

All contributing donors seek stakeholder feedback on programme development and implementation 214 . International donors organise consultations and information sessions in the beneficiary states 215 , and involve partners in deciding how project funds are used, adjusting to political changes, and setting timelines 216 . According to the FRA, consultations with CSOs for the development of new funding programmes more often happen with bigger organisations 217 . Donors also offer other forms of support, namely capacity building, technical expertise and mentorship 218 . Fund operators are recruited from the beneficiary states based on their knowledge on the countries’ civil society to ensure that beneficiaries’ needs are met 219 .

The contributing donors also see potential for further simplification to reduce the administrative burden and to provide for additional flexibility. They also refer to ongoing reflection on how to ensure alignment between the funded activities and the grants’ values 220 . There is also a need for assistance to improve participants’ capacities regarding fundamental rights in general 221 , as well as for pre-application training and mentoring to assist in particular smaller organisations in applying for funding 222 .

The OHCHR refers to a funding gap for its two funds, where the high numbers of applications, for which it has been unable to grant funding, reveals how thousands of victims are being left unattended despite their need for support. This demonstrates a need to diversify funding sources, including with private donors.

The CEB highlights the crucial role of grants for developing social infrastructure and care projects, since projects in these areas do not normally generate revenue. They are often implemented at regional and local levels, where the need for technical expertise might be greater. Rights compliant granting may also have the beneficial effect of incentivizing projects to construct their activities in a manner that promotes fundamental rights.

Philanthropic foundations respond to funding needs by issuing a mix of project and capacity-building grants, funding organisations’ core activities, and supporting grass-roots organisations through re-granting and micro-granting 223 .

As regards joint funding, the OHCHR operates “multi-donor actions”, where a financial contribution from the EU is merged with other donors’ funding for the same purpose 225 . USAID reports having partnered with the EU, Oak Foundation, Civitates, and other donors in the provision of funding 226 , and the Council of Europe increasingly supports reforms in the EU Member States by providing expertise in projects funded from the TSI mechanism 227 .

This report shows the mutually strengthening nature of the EU’s and other donors’ funding efforts in the field of fundamental rights. In follow-up to the 2023 seminar on supporting civil society through funding 228 , informal exchange meetings on fundamental rights funding have been set up between public and private donors, including the Commission 229 . Continued exchanges remain necessary to ensure the compatibility of efforts and the exchange of information and best funding practice in line with beneficiaries’ needs.

5.2.Funding for human rights in external policies

In its external action, the EU uses a range of tools to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law both in its bilateral relations and in multilateral fora, primarily from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe. The NDICI includes a “Human Rights and Democracy Thematic Programme”, totalling EUR 1,5 billion for the 2021-2027 period. It contributes to implementing the priorities of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2027 230 , the UN Sustainable Development Goals 231 and the objectives of the Green Deal as regards the impact of environmental degradation and climate change on human rights, as well as supports electoral observation missions. 

Approximately half of this funding is managed by EU delegations. Projects promote civil and political and social, economic and cultural rights in partner countries and support human rights bodies 232 and democracy worldwide. Further thematic programmes under NDICI fund actions in support of children’s rights, gender equality, social rights, rights of migrants and forcibly displaced persons, health and education 233 , and a programme supports the maintenance of an enabling environment for civil society 234 .

The management of the funds follows a human rights-based approach with a human rights risk analysis and measures to ensure the participation of rights-holders, as well as mitigating measures to address risks where needed 235 .

The EU also funds actions which contribute to the promotion and protection of fundamental rights in countries under the Enlargement and European Neighbourhood policies 237 . Relevant projects are being funded for instance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Türkiye and Moldova, as well as in the sourthern Mediterranean region.

The EU moreover funds EU-Council of Europe joint programmes 238 . For instance, under the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, support is provided to candidate countries and potential candidates for EU accession in meeting their reform agendas and complying with European standards, including in the field of fundamental rights.

6.Conclusion 

This report has highlighted the relevance of EU funding for the protection, promotion and enforcement of fundamental rights in its internal and external policies. It shows how the EU contributes to the promotion of the rights, freedoms and principles of the Charter through its dedicated funding programmes and sectoral programmes.

As highlighted in the Charter strategy, there is a need to build the capacity of those who have a role in applying the Charter in their daily lives. Funding is one of the primary means for this important work. Funded projects – whether by the EU or Member States – render fundamental right provisions into practical solutions that benefit citizens, including persons in vulnerable situations 239 .

CSOs and human rights defenders are indispensable constituents of open, democratic societies that adhere to the founding values of the Union. The funding efforts of the EU and other donors have therefore reflected concerns regarding the narrowing of the civic space in the EU and globally. As acknowledged in the 2022 Charter report on thriving civic space 240 , CSOs must be able to function in an environment where their fundamental rights, and those of their members, are not under threat. The need to support and empower an active civil society sector across the Union remains an important priority of the Commission. 

Despite considerable funding made available by the EU and international public and private donors, not enough funding reaches fundamental rights actors. Challenges highlighted in this report include difficulties in finding information on available funding, lack of capacity to apply for funding and complicated application and reporting processes, limited possibities to get long-term funding and funding for core activities or for activities in certain sectors 241 .

At the same time, the report demonstrates how the EU and international donors have recently taken measures to address these shortcomings within the limits posed by sound financial management and risk mitigation requirements. Information provision on funding opportunities has been stepped up and different funding methodologies have been developed to better address the needs on the ground.

For a significant segment of fundamental rights actors, national, regional or local funding continues to be the primary funding source. Member States therefore have an important role in both complementing EU-funding and supporting the provision of EU funding by providing information on funding opportunities and participating in EU projects as co-funders. The cooperation with Member States will remain a central element in the implementation of EU funding. At the same time, there is a need to ensure that information on available funding opportunities reaches regional and local authorities.

The Commission welcomes the extensive engagement of stakeholders in preparing this report. Stakeholders, such as national authorities, Charter focal points, CSOs, NHRIs and other human rights defenders, legal practitioners and others, are encouraged to further distribute this report and use it to inform their constituents on the available EU funding on the field of fundamental rights. The Commission also invites the European Parliament and the Council to organise dedicated discussions on the report and is available to support these exchanges.

(1)

Article 6 Treaty on European Union (TEU).

(2)

Article 51(1) of the Charter.

(3)

When Member States adopt laws in an area where the EU has no competence and when no EU law exists, they are not implementing EU law and the Charter is not applicable. However, many fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter are also set out in national constitutions and case law, as well as in the European Convention on Human Rights, to which all Member States are signatories.

(4)

COM(2020) 711.

(5)

  Analysis of the targeted consultations for the Commission's new Charter strategy , p. 24.

(6)

 These Charter reports are intended to look more closely at the Charter’s application in a given area of strategic relevance governed by EU law. Together with the annual Rule of Law reports, the Charter reports give an account regarding the implementation of some of the EU’s founding values within the meaning of Article 2 TEU. The Charter reports contribute to upholding the fundamental values of the EU, of the rule of law, democracy and respect for fundamental rights. See previous reports: Effective legal protection and access to justice - 2023 Annual report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, COM(2023) 786; A thriving civic space for upholding fundamental rights in the EU - 2022 Annual report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, COM/2022/716; Protecting fundamental rights in the digital age - 2021 Annual report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, COM/2021/819.

(7)

See, in this regard, CJEU judgment of 17 September 2014, Liivimaa Lihaveis MTÜ, C-562/12, EU:C:2014:2229.

(8)

Commission Notice, Guidance on ensuring the respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union when implementing the European Structural and Investment Funds (‘ESI Funds’), 2016/C 269/01, para 3 and Annex I.

(9)

This is the case for instance when a Member State makes funding beneficiaries responsible for providing a public service under its control, which implies an exceptional role close to the State authority, see Commission Notice 2016/C 269/01, para 2.2.1. Member States are however not automatically implementing Union law when they manage and implement programmes supported by EU funds (see case C-198/13, Hernández and others v Spain (paras. 33-37)). Support by an EU funds is not sufficient, in itself, to lead to a conclusion that a measure involves the implementation of EU law within the meaning of Article 51(1) of the Charter. It will be necessary to examine whether in an individual case, the relevant national measures are intended to implement EU law. See case C-117/14, Grima Janet Nisttahuz Poclava v Jose María Ariza Toledano (para. 42) and Commission Notice 2016/C 269/01, Section 2.

(10)

Charter strategy, p. 8-9.

(11)

  Civil society | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) ; COM(2022) 716, p. 16, referring to dissuasive measures such as audits, funding investigations and obstacles to accessing funding.

(12)

C(2023) 8627. Also, COM(2023) 630 final, where the Commission made reference to the wide range of funding opportunities made available to boost citizen participation, civic engagement and trust in democracy, as well as underlined the need to not curtail the activities of civil society organisations and human rights defenders receiving funding from abroad.

(13)

C(2023) 8627, recital 23, p. 10 and 19.

(14)

Charter strategy, p. 8-9.

(15)

COM(2022) 716.

(16)

European Commission: Final Report - A thriving civic space for upholding fundamental rights in the EU , 19 March 2024.

(17)

 Council Regulation No 2020/2093, OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 11-22. The Multiannual Financial Framework  sets out provisions with which the annual budget of the EU must comply.

(18)

Responses were received from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as well as the Charter focal points of Croatia and Romania.

(19)

  Civil society and the Fundamental Rights Platform | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) . A total of 109 responses were received between 27 March and 13 May 2024 (103 complete and 6 partial submissions). The consultation was distributed through the FRA’s Fundamental Rights Platform to the CSOs participating in the Platform. To ensure maximum national-level outreach, the survey was also circulated within the national networks of the umbrella organisations participating in the Platform. The Platform is composed of over 1,000 civil society organisations, trade unions, faith-based organisations, experts representing academia and research institutions, and individual human rights defenders. It is the FRA’s main cooperation network with civil society in the EU27 and Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia.

