The Council adopted the two programmes which constitute the EU justice, rights and values fund as part of the EU financial framework for 2021-2027 on 19 April 2021. The programmes will help to further promote, strengthen and protect justice, rights and EU values. They will support the further development of the European area of justice based on the rule of law, mutual recognition and mutual trust.
Francisca Van Dunem, Portuguese Minister of Justice stated that: "The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us in many ways, from our health to our economic and social fabric, and the recovery efforts will build the Europe we will live in for decades to come. It is of utmost importance to ensure that in doing this we strengthen our democratic and open societies, we build a future based on our common values and we promote our citizens right to justice by further developing a modern, well-functioning justice area. The funding under these programmes will be key to help us achieve this."
The EU is a union of shared values such as rule of law, democracy, freedom and equality that builds a European identity. As an organisation embracing, promoting and supporting the EU values at all times, we ECOPNET (European Cooperation & Partnership Network) welcome these new programmes approved by the Council as much needed instruments for the promotion of EU values. We also encourage the participation of civil society and engagement of local communities.
The rights and values programme will have an overall budget of maximum 1.55 billion (a budget of €641.7 million, with an additional allocation of maximum €912 million) and it sets out four specific objectives:
to protect and promote EU values
to promote equality and rights, including gender equality, anti-discrimination and the rights of children
to promote citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the EU and to raise awareness of the common European history
to fight violence, notably against children and women
The justice programme will have a budget of €305 million and it sets out the following specific objectives:
to facilitate and support judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters and to promote the rule of law independence and impartiality of the judiciary
to support and promote judicial training, with a view to fostering a common legal, judicial and rule of law culture
to facilitate effective and non-discriminatory access to justice for all, including by electronic means, and to support the rights of victims of crime as well as the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons
Source: European Council Press Releases
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