"Strengthening human rights and democracy in the world: EU launches a €1.5 billion plan to promote universal values", 9 December 2021

On the eve of Human Rights Day and coinciding with the Summit for Democracy, the European Union launches the Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy programme. This programme, worth €1.5 billion, steps up EU support in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law and the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders around the world during the period 2021–2027. The programme will promote and protect the universality of human rights, strengthen the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations and abuses, and defend the full and effective exercise of fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression, supporting independent journalism and media, while seizing opportunities and countering risks associated with digital and new technologies...

Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy

The Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy programme for the period 2021–2027, that will complement further support at bilateral and regional level, is the EU's flagship tool for action to advance human rights and democracy, including addressing the impact of global challenges, such as climate change and environmental degradation, digital and new technologies, or the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme can support activities in any country outside the EU and at global level. It therefore complements other EU programmes at local, country, and regional levels.

It has five overarching priorities:

• 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 ...

In the first year of implementation, the EU will focus on promoting a global system for human rights and democracy. For example, in 2022–2024, the EU will support the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with €16 million, the Global Campus of Human Rights with €10 million, and the International Criminal Court with €3 million. The EU will also support in 2022 the launch of a Team Europe Democracy initiative to reinforce the impact of EU and Member States' global support to democracy. The 2021 action plan complements a number of urgent individual measures under the programme adopted earlier.

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