(20)

Article 15 and Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (CPR).

(21)

COM(2022) 716 final; COM(2021) 819 final.

(22)

 Slovenia is the only Member State not to have done so. Estonia participates in the activities of the focal points, although it has not formally appointed one.

(23)

  https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2017-09/opperational-guidance-fundamental-rights-in-impact-assessments_en.pdf .

(24)

Article 15 and Annex III CPR.

(25)

Ensuring justice in the EU — A European judicial training strategy for 2021-2024; COM(2020).

(26)

  European e-Justice Portal - Your rights (europa.eu) .

(27)

  EU Charter of Fundamental Rights - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(28)

  1st Annual EU CharterXchange | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) .

(29)

  FRA material and resources on the Charter | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) ; Home | FRA LMS support (europa.eu) . The Charter case studies - Trainers manual and the Charter e-courses have been made available in

new language versions (Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Italian, Latvian, Polish, Romanian, Slovenian and Slovak). See Home | FRA LMS support (europa.eu) ; Charter case studies - Trainer's manual | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) .

(30)

Regulation 2021/692, OJ L 156, 5.5.2021, p. 1-20.

(31)

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Serbia and Ukraine participate in the CERV programme through association agreements. As of July 2024, negotiations had been completed with Montenegro and Moldova in preparation for their participation, while negotiations were still in progress with North Macedonia for its participation. As stipulated by the European Parliament and the Council in Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/692, third countries may not participate in the Union values strand.

(32)

Grants are financial contributions from the Commission to a beneficiary or beneficiaries to: finance an action to help achieve an EU policy objective (action grants – see Article 180(2)(a) of the Financial Regulation); finance the functioning of a body which supports the implementation of an EU policy (operating grants - Article 2(33) and 180(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation); or support to third parties for further granting to grassroots organisations (re-granting scheme - see Article 7(9) of the CERV Regulation).

(33)

The programme also finances technical and organisational support to implement Regulation No 211/2011, OJ L 65, 11.3.2011, p. 1-22. The procurement activities have, for example, included the organisation of a workshop on combating hate speech and hate crime’, mutual learning activities and exchanges of good practices on gender equality, an event on ‘30 years of citizenship rights’, or Eurobarometer surveys.

(34)

  Annex to the Commission Implementing Decision on the financing of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme and the adoption of the 2023-2024 work programme. These activities include funding to improve the support available for victims of hate crime, and justice structures’ responses to hate crime.

(35)

See, for instance, COM(2022) 716 final, pp. 20-21, referring to FRA targeted consultation EU umbrella CSOs summary report, p. 22; and European Civic Forum, Towards vibrant European civic and democratic space (2022), p. 37, on the challenges faced by some CSOs in accessing European structural funding.

(36)

2022 Union Values call (CERV-2022-CITIZENS-VALUES), 2023 call for proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children: call to intermediaries (giving financial support to third-party civil society organisations) (CERV-2023-DAPHNE), calls for operating grants to framework partners active in the area of Union values.

(37)

  Calls for proposals | EU Funding & Tenders Portal (europa.eu) .  

(38)

  https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/departments-and-executive-agencies/justice-and-consumers/justice-and-consumers-funding-tenders/funding-programmes/citizens-equality-rights-and-values-programme/cerv-national-contact-points_en .  

(39)

The campaign will rely on a number of communication tools, including a website, traditional and social media input, videos, articles about successful projects, press releases and a visual branding system. These tools will be available in all 24 official EU languages and accessible in all 27 Member States.

(40)

Online consultation through the Fundamental Rights Platform, Question 2: “Over the past five years, has your organisation applied for / received funding from EU programmes/funds?” CERV was the funding programme from which EU funding had most often been received (41% of the responding organisations reported having applied and received funding). It was followed by Erasmus+ (39%), the former REC and Europe for Citizens programmes (21%) and the Justice programme (11%).

(41)

CERV-2022-CHAR-LITI; CERV-2023-CHAR-LITI; CERV-2024-CHAR-LITI.

(42)

Projects are aimed at strengthening the ability of CSOs, human rights defenders, legal professionals, and independent human rights bodies to effectively engage in litigation practices at national and European level and to improve access to justice and enforcement of rights under EU law, including the Charter.

(43)

  Launching MACS: Monitoring action for civic space | ECNL .

(44)

  European Observatory of Online Hate (eooh.eu) .

(45)

  EU Funding & Tenders Portal (europa.eu) . The participating organisations are from Germany, Czechia, France, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovakia.

(46)

Directive 2019/1937, OJ L 305, 26/11/2019, p. 17-56.

(47)

  Minorities, Accountability, Rights, Independence and Organizational Development (MARIO) - Minority Rights Group . The participating Member States are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

(48)

Rights of the Child and Children’s Participation; CERV-2024-CHILD.

(49)

  Empowering Children's Participation in Malta – Project co-funded by the EU Program for Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) (gov.mt) .

(50)

  Rewriting the story: Gender, media and politics - IFJ .

(51)

Regulation 2021/1060, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159-706.

(52)

COM(2023) 786 final.

(53)

  Justice Programme - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(54)

JUST-2021-JCOO; JUST-2022-JCOO; JUST-2023-JCOO; JUST-2024-JCOO.

(55)

COM(2020) 713 final.

(56)

JUST-2021-JTRA; JUST-2022-JTRA; JUST-2023-JTRA; JUST-2024-JTRA.

(57)

 The EJTN’s members represent the Member States’ judicial training institutions and international organisations. EJTN promotes training programmes with a European dimension for members of the judiciary in Europe. Its training catalogue covers topics such as ‘Human Rights and Access to Justice’, ‘Fundamental Rights of minors in the Criminal Justice System’, ‘Applicability and Effect of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights in National Proceedings’ and digitalisation (‘Freedom of Speech in the Digital Era’, ‘AI and Data Protection’, ‘Cross Border Exchange of Electronic Evidence’); European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) .

(58)

  Home | Council of Europe HELP (coe.int) .

(59)

  JuLIA Project | JuLIA (julia-project.eu) .

(60)

JUST-2021-JACC; JUST-2021-EJUSTICE; JUST-2022-EJUSTICE; JUST-2023-JACC-EJUSTICE. Action grants and operating grants are provided under this call. Since 2023, action grants have been awarded biannually.

(61)

One of the specific objectives of the Victims’ Rights priority is to contribute to the effective and coherent application of EU acquis in the area of the rights of victims of crime in line with the priorities set up in the EU Strategy on victims’ rights (2020-2025).

(62)

  Home | The DigiRIGHTS Project . The project is ongoing from December 2022 to February 2025 and the participating universities are KU Leuven, Tartu University, University of Göttingen, University of Genoa, University of Zagreb and University of Luxembourg.

(63)

  Infovictims III – Victim Support Europe (victim-support.eu) . The project was ongoing from 1 November 2020 to 31 December 2022.

(64)

  European e-Justice Portal (europa.eu) .

(65)

  European e-Justice Portal - Fundamental rights (europa.eu) .

(66)

  About the Platform | European Training Platform (europa.eu) .

(67)

The e-CODEX (Regulation 2022/850) is a tool to ensure that justice systems can efficiently cooperate in a digital way. It was developed by a consortium of Member States and organisations with funding from DEP. The DEP has also been used to fund IT development work related to other recent legislative initiatives, namely Regulation 2023/2844, the Digitalisation of Service of Documents Regulation and the Taking of Evidence Regulation, and the Joint Investigation Teams collaboration platform.

(68)

  The Digital Europe Programme | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu) .

(69)

Funded actions include actions to help companies, in particular SMEs, to facilitate compliance with the Act, the development of an EU database for the registration of high-risk AI systems, and a pilot action for the establishment of Union Testing Facilities in AI. See Regulation 2024/1689, OJ L, 2024/1689, 12.7.2024. The Act will ensure a high level of protection of fundamental rights, including by addressing the risk of erroneous or biased AI-assisted decisions.

(70)

 COM(2022) 212 final, Home - BIK Portal (betterinternetforkids.eu) .

(71)

Directive 2016/2102, OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, p. 1-15.

(72)

  EDMO – United against disinformation .

(73)

  Creative Europe - Culture and Creativity (europa.eu) .

(74)

Regulation 2021/818, OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 34-60, Preamble (2) and (61).

(75)

  The 'News Initiative' | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu) .

(76)

The European Media Freedom Act aims to make it easier for media services to operate across the EU’s internal borders and to allow journalists and media to exercise their tasks in full independence; Regulation 2024/1083, OJ L, 2024/1083, 17.4.2024.

(77)

  Third generation of EU-supported Journalism Partnerships ready to help the news sector | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu) .

(78)

  Multimedia Actions | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu) .

(79)

  Europe Beyond Access - Disability Arts International . The ongoing project builds on the first generation of Europe Beyond Access, which ran from 2018 to 2023.

(80)

Regulation 2021/817, OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, Recital 28.

(81)

In the FRA online consultation conducted through the Fundamental Rights Platform, under Question 2 (“Over the past five years, has your organisation applied for / received funding from EU programmes/funds?”), 39% of the responding CSOs indicated having applied for and received Erasmus+ funding.

(82)

Regulation 2021/817, OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, Recital 64.

(83)

The Erasmus+ projects results platform identifies 605 projects with a focus on the broad area of fundamental rights and the rule of law since the start of the current Erasmus+ programme in 2021.

(84)

Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2024, p. 180.

(85)

Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2024, p. 226.

(86)

  European universities initiative .

(87)

These include a Jean Monnet Chair at Spain’s National University of Distance Education on ‘Integration through EU Fundamental Rights’ (2022-2025), and several Jean Monnet Modules at institutions such as the University of Ljubljana on the ‘Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union: An Anthropological Perspective’ (2024-2027), eCampus University in Italy on ‘History of EU Values and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union’ (2022-2025), the University of Lisbon on ‘Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law as European Values in a Global World after the Conference on the Future of Europe’ (2022-2025), the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens on ‘Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Protection in the EU’ (2023-2026) and the University of Salerno on ‘Activating EU Rights: Past and Present of Fundamental Human Rights’ (2022-2025).

