27/4/2007
EU Allocates € 93,8 Millions to Promote Fundamental Rights and Democratic Participation Over The Period 2007-2013

The financial instrument - Fundamental Rights and Citizenship under new Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 - has received the European Council's final green-light. Vice-President Franco Frattini, EU Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, welcomed the Council decision: "The adoption of the programme Fundamental Rights and Citizenship will strengthen the EU action in this field. Thanks to this programme, national authorities and civil society will benefit of the concrete commitment of the European Union for promoting the respect and enhancing the protection of fundamental rights," he said.

The financial instrument Fundamental Rights and Citizenship aims at supporting respect for fundamental rights and at encouraging citizens' participation in the democratic life of the European Union. It fosters civil society and bolsters an open and transparent dialogue between stakeholders. Projects financed under this instrument will also promote tolerance and a better intercultural understanding throughout Europe, fighting racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism.

The types of actions that can be supported by this programme are:

- Transnational projects presented by public authorities, international organisations or NGOs, involving at least two Member States or one Member State and an acceding or candidate Country,

- Activities of NGOs or other entities with a general European interest in accordance with the objectives of the programme.

The programme also provides for operating grants to co-finance the permanent work programme of the Conference of the European Constitutional Courts and of the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the European Union.

All Member States, the acceding and candidate countries and the Western Balkans countries included in the stabilisation and association process are taking part in the programme.

The programme is open to institutions and public or private organisations established in a participating country. It also provides for joint activities with international organisations dealing with fundamental rights, such as the Council of Europe.

The budget available for this specific programme is 93,8 million Euro for 2007-2013