PROJECTS
EU Projects with the Council of Europe
The EU and the Council of Europe have, in pursuit of shared goals with regard to the protection of democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, developed a dynamic, vibrant and highly efficient cooperation tool known as the joint programmes. The EU provides most of the funding to the joint programmes while the Council of Europe is responsible for their implementation.
Programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III)
The joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III) is a co-operation initiative, running from 2023 until 2026.
The programme covers actions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. It enables the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.
The third phase of the programme is worth €41 million (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).
Partnership for Good Governance (PGG)
In 2014, the European Union and the Council of Europe launched a common initiative: The Partnership for Good Governance (PGG) programme for the Eastern Partnership countries* to provide support in implementing the Eastern Partnership countries’ domestic reforms to strengthen justice, counter economic crime, promote equality and non-discrimination, advance women’s access to justice and combat violence against women in line with European standards.
The PGG was designed in close consultation with the European Union and the national stakeholders, in line with the Council of Europe’s country-specific Action Plans and the European Union's priorities for the region. It has three successive phases: PGG I (2015-2018) , PGG II (2019-2022), PGG III (2023-2027).
Progress in the EU accession agenda is in focus for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as are improved European perspectives for Georgia. The Partnership for Good Governance programme will also continue supporting Armenia and Azerbaijan and is also foreseen to support co-operation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
Programme "Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme V)
The programme "Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme V) is a joint initiative between the European Union and the Council of Europe over the period 2022 - 2025 with the objective to continue the support to democratic reforms in the Southern Mediterranean through the establishment of a common legal space between Europe and this region.
Since 2012, the successive phases of the South Programme (I, II,III and IV) have provided institutional support to beneficiaries of the Southern Mediterranean region (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Palestine*), which have benefited from the added value of the Council of Europe’s standards, its independent monitoring mechanisms, and the support of independent experts and advisory opinion bodies. Regional actions address common interests and facilitate knowledge sharing and lessons learned at a collective level on a range of topics while the flexibility and demand-driven approach of the programme respond to the countries’ specific needs and requests for assistance.
Programme on Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP)
The Programme on Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) develops and provides online courses on human rights for legal professionals. The main objective is to enhance the capacity of judges, lawyers and prosecutors, in all 46 Council of Europe member states and beyond, to apply the European human rights standards in their daily work. In addition, the project HELP in the EU aims at enhancing the ability of legal practitioners within the EU to effectively and coherently apply European fundamental rights standards at the national level.
The European Heritage Days
The European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission since 1999, are the most widely celebrated participatory cultural events shared in Europe.
The pan-European nature of this project contributes to bringing citizens together and highlighting the European dimension of cultural heritage in the 50 signatory States of the European Cultural Convention. Over 70 000 events are organized every year in order to help raise awareness of the value of this common heritage and the need for its conservation for present and future generations.
It also aims to counter racism and xenophobia and encourage greater tolerance in Europe, beyond national borders.
https://www.coe.int/web/culture-and-heritage/european-heritage-days/
The Central Asia Rule of Law Programme (2020-2023)
The Central Asia Rule of Law Programme (2020-2023) was signed in November 2019 and covers all five countries of the region: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The programme seeks to reinforce human rights, rule of law and democracy in accordance with European and other interantional standards and, in particular, to facilitate a democratic political transition, help promote good governance, as well as reinforce and enlarge the Council of Europe regional action in combating trans-border and global threats.
Another European Union/Council of Europe joint programme “Support to reforms of electoral legislation and practice and regional Human Rights instruments and mechanisms in countries of Latin America, Central Asia and Mongolia” is also being implemented.
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Logo of Youth Partnership.
Copyright: Council of Europe
The EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership
The EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership was created more than 20 years ago and aims at nurturing synergies between the youth-oriented activities of the EU and the Council of Europe. This includes the establishment of a clear picture of current and upcoming challenges and trends in participation and social inclusion for all young people, based on research evidence, sociological and statistical analysis and input from within and beyond the youth sector. It also promotes work for youth participation and social inclusion, including innovative youth work, partnerships, outreach, learning mobility and the recognition of youth work.
Global Action on Cybercrime Extended (GLACY)+
Global Action on Cybercrime Extended (GLACY+) started in 2016 with a budget of € 18,890,000 and will run until 2024. The project seeks to strengthen the capacities of States worldwide to apply legislation on cybercrime and electronic evidence and enhance their abilities to engage in effective international cooperation in this area. The project currently has 15 priority countries, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
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Logo of GLACY+.
Copyright: Council of Europe