(88)

Jean Monnet Modules at the University of Maribor on ‘Fundamental Rights in EU Business Law and Policy’ (2022-2025), the University of Turin on ‘Fundamental Rights in Europe: Enhancing cultural sensitivity for Inclusiveness’ (2023-2026), the Catholic University of Louvain on ‘Clinics on EU Digital Rights, Law, and Design’ (on fundamental rights in the online environment) (2022-2025), and the University of Osijek on ‘European Union and Gender Equality’ (2023-2026), and the Jean Monnet Chair on ‘European Green Rights: Reshaping Fundamental Rights for Next Generations at the University Suor Orsola Benincasa in Naples (2022-2025).

(89)

Such as the Jean Monnet Chair on ‘EU Standards on Freedom of Expression and Information’ at Sumy State University in Ukraine (2023-2026).

(90)

  ACT Project (project-act.eu) .

(91)

Implementation guidelines - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2021, Implementation guidelines - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy - Erasmus+ (europa.eu) . The Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2024 also highlights that it ‘is at the heart of the Programme to come closer to those with fewer opportunities’, referring to “people who, for economic, social, cultural, geographical or health reasons, due to their migrant background, or for reasons such as disability or educational difficulties or for any other reason, including a reason that could give rise to discrimination under Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, face obstacles that prevent them from having effective access to opportunities under the Programme”. Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2024, p. 4.

(92)

A budget cut in 2023 of EUR 2.1 billion was made in the context of the MFF midterm review. The budget includes EUR 5.4 billion from the Next Generation Europe instrument to support the green and digital recovery from the COVID crisis.

(93)

The programme also contributes to the application of the right to respect for private life, the protection of personal data, the physical and mental integrity of a person, non-discrimination and to the need to ensure protection of the environment and high levels of human health protection as enshrined in the Charter, see Article 19(1) Regulation 2021/695, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1-68.

(94)

See Annex I of the Council Decision 2021/764, OJ L 167I, 12.5.2021, p. 1-80.

(95)

  Flexible Approaches to Support Health through financing | FLASH | Project | Fact sheet | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission (europa.eu) .  

(96)

  Creating a safer space for children online - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(97)

  adVANced technoloGical solutions coupled with societal-oriented Understanding and AwaReness for Disrupting trafficking in human beings | VANGUARD | Project | Fact sheet | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission (europa.eu) .  

(98)

  The European Biodiversity Partnership | Biodiversa-plus | Project | Fact sheet | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission (europa.eu) .  

(99)

  CAP funds - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(100)

The implementation of CAP 2023-2027 has started only recently and first results can be expected early 2026.

(101)

Social conditionality relates to the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive (EU) 2019/1152, and two occupational safety and health Directives (Framework Directive 89/391/EEC and Directive 2009/104/EC). The mechanism will rely on systems in place under the EU’s social legislation. National authorities need to report to the national Agricultural Paying Agencies on the results and possible sanctions for any follow-up for CAP payments. Member States need to ensure that the mechanism is in place from 2025 at the latest. Six Member States already implement the mechanism (France, Austria, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain and Portugal).

(102)

  The European Biodiversity Partnership | Biodiversa-plus | Project | Fact sheet | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission (europa.eu) .  

(103)

The RRF is a temporary funding instrument set up in 2021 to mitigate the economic and social impact of the pandemic by financing reforms and investments; Regulation 2021/241, OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17-7.

(104)

  Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard (europa.eu) .

(105)

The European Commission provides technical expertise to Member States to design and implement reforms. See  Technical Support Instrument (TSI) (europa.eu).

(106)

 Commission Delegated Regulation 2021/1078 of 14 April 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and of the Council by setting out the investment guidelines for the InvestEU Fund.

(107)

At programme level, at least 30% of the aggregate volume of financing and investment operations should contribute to climate objectives and at least 60% of the aggregate volume of financing and investment operations on climate and environmental objectives under the Sustainable Infrastructure window, as set out in Article 8(8) of the InvestEU Regulation for the EU compartment.

(108)

In accordance with Article 9 CPR, Member States and the Commission shall ensure respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter in the implementation of the funds.

(109)

AMIF aims to contribute to the efficient management of migration flows, to strengthen and develop the common policy on asylum and the common immigration policy. More details on AMIF – European Commission (Europa.eu).

(110)

ISF aims to contribute to a high level of security in the Union, in particular by preventing and combating terrorism and radicalisation, serious and organised crime, and cybercrime. More details at Internal security funds - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(111)

BMVI aims to ensure effective border management at the Union’s external borders, a high level of internal security within the Union and the free movement of persons. More details at Internal security funds Border Management and Visa Instrument - European Commission (europa.eu).

(112)

Under the AMIF, the Commission has supported projects involving about 1,800,000 third country nationals for the 2019-2023 programming period in the framework of the Common European Asylum System, of which almost 200.000 vulnerable persons. Under the BMVI, the Commission supports cooperation for enhancing the European Border and Coast Guard, including the implementation of their Fundamental Rights Strategy ( Fundamental Rights Strategy (latest version) (europa.eu) ).

(113)

Funding from the ISF has contributed to safeguarding children’s rights in the context of child sexual abuse, as well as rights of online users, including privacy.

(114)

More details at EU Funding & Tenders Portal (europa.eu) . See also the 2024 Call for proposals in the field of trafficking in human beings following the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021-2025, COM/2021/171.

(115)

 See IMPROV-EU-project and Rightlines project.

(116)

  Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education, CSAPE 2022–2024 project - Pelastakaa Lapset .

(117)

ESF+ supports the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights by contributing to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies The ESF+ supports economic, territorial and social cohesion in the EU –by reducing disparities between Member States and regions.

(118)

ERDF aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion by correcting imbalances between regions and enabling investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and social Europe.

(119)

  Inforegio - The e-Schools project moves Croatian children and teachers towards digital education (europa.eu) .

(120)

  ARS | Algarve (min-saude.pt) .

(121)

The hearings with Roma and pro-Roma CSOs were organised in February 2023 and included CSOs from Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

(122)

Regulation No 1303/2013, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, 320-469. See in particular Article 19 2014-2020 CPR.

(123)

See Annex III CPR for an overview of the HECs.

(124)

See Annex IV CPR for an overview of the TECs.

(125)

Article 15(4) and (5) CPR.

(126)

Article 8 CPR.

(127)

Online consultation through the Fundamental Rights Platform, Questions 8 and 9: “Are you aware of the fundamental rights obligations in EU funding?” and “Does you organisation work on ensuring the fundamental rights compliance of the use of EU funds?”.

(128)

In Belgium, Germany, Malta and the Netherlands, the equality body is invited to observe various monitoring committees; in Cyprus, the Ombudsperson is included in the monitoring committee in an advisory and independent role without voting rights; in Greece, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights participates with voting rights in the monitoring committees; in Croatia and Portugal, the Ombudsperson is involved in various monitoring committees; in Ireland, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is invited in the Ireland’s Partnership Agreement monitoring committee and is the monitoring committees to monitor the adherence to the Charter.

(129)

In Bulgaria, the Commission for Protection against Discrimination is represented in all the bodies of the EU funds that advise and take decisions on the preparation and implementation of all operational programmes; in Czechia, the Ombudsperson is invited to the Council for European Union Funds, which is a permanent super-ministerial expert and advisory body of the government providing substantial coordination of all EU funds; in Greece, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights is selected as the competent body to ensure the fulfilment of the Charter HEC, provides assistance to the involved authorities, and monitors and assures the compatibilities of the procedures and individual actions with the Charter; in Croatia, the Ombudsperson, amongst other things, organised a national diagnostic workshop, gathering representatives of the managing authorities, coordinating authority, CSOs, ombuds institutions in Croatia as well as other governmental bodies with human rights remit, including a national Charter focal point to discuss challenges and way forward in relation to the EU funds and the Charter; in Ireland, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission worked closely with the managing authorities to develop a ‘guidance tool’, an ‘EU funds checklist’, a ‘reporting template’, and a ‘reporting checklist’ and delivers trainings.

(130)

The Commission and the Member State jointly manage the funding, EU funding by management mode (europa.eu) .

(131)

Online consultation through the Fundamental Rights Platform, Questions 11: “What are your challenges in working on the issue of fundamental rights compliance of EU funds?”. See also FRA Report, EU funds: Ensuring compliance with fundamental rights | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) , 19 December 2023.

(132)

Belgian equality body, Cypriot ombudsperson, Croat ombudsperson, German NHRI, Maltese equality body, Portuguese NHRI, Slovak NHRI.

(133)

See FRA Report, EU funds: Ensuring compliance with fundamental rights | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) , 19 December 2023.

(134)

Contributions by ENNHRI.

(135)

For instance, Cypriot ombudsperson.

(136)

For instance, Maltese equality body.

(137)

Article 8(2), second subparagraph CPR.

(138)

Examples of the actions are networking, strenghtening the social dialogue and activities undertaken by social partners.

(139)

Article 9 Regulation 2021/1057, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21-59.

(140)

Portuguese NHRI, Czech Ombudsperson.

(141)

Belgian equality body, Croat ombudsperson, Portuguese NHRI, Slovak NHRI, ENNHRI.

(142)

 Slovak National Centre for Human Rights: The role of national bodies with a human rights remit in ensuring fundamental rights compliance of EU funds – Slovakia .

(143)

  Application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the course of implementation of projects financed by EU funds (brpo.gov.pl) .

(144)

  ECHOFunds – Enhancing Charter Compliance of EU Funds – LBI für Grund- und Menschenrechte (lbg.ac.at) .

