Human rights and democracy were always the cornerstones of every EU action outside the European borders. Europe remains the biggest benefactor of development assistance globally, mainly through Global Europe: Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). These democratic ideals can now have a home under the recent Global European Human Rights and Democracy programme launch.
Here is more information on this new EU programme and its meaning for European funding.
Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy 2021-2027
The symbolism behind this new programme is strong as it was launched on the eve of Human Rights Day on December 10, 2021, at the Summit for Democracy.
The Human Rights and Democracy programme budget is €1.5 billion and will fund projects worldwide for the period 2021-2027. This programme will strengthen further the European support to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, the rule of law, and the work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders. Additionally, it will support freedom of expression, independent journalism, and media, and try to seize opportunities and counter risks associated with digital and new technologies.
“Courageous people from all backgrounds are fighting on a daily basis for their civil liberties, for independent media and to safeguard democratic institutions, often at great personal risk. The European Union stands with them. The Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy programme will allow us to strengthen our support for and protection of universal human rights and democratic principles worldwide: for everyone, at any time and everywhere. Together with civil society organisations, human rights defenders, the UN Human Rights Office and the International Criminal Court, we will leave no one behind.”- High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell
Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy priorities
This will be the EU’s flagship programme for all human rights and democracy projects while providing additional support at the regional and bilateral levels. The programme’s focus will extend further to include projects addressing global challenges like climate change, digital and new technologies, or the pandemic.
The programmes five priorities are:
- Protecting and empowering individuals (€704 million)
- Building resilient, inclusive, and democratic societies (€463 million)
- Promoting a global system for human rights and democracy (€144 million)
- Safeguarding fundamental freedoms, including harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of digital and new technologies (€195 million)
- Delivering by working together (€6.6 million)
The background
Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy programme is funded under the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). It is the successor of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), launched back in 2006 to support Human Rights and Democracy across the world. The allocated funds for the 2021-2027 funding period is slightly higher €1.5 billion, compared to the €1.33 billion of EIDHR.
Stay tuned to EUcalls to find all the latest Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy calls upon their release in the near future.
