On Wednesday 30 May, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for a Justice, Rights and Values Fund that will be worth €947 million for the 2021-2027 period.
Two funding programmes will receive financial support: - €642 million for the Rights and Values programme; and €305 million for the Justice programme that will help to promote the creation of a European justice area based on mutual recognition and trust (see EUROPE 12013).
These programmes largely acknowledge the crucial role played by civil society and the promotion of these values, explained one European official, although funding will also be open to the public authorities, legal networks and universities.
It should be recalled that in a resolution adopted at the end of April (see EUROPE 12005), the European Parliament made a robust appeal for creating a financial instrument specifically devoted to supporting civil society organisations in the EU that promote fundamental values at a local level.
In this connection, the novelty is, above all, bringing several programmes together with the objective of providing greater simplification, particularly, in the area of citizenship, which is currently covered by two different programs but will now be covered by the new “Rights and values” programme.
The Commission explained that “bringing citizen activities together with the same objectives will simplify procedures for beneficiaries who will have a one-stop-shop for submitting their proposals”.
The rights and values programme will have three objectives: promoting equality and rights; promoting citizens' engagement and participation in the EU's democratic life and; tackling violence.
A European official explained that funding will be managed by the Commission and based on the presentation of a project that responds to one of the three objectives but which will also include subsidies that cover the operational costs of the organisations.
Questioned about the real capacity of these programmes to help NGOs whose activities are under threat at a local level, our source explained that the Commission did not, however, envisage a “ratings” system that would prioritise one NGO over another on the basis of the urgency of a specific situation. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)