(145)

When submitting the programmes to the Commission for approval, Poland and Cyprus indicated that they did not comply with the Charter HEC and the programmes were adopted with the Charter HEC marked as unfulfilled. Poland and Cyprus respectively submitted on 17 and 25 January 2024 an official request to consider the Charter HEC as fulfilled, including a revised self-assessment and a justification for its fulfilment. The Commission confirmed that the Charter HEC was fulfilled on 29 February 2024 for Poland and on 19 April 2024 for Cyprus (AMIF and BMVI), enabling the reimbursement of related expenditure from that moment on.

(146)

In particular, regarding the implementation in Hungary of certain specific objectives of three Cohesion programmes and of the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund respectively. While progress was made in the area of judicial independence and other institutional and procedural arrangements, serious risks with a concrete and direct impact on the compliance with the Charter in the implementation of certain specific objectives remain unresolved in particular, regarding the inviolability of human dignity (Article 1), the right to private and family life (Article 7), the right to freedom of expression and information (Article 11), the right to non-discrimination (Article 21), as well as academic freedom (Article 13) and to the right to asylum (Article 18) (state of play August 2024).

(147)

In accordance with Article 41 CPR.

(148)

In accordance with Article 38 CPR.

(149)

Regulation 2018/1046, OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1-222.

(150)

Authorising officers can take measures when a breach of EU values is identified which can be qualified as grave professional misconduct or a breach of the beneficiary’s contractual obligations. The Financial Regulation has been amended with further provisions, see Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast) . The recast includes a general reference to the obligation for the Commission and Member States to respect EU values and the Charter when implementing the EU budget, and a ground of exclusion referring to incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence against a group of persons or a member of a group or similar activities that are contrary to the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU.

(151)

  EDES - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(152)

See, for instance, the Horizon Europe model grant agreement .

(153)

The authorising officer can reduce the final grant if irregularities, fraud or breach of an obligation are identified. See Article 131 of the Financial Regulation.

(154)

The budget of the programme for the current MFF is EUR 181 million; Union Anti-Fraud Programme (UAFP) - European Commission (europa.eu) .

(155)

  Home | Nonincrimina .

(156)

Regulation 2021/692, OJ L 156, 5.5.2021, p. 1-20.

(157)

CERV Application Form, 2022, ethics and values.

(158)

Specific rules are set out in the Guide for National Agencies (Annex VI to the Contribution Agreement).

(159)

Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2024, p. 11.

(160)

Regulation 2021/695, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1-68.

(161)

  Horizon Europe General Model Grant Agreement .  

(162)

It includes the ethics review procedure, conducted before the start of the project, as well as ethics checks, reviews and audits during the project. Proposals are required to conduct ethics self-assessments starting with the completion of an ethics issues table.

(163)

See the online document: “ How to complete your ethics self-assessment ”. Also: “ Identifying serious and complex ethics issues in EU-funded research ”; “ Ethics and data protection ” and “ Ethics in Social Sciences and Humanities ”.

(164)

Grant applications are assessed by a panel composed of staff members and external independent experts. Shortlisted applicants must submit financial documents and complete a financial declaration detailing how the funds will be spent.

(165)

 Online consultation through the Fundamental Rights Platform, Question 1” What were the three most important funding sources for your organisation’s fundamental rights work in 2019-2024?” Other sources were funding from private foundations (13%) and membership fees (11%). 25% of respondents provided no answer.

(166)

Report on key findings from FRA's civic space consultation covering 2023, figure 18, p. 17, see report-key-findings-fra-civic-space-consultation-covering-2023.pdf (europa.eu) .

(167)

Online consultation through the Fundamental Rights Platform, Question 3: “What do you consider the main added value of the European Union’s funding for fundamental rights?”

(168)

Report on key findings from FRA’s civic space consultation covering 2023, figure 24, pp. 21-22, report-key-findings-fra-civic-space-consultation-covering-2023.pdf (europa.eu) .

(169)

 See Frauenprojektförderungen - Bundeskanzleramt Österreich .

(170)

Funding is also made available for projects on environmental protection, including on environmental damage prevention and national and regional environmental education projects promoting sustainable development. Projects on the promotion of health and social welfare can benefit from the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) grants.

(171)

  gov - Minister Joe O’Brien announces Ireland Against Racism funding call (www.gov.ie) . Similarly, in Spain, fundamental rights relevant subsidies are granted by the Ministry of Equality, which supports initiatives linked to the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and tackling gender-based violence and human trafficking. Each ministry is required to approve a plan detailing the subsidies to be granted by the ministry ( https://transparencia.gob.es/transparencia/transparencia_Home/index/PublicidadActiva/Contratos/PlanesSubvenciones.html?imprimir=1 ). In Bulgaria, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities issues funding carried out on the basis of a special methodology for projects to rehabilitate and integrate people with disabilities ( https://ahu.mlsp.government.bg/portal/page/86 ).

(172)

  Likrat: Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien (ikg-wien.at) ; Home - Simon Wiesenthal Prize (wiesenthalpreis.at) .

(173)

 Sweden also supports the work of anti-dicrimination agencies at the local level. The services’ geographical spread across the country needs to be taken into account as a granting criteria. Government ordinances mandate the funding of projects on promoting and protecting fundamental rights. See e.g. Ordinance (2002:989) ( Regeringskansliets rättsdatabaser (gov.se) ).

(174)

 Grants awarded at regional and local level are also included in the National Subsidies Database containing all calls for proposals ( SNPSAP (hacienda.gob.es) ).

(175)

As reported by Denmark, Croatia and France.

(176)

A new article was introduced through the law of 23 December 2022 concerning the State revenue and expenditure budget for the financial year 2023 to facilitate funding for projects in the field of human rights in Luxembourg. Seven projects were selected for the call for projects 2023 ( Appel à projets 2023 - Promouvoir les droits humains - Projets sélectionnés - Ministère de la Justice // Le gouvernement luxembourgeois ).

(177)

Similarly, in Austria, projects on facilitating access to the labour market by the Roma are implemented by Roma NGOs. Denmark funds CSOs to implement action plans, strategies and policy initiatives at national, regional and local levels. In Croatia, funding is provided to associations of persons with disabilities and cultural institutions for making cultural content more accessible. In Sweden, the government provides grants explicitly aimed at supporting civil society (see Ordinance (2021:227)), and grants funding to pensioners’ organisations, who support their members in several areas (Ordinance (2003:752)).

(178)

  Hannah Arendt Initiative (hannah-arendt-initiative.de) . The initiative is funded by the German Foreign Office and the German Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media and implemented in cooperation with Deutsche Welle Academy, the European Fund for Journalism in Exile, MICT – Media in Cooperation and Transition and the European Center for Press and Media Freedom and others.

(179)

Austria, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

(180)

 The State Council of Social Action NGOs is furthermore mandated to ensure the exchange of information with the state administration on NGO funding in the social sector ( Plataforma de ONG de Acción Social | Convenios y Alianzas. Alianzas estatales (plataformaong.org) ).

(181)

 Based on the provisions of the Government Emergency Ordinance No. 122/2022, art. 5, the Ministry of Investments and European Projects coordinates the communication and dissemination of public information related to accessing the external funding ( Oportunități de finanțare UE (gov.ro) ).

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In total, more than 30% of the organisations responding to the FRA’s civic space consultation reported having suffered from politically motivated funding cuts in 2023 (See Report on key findings from

FRA's civic space consultation covering 2023 , figure 11, p. 9) and in 2022 (See FRA 2023, Protecting civil society - update 2023 , figure 5, p. 28).

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  Report on key findings from FRA's civic space consultation covering 2023 , figure 13 and figure 15, pp. 12 and 14.

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Online consultation through the Fundamental Rights Platform, Question 7: “What are your main challenges with national funding for fundamental rights issued by your Member State?”.

(185)

As reported for instance by Croatia, Italy, Sweden.

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E.g. the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme.

(187)

  776-lista-proiecte-apel-1-ro-sanatate.pdf (eeagrants.ro) .

(188)

  Barnahus v Sloveniji (skupni projekt Evropske unije in Sveta Evrope) ; Improving the juvenile justice systems and strengthening the education and training of penitentiary staff in Slovenia.

(189)

Contributions were received from ENNHRI and Equinet.

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Charter strategy, pp. 9, 11.

(191)

  ENNHRI-Statement-on-NHRIs-Monitoring-Fundamental-Rights-Compliance-Of-EU-Funds.pdf . 

(192)

Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles), General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993.

(193)

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (FADA).

(194)

  Antidiskriminierungsstelle - Homepage - Der Link war falsch, die Adresse ist die richtige! ; General Act on Equal Treatment (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz – AGG) (gesetze-im-internet.de) .

(195)

Strategy Statement 2022-2024 - IHREC - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission .

(196)

 Funded from the CERV call CERV-2022-CHAR-LITI. The project was implemented from January 2023 to June 2024; Rooting for Rights - aditus foundation .

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  Supporting National Human Rights Institutions in monitoring fundamental rights and the fundamental rights aspects of the rule of law | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (europa.eu) ; Strengthening NHRIs to advance EU common values and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: outcomes of FRA Conference on NHRIs - ENNHRI .

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See 3.8.2. above.

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 Contribution of the Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia to the targeted consultations conducted in support of this report, p. 5. The 2024 Rule of Law Report, Country chapter on the rule of law situation in Croatia, p. 31, notes that according to the government, in 2023, funding trends shifted from short-term support towards multiannual systematic and continuous financing. Some CSOs nevertheless referred to the increasing administrative burden in applying for funds, as well as challenges in the prioritisation of funding.

(200)

 Contribution of the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights to the targeted consultations conducted in support of this report, p. 4. The 2024 Rule of Law Report, Country chapter on the rule of law situation in Slovakia, p. 35, notes that the environment for CSOs has deteriorated, particularly for CSOs overseeing state activities or working in the area of human rights. Measures have been adopted to discontinue public financing to certain CSOs, notably LGBTIQ organisations, and activities such as the fight against disinformation, or for the protection of human rights.

(201)

According to Philea, there are over 186.000 philanthropic organisations in Europe. While no accurate data is available on the funding they provide in the area of fundamental rights, the total annual funding provision is estimated to be at EUR 54.5 billion.

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Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Development Bank, EEA and Norway Grants Financial Mechanism Office, European Investment Bank, United Nations Human Rights Office, US AID, Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea) and Stiftung Mercator participated in the consultations.

(203)

Report on key findings from FRA's civic space consultation covering 2023 , figure 18, p. 17.

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  Home | EEA Grants .

(205)

Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

(206)

  Protocol 38C on the EEA Financial Mechanism (2014-2021) , Article 1(2). Also Council greenlights agreements on the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms for 2021-2028 - Consilium (europa.eu) .

(207)

The EEA / Norway Grants contribution, referring to funding issued from the “Culture, Civil Society, Good Governance and Fundamental Rights and Freedoms” priority.

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The EEA / Norway Grants contribution, referring to funding issued from the “Social Inclusion, Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction” priority, which also provides funding to promote the fulfilment of the highest attainable standard of health, including for children and for people in vulnerable situations, as well as for those from deprived areas. Under the “Justice and Home Affairs” priority, the EEA and Norway Grants has supported projects on enabling asylum seekers to claim international protection, the improvement of correctional services in line with international and European standards, international police cooperation, as well as projects to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary and to act against domestic and gender-based violence.

(209)

  The projects helping Roma Communities get out of slums | EEA Grants . 

(210)

  U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid.gov) . 

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The USAID contribution. Support includes technical and financial assistance to build organisational capacities and support financial diversification, engagement and public communications, coalition building, advocacy on democratic reforms as well as reforms to improve the overall operating environment for civil society. USAID also increasingly supports informal initiatives and civic movements in countries such as Armenia, Ukraine and Moldova. It has provided advocacy training to groups in vulnerable situations in Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia, and supported LGBTI+ communities.

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Contribution by the OHCHR.

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The CEB aims to target groups in vulnerable situations, children, older people, and people with disabilities. It provides project grants in all Member States except Austria, which is not a member. The CEB screens its proposals, seeking to identify vulnerable beneficiaries for future monitoring.

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Contribution by the EEA/Norway Grants; contribution by the OHCHR, both referring to the application of a participatory methodology to the development of project management and design of projects, and support to potential grantees in the development of projects.

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Contribution by EEA/Norway Grants, who report having organised sessions on how to apply, increased outreach to underserved geographies by providing grants with no co-financing requirement, organising sessions on how to apply, and having organised dedicated calls on specific topics, such as Roma inclusion and empowerment.

(216)

Contribution by USAid; contribution by Philea, p. 6. Philea notes that philanthropic organisations offer other support than grants, such as support for organisational development and networking, as well as prizes and awards.

(217)

 Report on key findings from FRA's civic space consultation covering 2023, figure 25, p. 23, report-key-findings-fra-civic-space-consultation-covering-2023.pdf (europa.eu) . Types of funding considered relevant by CSOs include funding for advocacy with policy makers, organisational development, as well as for organisational development, public advocacy and campaigning, capacity development of their own staff and volunteers, and watchdog activities.

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Contribution by USAid.

(219)

Contribution by EEA/Norway Grants, referring to the Active Citizens Fund.

(220)

Contribution by EEA/Norway Grants.

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Contribution by the EIB.

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Contribution by USAid.

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Contribution by Philea, p. 6.

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Contribution by Philea, pp. 6-10. According to Philea, more dialogue is needed between public and philanthropic funders in various policy fields including climate, democracy, equality and development partnerships. Philea nurtures a diverse and inclusive ecosystem of foundations, philanthropic organisations and networks working for the common good.

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Contribution by OHCHR. EU-OHCHR contribution agreements concluded in support of the promotion and protection of human rights in Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cambodia, Colombia, Georgia, Guatemala, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Niger, the occupied Palestinian territory, Peru, the Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. The OHCHR It also cooperates with the EU by co-organising public events and providing donor recognition on social media.

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Together with CERV, US AID funds the Engaging Central Europe project, which aims to empower civil society to protect, revitalize, and renew democracy in the heart of Europe; Engaging Central Europe | German Marshall Fund of the United States (gmfus.org) .

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In addition, the EIB cooperates with National Promotional Banks of EU Member States to support projects in the field of fundamental rights, such as on social housing in France and, together with the CEB, on vulnerable groups in the Western Balkans. Similarly, the CEB participates to EU funding platforms to promote combinations of different funding sources to raise the financial sustainability of the projects. It also partners with other international financial institutions for co-financing and the sharing of best practices.

(228)

  Supporting civil society organisations and human rights defenders through funding . See chapter 1.

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First meeting took place in June 2024 following an initiative from Philea.

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https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2024/Action-Plan-EN_2020-2027.pdf (extended to 2027 with Council Conclusions of 27.05.2024 (ST 9508 2024 INIT)).

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  THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development (un.org) .

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Such as the International Criminal Court and the OHCHR.

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Relevant actions are funded from the “Global Challenges Thematic Programme”.

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Relevant actions are funded from the “Civil Society Organisations Programme”. Human rights relevant actions are also supported from NDICI’s rapid response pillar.

(235)

Where serious fundamental rights concerns are identified, funding can be suspended or terminated. Delegations currently meeta target of 15% of geographic programmes reporting a contribution on human rights.

(236)

The initiative responds to all forms of violence against women and girls, with a focus on domestic violence, gender-based violence and harmful practices, femicide, trafficking in human beings and sexual and economic exploitation.

(237)

Funding is issued from the NDICI-GE thematic programmes, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance and the NDICI-Global Europe’s regional and bilateral envelopes.

(238)

  EU Projects with the Council of Europe | EEAS (europa.eu) .

(239)

For project examples, see Annex accompanying this report.

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COM(2022) 716.

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FRA survey, Q4.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 10.10.2024

COM(2024) 456 final

ANNEX

to the

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions

Funding to promote, protect and enforce fundamental rights


2024 Annual report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

ANNEX

Examples of projects relevant to the promotion of rights set out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

through funding under EU programmes

TITLE I

DIGNITY

Article 1

Human dignity

PRO HUMAN BIOLAW: Biolaw as Global Tool For Human Rights Protection	ERASMUS+	https://www.biolaw.eu https://www.biolaw.eu/
The aim of the project is to provide tools for specialists to enable them to combine scientific knowledge with the requirement to respect human dignity. A consortium of 6 Universities brings together institutions and professionals to deepen and consolidate teaching and research in the field of Bio-law from the perspective of human rights.

Article 4

Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

United Against Torture: Consortium covering the whole spectrum of anti-torture work	FFPA	https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/united-against-torture_en
A consortium of six CSOs brings together stakeholders to support the implementation of the EU’s anti-torture commitments. This is achieved by building partnerships and pushing for more organisations to collaborate.

European NPM Forum: Support to Council of Europe for EU network of prison monitoring bodies	Justice Programme	https://rm.coe.int/project-summary-european-npm-forum-v/1680b048ec
The project aims at enhancing detention conditions at national, regional and international levels, including through enhanced judicial cooperation within the EU and by supporting the European National Preventive Mechanism Forum. This involves the development of a common understanding of the standards on the treatment of detained persons in the EU, the Council of Europe region, and beyond, including the Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/681 of 8 December 2022 on procedural rights of suspects and accused persons subject to pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions.

Article 5

Prohibition of slavery and forced labour

VoiceOver: Victims of trafficking in human beings support and Empowerment by means of a survivor leaders Engagement model	AMIF	http://www.unescochair-iuav.it/voiceover/
The project builds the capacity of organisations to involve trafficking survivors in their actions and to support recovery by recognizing their role as experts. It will provide anti-trafficking organizations with knowledge and tools to engage survivors as partners.

TRAFFICKER: Human Traffickers - The social circuits of human trafficking and transnational, organised crime	Horizon Europe	https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101068833
The project will investigate the business operations and social relationships of human traffickers. It relies on fieldwork on the origin and destination countries of traffickers. Focusing on the city of Galati in Romania and prisons in Lisbon, it explains how traffickers carry out human trafficking and how criminal networks make their business transnational, the role of social relationships, and the lives of traffickers during and after imprisonment.

ANTtc: EU-CoE Joint Project Supporting Malta in the design and implementation of a new Anti-Trafficking Strategy	TSI	https://www.coe.int/en/web/anti-human-trafficking/malta1
The project contributes to the policy reform for combating trafficking in human beings in Malta. The European Commission and the Council of Europe provide technical support to the authorities to design and implement a new Anti-trafficking Strategy and Action Plan.

TITLE II

FREEDOMS

Article 6

Right to liberty and security

PRE-TRIAD: Alternative PRE-TRIAl Detention measures: Judicial awareness and cooperation towards the realisation of common standards	Justice Programme	https://www.pretrial-detention.org/ https://prisonsystems.eu/projects/pre-triad/
The project aims to promote judicial cooperation between Member States by making policymakers and stakeholders aware of the challenges linked to pre-trial detention. It aims to work for the establishment of common standards on fundamental rights protection in pre-trial detention (and alternative measures) and promote the implementation of Council Framework Decision 2009/829/JHA.

Article 7

Respect for private and family life

COPE network: Children of Prisoners Europe	CERV	https://childrenofprisoners.eu/
COPE is a pan-European network working with and on behalf of children with imprisoned parents. Its mission is to safeguard their social, political and judicial inclusion, and of the parents. It also fosters the exchange of knowledge on good practices and increases the understanding of the psychological, emotional, and social development of these children.

Article 8

Protection of personal data

GDPR4CHLDRN – Ensuring data protection in hobbies	CERV	https://tieke.fi/en/projects/gdpr4chldrn/
The project aims to provide information on the processing of personal data to associations that organise leisure activities for children, as well as to the children and young people themselves and their parents. One of the main goals of the project is to improve children’s understanding of the GDPR and to equip clubs and associations that interact with them with a step-by-step toolkit for applying the GDPR.

ARC II: Awareness Raising Campaign for SMEs-	CERV	https://arc-rec-project.eu/introducing-arc/
The project aims to increase knowledge and understanding among SMEs on their obligations arising from the GDPR and the national IT and HR legal frameworks on data protection. The main goal of the project is to develop an innovative and freely accessible digital tool on the GDPR that is tailor-made to the specific needs of SMEs. The tool will be based on open-source code so that other national data protection authorities could use it by adapting it to their national legislation and language.

Article 9

Right to marry and right to found a family

DEMFAM: Democratising the Family? Gender Equality, Parental Rights and Child Welfare in Contemporary Global History	Horizon Europe	https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101087820
In today’s rapidly changing world, hierarchical family structures are giving way to more egalitarian ideals. The project explores parental rights in contemporary settings, where issues of gender, sexuality and family intersect with national and religious identities, liberalism, and democracy. The project spans different political-economic and legal systems, providing a unique global perspective on the transformation of gender and the family.

Article 10

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

NOA: Networks Overcoming Antisemitism	CERV	https://www.noa-project.eu/
The project aims to tackle rising antisemitism in Europe by evaluating Member States’ policies and helping them to develop national action plans to prevent and address antisemitism. The partners represent 756 affiliates, who aim to create impact from grassroots level upwards by developing educational tools and training for communities, sports clubs, schools and authorities, as well as an online hub.

ENMA: European Network on Monitoring Antisemitism	CERV	https://enma.eu/
ENMA is a coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish CSOs, which aims to provide internationally comparable data on antisemitic incidents. It aims to build a reporting infrastructure that will serve Jewish communities and affected persons. It also serves as a gateway to data on antisemitism for Jewish communities, decision makers, academics, and journalists.

Article 11

Freedom of expression and information

Facing Facts Network: Generate holistic, multi-stakeholder approaches to hate crime monitoring, response and prevention	CERV	https://www.facingfacts.eu/
The network works to transform the understandings of and responses to hate crime and hate speech in Europe and beyond for the benefit of victims, communities and societies. It delivers training courses on an eLearning platform, provides research outcomes and advocates at the EU-level for effective victim support, protection and justice.

TITAN: Fighting Disinformation with Critical Thinking & AI	Horizon Europe	https://www.titanthinking.eu/
The project aims to create an AI-based citizen coaching ecosystem against disinformation. A chatbot guides citizens in probing the factual correctness and reliability of online content. The chatbot will operate based on fact checking processes and a human-centred approach.

MFRR: The Europe-wide rapid response mechanism to detect, answer and prevent violations of press and media freedom	CREA	https://www.mfrr.eu/
The project tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in the Member States and Candidates. It provides legal and practical support, advocacy, and information to protect media workers.

Article 12

Freedom of assembly and of association

Catalyst of Change	CERV	https://www.nhc.nl/catalyst-of-change-supporting-a-vibrant-civil-society-in-europe/
The project contributes to an enabling environment for civil society in RO, BG, HR, SI, and PT. It will allow CSOs working on women's rights, environmental justice and anti-corruption to work more effectively for the promotion of EU values, be more resilient to threats, and to respond to concerns affecting civic space. This pursues better protection, promotion, and acknowledgment of fundamental rights and contributes to the respect for the EU values.

ImpactAS: Impact Acceleration of Slovak CSOs	CERV	https://www.nadaciapontis.sk/projekty/impact-lab/impactas-impact-lab/
The project raises the capacity of CSOs to work at local, regional and national levels and raise the innovation potential of the non-profit sector. Incubator and accelerator programs and financial support help develop impactful and resilient CSOs and support them in building partnerships. The primary target group are 70 CSOs in Slovakia. The majority of the supported organisations will be grass-roots organizations from remote regions.

PROTEUS: Protecting EU Values and Fundamental Rights through Public Participation and Civil Society Assistance in Central Europe	CERV	https://www.gmfus.org/proteus-0
Accelerating democratic demise, polarization and illiberalism undermine civil society. To counter negative trends, the consortium proposes to protect, promote and raise awareness on EU values and fundamental rights. The project will provide grants and capacity-building to local CSOs and increase their fundraising, management and advocacy capacities with a focus on civic actors in peripheral and rural areas.

Article 13

Freedom of the arts and sciences

Keychange: Global network and movement working towards a total restructure of the music industry in reaching full gender equality	CREA	https://www.keychange.eu/about-us
Keychange is a global network working towards full gender equality in the music industry. It consists of partners from 12 countries, working proactively to make this change.
Explore Sciencenter: How to make young people discover science	ESF+		https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/how-make-young-people-discover-science
The project offers after-school and holiday courses for young people aged 6 to 14, fostering discovery. It promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and seeks to collaborate with schools, universities, and companies. It aims to become an extracurricular research and experimentation hub that provides resources and support.

Article 14

Right to education

Further Studies Made Affordable+: Making studies more affordable for Maltese students	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/making-studies-more-affordable-maltese-students
The objective of the scheme is to support the development of human capital and to meet the financing needs of students. Eligible students receive support for tuition fees, accommodation costs, subsistence expenses and other expenses to further their studies in Malta and abroad. The initiative has thus far empowered nearly 530 Maltese students to pursue their academic goals, irrespective of financial background.

Support for enhancing the equity of the education system in Romania	TSI	https://www.unicef.org/eca/reports/enhancing-equity-education-through-preventing-and-combating-school-segregation
Implemented in cooperation with UNICEF, the project improves the access to education by preventing and combating school segregation. It supports the entry into force of a national order on the prohibition of school segregation. It will build the capacity of the Ministry of Education to promote the equality of education by monitoring, preventing, and combating school segregation.

Local School Support Contract: Early support ensures kids stay in school	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/early-support-ensures-kids-stay-school
The project aims to prevent early school leaving in France by supporting pupils with study methods and fostering enthusiasm for learning through small group work. The project educates parents on how to support education, ensuring that its benefits extend beyond the classroom. By cultivating skills and attitudes, the project helps set pupils up for long-term academic success and social inclusion.

Article 15

Freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work

Territoires Zéro Chômeur de Longue Durée: transforming lives and communities	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/transforming-lives-and-communities-french-territoires-zero-chomeur-de-longue-duree
The project tackles long-term unemployment by focusing on individuals who have been unemployed for over a year. It assesses their skills and aspirations and matches them with local community needs to create suitable jobs. This has revitalised local economies and provided employment for nearly 3,200 people. By collaborating with businesses, municipalities and employment bodies, the project fosters a sense of community. Initially starting in 10 territories in France, the initiative is being extended to other countries.

KNOW and DO!: Encouraging young people to keep moving forward	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/encouraging-young-people-keep-moving-forward
The project addresses the challenges young people face at the start of their working lives. It helps young jobseekers engage in education or vocational training. From 2016 to 2021, around 4,000 participants benefited from mentoring, advice, and personalised development programmes in Latvia. As part of the EU Youth Guarantee, the project aims to reduce youth unemployment and enhance labour market competitiveness.

Article 16

Freedom to conduct a business

Be an Entrepreneur: Lithuanian project helps young entrepreneurs to succeed	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/lithuanian-project-helps-young-entrepreneurs-succeed
The project addresses the challenge of starting a business by supporting unemployed young people and people with disabilities in Lithuania. It aims to provide skills and resources for entering the job market or becoming entrepreneurs. It has assisted nearly 1,400 people in finding employment or launching their businesses, and it is set to help many more.

EUSIC: European Social Innovation Competition	Horizon Europe	https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-prizes/european-social-innovation-competition_en
The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) awards three prizes for the best socially innovative projects that contribute to a more inclusive, just, and sustainable Europe. It supports innovators in developing their ideas into working solutions and facilitates the creation of a network of innovators. This prize acknowledges social innovation as a potent approach for responding to societal challenges.

Article 18

Right to asylum

ASYKNOW: Navigating the complexities of asylum knowledge	Horizon Europe	https://www.uib.no/en/asyknow/166092/about-asyknow-project
The project aims to develop tools for understanding the role of expert knowledge in asylum governance. It analyses asylum litigation cases from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. The project will provide insights into how knowledge claims gain authority, how legal strategies evolve, and how various knowledge types facilitate or challenge state power.

AIDA: the Asylum Information Database	AMIF	https://asylumineurope.org/
AIDA is a tool for gathering and analysing information on national asylum systems in Europe. The general objective is to support the correct implementation of EU asylum law and to inform policy. The AIDA database supports the provision of information on asylum systems in the Member States it covers.

Article 19

Protection in the event of removal, expulsion or extradition

IMPROV-EU: Innovating to respect the fundaMental rights of PeRsOns in Vulnerable situations crossing the EU’s external borders	BMVI	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/org-details/999999999/project/101137969/program/43251530/details
The project aims to conduct research on and streamline the implementation of the Fundamental Rights Strategy of the European Border and Coast Guard in several Member States, in particular related to persons in vulnerable situations. It will develop an implementation protocol based on best practices and disseminate findings.

MORE: Motivations, experiences and consequences of returns and readmissions policy: revealing and developing effective alternatives	Horizon Europe	https://www.moreproject-horizon.eu/
MORE is a collaborative academic initiative that examines the Returns and Readmissions policy of the EU and the United Kingdom. It examines its consequences on the lives of irregular migrants, their families, communities, and the society at large. It explores alternative approaches beyond return that tackle the structural causes of irregularity.

TITLE III

EQUALITY

Article 20

Equality before the law

RTP-AVF: Remembering the Past - Avoiding the Future	CERV	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/org-details/999999999/project/101143794/program/43251589/details
In Central and Eastern Europe, laws and hate speech campaigns target LGBTQ+ people and the Roma. The goal of the project is to build the capacity of democratic societies to protect the community and minorities from the deprivation of fundamental rights and from becoming targets of hate speech and crime. The project aims to empower communities to strive for solidarity and fight for equality, ultimately strengthening democracy overall in Europe.

Article 21

Non-discrimination

AHEAD: Against Hate speech towards Roma Community, Migrants, Ethnic minorities and Any vulnerable groups Discrimination	ERASMUS+	https://projectahead.eu/our-project/
AHEAD aims to promote non–discrimination, inclusion, tolerance, mutual and multicultural understanding and combat racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance against Roma people and communities and other ethnic minorities.​ It combines research, training, exchanges of good practices, meetings between stakeholders, CSOs and youth associations, and a dissemination campaign.

Butterfly effect: Changing attitudes to change the world	CERV	https://www.butterflyeffect-project.eu/
Led by a consortium of organisations, the project aims to address racial incidents frequently experienced by young people aged between 14 and 19 from ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities. The project focuses on capacity building for youngsters, educational communities, youth organisations and educational authorities to find new and innovative solutions and recognise that tackling hate is a responsibility of all.

Kirjava project: helps foreign-born people thrive in Finland	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/kirjava-helps-foreign-born-people-thrive-finland
The project addresses the challenges faced by foreign-born individuals in Finland, particularly those at risk of social exclusion. It provides support to help them integrate into their new communities. By offering one-to-one training, group activities, and workshops, it aims to improve language, literacy, digital, and vocational skills. This enhances employability and helps prevent isolation. To date, Kirjava has assisted over 50 people.

Article 22

Cultural, religious and linguistic diversity

ROMHERITAGE: European Itineraries of Roma Cultural Heritage	CREA	https://romheritage.eu/
The project aims to create a network of institutions, individuals and social, cultural and economic stakeholders who want to be part of the recognition and dissemination of the European Romani cultural heritage.

REACT-MEM: Rescue Memory - Activism, Arts and Public Remembrance	CERV	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/org-details/999999999/project/101143883/program/43251589/details
13 multi-disciplinary partners explore new ways of working with narratives about the past (e.g. on the ramifications of WWII, the Holocaust, totalitarian regimes, and colonial past). The project aims to bring together individuals, communities, CSOs and institutions to who, through 65 initiatives, explore the dynamics between activist movements and public memory narratives, in shaping and re-shaping the culture of remembrance in contemporary Europe.

Article 23

Equality between women and men

100 Percent - Gender equality pays off: Helping Austrian firms close the gender pay gap	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/helping-austrian-firms-close-gender-pay-gap
The project supports companies in designing transparent remuneration systems and improving opportunities for women at work. It raises awareness of the gender pay gap and demonstrates how making better use of the diversity of the workforce can promote innovation.

BUDGET IT: Building Gender Equality through gender budgeting for Institutional Transformation	Horizon Europe	https://budget-it.eu/ https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101094391
The project works towards gender balance in research institutions in Bosnia, Serbia and Turkey. Assisted by universities from Spain and Italy, the project will integrate gender+ budgeting to gender equality plans. By the end of the project, partner institutions will have produced an integrated, inclusive gender+ equality plan and gender+ budgets.

Línea Dona - Employment and Training Programme: a route back to employment for disadvantaged women	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/employment-disadvantaged-women
This project aims to support unemployed and disadvantaged women in Catalonia by providing job opportunities and training. Responding to barriers identified in a 2016 evaluation, it offers 12-month full-time work contracts alongside training in digital skills, languages, and more. The project targets women facing significant challenges, including victims of gender violence, older women, and women with disabilities.

Article 24

The rights of the child

Daphne-CHILD: Shaping tomorrow’s child protection services with children	CERV	https://eurochild.org/initiative/daphne-child-shaping-tomorrows-child-protection-services-with-children/
This three-year sub-granting and capacity building programme will support grassroot CSOs to address violence against children. It will integrate children’s views in service provision by promoting their meaningful participation.

ARICA: Assessing Risk Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse	ISF	https://www.aricaproject.eu/
The project aims to support law enforcement agencies in fighting child sexual abuse (CSAM). It develops technologies to enhance their capabilities in investigations on online CSAM. These remain free to use after the end of the project.

CADRE: Children’s Alternatives to Detention protecting their Rights in Europe	AMIF	https://www.dei-belgique.be/index.php/projets/acheves/projet-cadre.html
The project aims to promote effective alternatives to detention for migrant children. It contributes to ending the use of detention by promoting arrangements that ensure their well-being and rights under EU and international law.

Article 25

The rights of the elderly

KIFI: Day Care Centres for the Elderly	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/day-care-centres-help-older-persons-meet-day-day-needs
Working with municipalities and CSOs, KIFI centres provide hospitality and care for older persons unable to take care of themselves. Through services including nursing and recreational activities, KIFIs enable older people to live with their families and social environment, avoiding institutionalisation and exclusion. KIFI operate in 13 regions of EL.

Data-driven wellbeing service design: Improving wellbeing services for south-eastern Finland’s elderly population	ERDF	https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/Finland/improving-wellbeing-services-for-south-eastern-finlands-elderly-population
Based on research and data collection, the project established a platform for the development of wellbeing services for the elderly population of Southern Savonia. Ten new wellbeing services and two education programmes were developed, aimed at providing positive, long-term physical benefits for elderly people.

Make a wish for Vukovar: Bringing together older and unemployed women through care	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/bringing-together-older-and-unemployed-women-through-care
The project fosters the provision of mutual support to disadvantaged and older individuals in HR. It connects women facing social and employment challenges with older individuals requiring assistance. 10 women from vulnerable situations found jobs as assistants for 50 older people, enhancing social inclusion and reducing isolation. The project effectively integrates job creation with support services, improving the quality of life for both groups.

Article 26

Integration of persons with disabilities

Active and Needed: The taste of social inclusion: Lithuania’s drive to promote persons with disabilities in the workplace	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/taste-social-inclusion-lithuanias-drive-promote-people-disabilities-workplace
The project aims to tackle unemployment among persons with disabilities by identifying their strengths and guiding them to find employment opportunities. Project managers assess the needs of each participant and provide tailored services such as career guidance, soft skills development, as well as job hunting and emotional support.

Step Forward: A helping hand for families of children with disabilities	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/helping-hand-families-children-disabilities
The project provided children with developmental disabilities with psychosocial support and improved social inclusion. It aimed to reduce social prejudice by normalising attitudes among children and families with no prior experience of disabilities. It helped 70 children to access inclusive activities and therapy.

Go to school with a smile: Helping pupils with developmental disabilities realise their potential	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/helping-pupils-developmental-disabilites-realise-their-potential
The project promotes inclusive education and improves social interactions for pupils with developmental disabilities in HR. It offers support tailored to each pupil’s needs in 21 mainstream schools. By enhancing educational engagement and wellbeing, the project helps students with disabilities achieve their potential, foster independence, and build self-esteem.

TITLE IV

SOLIDARITY

Article 27

Workers' right to information and consultation within the undertaking

UMN: UnionMigrantNet and Cities Together for Integration	AMIF	https://www.unionmigrantnet.eu/
The project supported European trade union contact points, which provide information and assistance to migrants irrespective of their nationality, migration or residence status.

Civilhood: Enhancing unaccompanied minors transition to early adulthood through civic education and labour market integration	AMIF	https://civilhood.eu/
Civic education is an important vehicle for integrating migrants into the labour market, especially unaccompanied minors transitioning into adulthood. To promote their entry into their new country's work force, the project will train professionals in EL, IT, CY, SI and AT to provide them with the necessary civic skills. It is designed to promote the treatment of unaccompanied minors as rights-holders, in accordance with their best interests as children.

Article 31

Fair and just working conditions

Time2Grow: protecting care workers against burnout	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/protecting-care-workers-against-burnout
This project addresses work-related stress among care workers in BE, FI and PL. It developed methods to prevent burnout and promote wellbeing, including an HR tool and a website for employees to monitor resilience and seek support. The HR tool is ready for use in other sectors and countries.

The Cooperative Brewery in Puck: brewing new jobs for Poland’s most vulnerable	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/brewing-new-jobs-polands-most-vulnerable
This project aims to support people with intellectual disabilities by providing employment opportunities. The Cooperative Brewery helps these workers, who have struggled to find jobs, to develop traditional brewing skills as well as essential numeracy, literacy, and organisational skills, as well as business and networking skills.

T4DW: Trade for Decent Work Project	EU-ILO Partnership	https://www.ilo.org/projects-and-partnerships/projects/trade-decent-work-0
The project aims at improving the application of the ILO fundamental Conventions in EU trading partner countries through improved labour relations and working conditions.

Article 33

Family and professional life

Seminar on Work-Life Balance Directive - Equinet	CERV	https://equineteurope.org/seminar-work-life-balance-directive/
The seminar aimed to build the capacity of equality bodies for the implementation of the Work-Life Balance Directive. It provided an analysis on the Directive’s implementation and arguments for the strengthening of collaboration between labour inspectorates and equality bodies to protect parents and carers from discrimination.

RAFFAEL: Redesigning Activities in a Family Friendly Way in Viterbo’s Workplaces	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/welcome-relief-overworked-parents
This project helped 100 families to balance working life and parenthood in IT. It provided a free/of/charge hotline for arranging childcare, grocery deliveries, and making appointments, as well as offered babysitting services. During the pandemic, it offered remote homework support and helped families manage stress.

Back2Job - engineers wanted	ESF+	https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/germany/back2job-fishing-from-the-silent-reservoir-of-germanys-stem-skills
The project drew up a plan to bring women with STEM qualifications back into the workforce. It aims to lighten the professional life of women with an engineering background by providing them with a career in their respective domains.

ActiveMoms: social inclusion of women staying at home with their pre-school-age children through employment, entrepreneurship, networking and volunteering in Latvia and Estonia	ERDF	https://database.centralbaltic.eu/project/113
The project aims to promote the social inclusion of women staying at home with their pre-school-age children on the labour market by creating a model to foster their employability and involvement in entrepreneurship through an interactive ICT platform and a series of supporting events.

Article 34

Social security and social assistance

Housing First	ESF+	https://romodrom.cz/en/our-activities/housing/housing-first/
Two CSOs provided access to housing for the Roma in a region of CZ. The objective was to obtain and maintain permanent housing and improve their overall situation. Due to the project and cooperation with private landlords, housing was provided in the region, where the Roma often do not meet the conditions for municipal flats or have funds for housing.

Housing First Trieste: How an Italian finds a home in Trieste after years living on the streets of Rome	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/housing-first-italy
The project provided permanent housing and intensive support to the homeless, including those with addictions. In 2019, it offered ten apartments to 30 residents and evolved to complement traditional homeless shelters. In 2021, the project was acknowledged at the Ending Homelessness Awards for its effective approach to reintegration.

Desegregation and relocation of marginalised families in Madrid county, Spain	ERDF	https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/042f7559-fd3f-11ee-a251-01aa75ed71a1/language-en  (page 39)
The programme improved the housing situation of numerous families. The Social Housing Agency of Madrid received funding for resettlement and support programmes for families from segregated settlements, including the Roma. This enabled the purchase of 422 social housing units. The agency rented these to relocate families from segregated areas and supported them in accessing mainstream education, employment and social services.

Article 35

Health care

JACARDI: Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes	EU4Health	https://jacardi.eu/
The action will support 21 countries in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The initiative will deploy 142 pilot projects across Europe. It includes activities on improving health awareness, enhancing primary prevention among high-risk populations and outreach to people living with the diseases and their care providers, as well as on improving service pathways, self-management, data availability and labour participation.

DYNAMO: Modelling and dynamic assessment of integrated health and care pathways enhancing response capacity of health systems	Horizon Europe	https://dynamo-pcp.eu/
The project works to enable quick planning of care pathways for situations where health care systems are under threat. It builds their resilience in the EU and contributes to their ability to respond to public health threats. It will analyse how service delivery processes adapt to changes, share and integrate cross-sectoral data, and facilitate planning. It includes organisations and authorities from diverse health care systems.

Upgrade, development and implementation of prevention programmes in primary health care and local communities: 25 centres for the promotion of healthy living	ESF+	https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/25-centres-promotion-healthy-living
The project aims to improve public health and reduce health inequalities in SI. Implemented by the National Institute of Public Health, it seeks to enhance preventive services by making them more accessible and relevant to vulnerable individuals, and children, offering comprehensive interventions in health centres, and addressing chronic disease risks.

Article 36

Access to services of general economic interest

SHAPE-EU: European Affordable Housing Consortium	Single Market Programme	https://shape-affordablehousing.eu/
The goal of the project is to support social housing providers, public authorities, and SMEs in the delivery of social and affordable housing. The project focuses on renovations in the social housing sector, and promotes the use of smart and circular technologies and new approaches that are created and managed jointly with local communities.

Article 37

Environmental protection

YOUTHCLIMATEJUSTICE: Child-friendly justice for the climate crisis - post-paternalist judgments, litigation, participation	Horizon Europe	https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101088453   https://www.ucc.ie/en/youthclimatejustice/
The project examines intergenerational dynamics in the climate justice context. This will be done by examining judgments, litigation and youth participation. The project will utilise the modelling of case law data; surveys; and participatory research to theorise the linkages between children’s rights and youth climate action.

A2J EARL: Access to Justice for a greener Europe	LIFE	https://www.clientearth.org/projects/access-to-justice-for-a-greener-europe/
The project aims to improve the implementation and enforcement of environmental law in EU countries by supporting the capacities of the public to bring environmental cases to court.

FactCRICIS: European Fact-Checking Response in Climate Crises	Preparatory Action	https://efcsn.com/projects/factcricis/
The action aims to increase the capacity of fact-checking organisations to identify and debunk disinformation related to climate change and crisis situations. It will establish a resource package, combining cutting edge technological tools with climate expertise. This is designed to bolster the preparedness of European fact-checkers to respond to climate mis/disinformation and to foster cross-border collaboration.

Article 38

Consumer protection

Consumer Law Ready	Single Market programme	https://www.consumerlawready.eu/
The project trains SMEs on EU consumer law. Developed in collaboration with consumer and industry organisations, it is implemented in partnership with the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, SME United and Eurochambres. A lead trainer per Member State trains national trainers, enhancing overall knowledge. The online and offline content addresses national specificities in the national languages. The project has trained over 2500 SMEs.

ConsumerPro	Single Market programme	https://www.beuc.eu/consumer-pro-boosting-professionals-consumer-protection
The project aims to build the capacity of consumer organizations and other stakeholders to protect consumers in their respective countries. The implementation is entrusted to BEUC. Since the launch of the project in 2019, more than 100 capacity building activities have been organised and over 2000 consumer professionals from 325 organisations trained.

TITLE V

CITIZENS' RIGHTS

Article 39

Right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament

AP8: Activ8 and Particip8	CERV	https://cesie.org/en/project/ap8/
The project targets in particular young people aged 16 to 25 and education staff. It supports youth engagement and democratic participation through digital brochures and a e- learning possibilities and promotes interest in the European Parliament and the 2024 elections. The project uses innovative approaches to foster democracy and trains teaching staff.

TEA: TransEuropa Assemblies	CERV	https://euroalter.com/projects/transeuropa-assemblies/
Following the Conference on the Future of Europe, the project tested a prototype of citizens’ assemblies, organising a series of them with participants from over 15 countries. These deliberated on their priorities for the 2024 European elections. They engaged citizens from groups that are least likely to participate in the elections. Recommendations influenced the election manifestos of political parties. The project involved Members of the European Parliament and experts providing accurate information on EU initiatives.

IMMUNE 2 INFODEMIC: Immunizing citizens against dis/misinformation	CERV	https://immune2infodemic.eu/index.html
The project aims to immunize EU citizens against the dis- and misinformation. It produces instruments on digital literacy, media literacy and critical thinking and applies these in 20 events. The project targets vulnerable residents with limited knowledge on mis/disinformation, youth and seniors through a series of online and offline events. It is supported by media professionals, social media influencers and CSOs.

Article 45

Freedom of movement and of residence

EURECA: European Citizenship Accelerator	CERV	https://ecas.org/projects/european-citizenship-accelerator-eureca/
The project aims to strengthen EU citizenship and identity through citizens’ engagement, supporting the freedom of movement in the EU post-COVID, and fostering the rights of mobile EU citizens. This will be achieved through capacity building of organisations and authorities, awareness raising campaigns and policy recommendations for a more enabling environment for EU citizens’ rights.

TITLE VI

JUSTICE

Article 47

Right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial

InfoComPWDs: Information and Communication: Cornerstones of justice for victims of crime with disability	Justice Programme	https://validity.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/FINAL_ToR_International-Consultant-InfoComPWDs.pdf
Legal professionals, including judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement authorities, were provided with guidance on overcoming barriers that persons with disabilities face in accessing information and in communicating effectively with the justice system. This contributed to the enhanced implementation of the Victims’ Rights Directive.

WithYou: accompaniment of victims and witnesses in the justice system	Justice Programme	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/org-details/999999999/project/878609/program/31070247/details
The project improved the implementation of victim’s right to be accompanied during criminal proceedings by support workers. It helped to tackle secondary victimization during proceedings by promoting respect for the right of victims of crime to be accompanied, and empowered victims and witnesses to participate.

Modernisation of the justice sector in Portugal	TSI	https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/modernisation-of-the-justice-sector-in-portugal_cbde9a7a-en.html
The European Commission and the OECD support the modernisation of the justice sector in PT by assisting them in shifting towards user-centricity and the enhanced use of digital technologies and data. The project helps the implementation of the EU priorities on digital. It will reduce everyone’s barriers in accessing justice, including women’s.

Article 48

Presumption of innocence and right of defence

DigiRIGHTS: DIGItalisation of defence RIGHTS in criminal proceedings	Justice Programme	https://research.kuleuven.be/portal/en/project/3H220711
The project aims at promoting an understanding of procedural rights in the digital word in a manner that is compliant with the EU standards on fair trial rights and rights of defence. The project aims at evaluating the degree to which digitalised procedural rights are equivalent to their classic recognition. It guides the interpretation of EU rules on the rights of suspects and accused persons, contributes to their effective and coherent application, and sets forward new standards for the digital environment.

ARISA 2 - Assessing the Risk of Social Isolation of Suspects and Accused: The Impact of the Media	Justice Programme	https://arisa-project.eu/
Contributing to the implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/343 on the strengthening of the presumption of innocence and the right to be present at trial, the project analysed the impact of media coverage on suspects and accused persons. It looked into rules on public dissemination of information on criminal proceedings in BG, EL, IT and ES and developed guidelines for judicial and law enforcement authorities and ethical standards for the media on disclosing information while respecting the presumption of innocence.

List of acronyms used to refer to EU Programmes

Acronym	EU Programme
AMIF	Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund
BMVI	Integrated Border Management Fund – Border Management and Visa Instrument
CERV	Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme
CREA	Creative Europe programme
EMFAF	European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
ERASMUS+	Erasmus+ EU programme for education, training, youth and sport
ERDF	European Regional Development Fund
ESF+	European Social Fund Plus
EU4Health	EU4Health programme
EU-ILO Partnership	The EU-ILO partnership for development cooperation
FFPA	Financial Framework and Partnership Agreement
Horizon Europe	Horizon Europe
Justice Programme	Justice Programme
LIFE	LIFE Programme
Preparatory action	EU Preparatory Action Innovation for place based transformation
Single Market Programme	Single Market Programme
SRSP	Structural Reform Support Programme
TSI	Technical Support Instrument