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Subject matter
This Regulation establishes the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (the ‘Programme’) for the duration of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, as laid down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093. It lays down the objectives of the Programme, the budget for the period 2021–2027, the forms of Union funding and the rules for providing such funding.
Programme objectives
1. The general objective of the Programme is to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the Treaties, the Charter and the applicable international human rights conventions, in particular by supporting civil society organisations and other stakeholders active at local, regional, national and transnational level, and by encouraging civic and democratic participation, in order to sustain and further develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies which are based on the rule of law. 2. Within the general objective set out in paragraph 1, the Programme shall have the following specific objectives, which correspond to strands: (a) to protect and promote Union values (Union values strand); (b) to promote rights, non-discrimination and equality, including gender equality, and to advance gender mainstreaming and the mainstreaming of non-discrimination (equality, rights and gender equality strand); (c) to promote citizens’ engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union and exchanges between citizens of different Member States, and to raise awareness of their common European history (citizens’ engagement and participation strand); (d) to fight violence, including gender-based violence (Daphne strand).
Union values strand
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (a) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on protecting, promoting and raising awareness of rights by providing financial support to civil society organisations which are active at local, regional, national and transnational level in promoting and cultivating those rights, thereby also strengthening the protection and promotion of Union values and respect for the rule of law and contributing to the construction of a more democratic Union, democratic dialogue, transparency and good governance.
Equality, rights and gender equality strand
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (b) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: (1) promoting equality and preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and respecting the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds provided for in Article 21 of the Charter; (2) supporting, advancing and implementing comprehensive policies aimed at: (a) promoting women’s full enjoyment of rights; gender equality, including work-life balance; women’s empowerment; and gender mainstreaming; (b) promoting non-discrimination and the mainstreaming thereof; (c) combating racism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance, including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, interphobia and intolerance on the basis of gender identity, both online and offline; (d) protecting and promoting the rights of the child; (e) protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities; (3) protecting and promoting Union citizenship rights and the right to the protection of personal data.
Citizens’ engagement and participation strand
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (c) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: (1) supporting projects aimed at remembering defining moments in modern European history, such as the coming to power of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, including the causes and consequences thereof, and projects aimed at raising awareness among European citizens of their common history, culture, cultural heritage and values, thereby enhancing their understanding of the Union, of its origins, purpose, diversity and achievements and of the importance of mutual understanding and tolerance; (2) promoting citizens’ and representative associations’ participation in and contribution to the democratic and civic life of the Union by enabling them to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action; (3) promoting exchanges between citizens of different countries, in particular through town-twinning and networks of towns, so as to afford them practical experience of the richness and diversity of the common heritage of the Union and to make them aware that such richness and diversity constitute a solid foundation for a common future.
Daphne strand
Within the general objective set out in Article 2(1) and within the specific objective set out in point (d) of Article 2(2), the Programme shall focus on: (1) preventing and combating at all levels all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls and domestic violence, including by promoting the standards laid down in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention); (2) preventing and combating all forms of violence against children, young people and other groups at risk, such as LGBTIQ persons and persons with disabilities; (3) supporting and protecting all direct and indirect victims of the forms of violence referred to in points (1) and (2), such as the victims of domestic violence perpetrated within the family or within intimate relationships, including children orphaned as a result of domestic crimes, and supporting and ensuring the same level of protection throughout the Union for victims of gender-based violence.
Budget
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 641 705 000 in current prices. 2. As a result of the Programme-specific adjustment provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093, the amount set out in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be increased by an additional allocation of EUR 800 000 000 in 2018 prices as specified in Annex II to that Regulation. 3. Within the amount set out in paragraph 1, the following indicative amounts shall be allocated to the following objectives: (a) EUR 297 366 097 in current prices, i.e. 46,34 % of the financial envelope, for the specific objectives set out in point (a) of Article 2(2); (b) EUR 169 410 120 in current prices, i.e. 26,4 %, of the financial envelope, for the specific objectives set out in points (b) and (d) of Article 2(2); (c) EUR 174 928 783 in current prices, i.e. 27,26 % of the financial envelope, for the specific objectives set out in point (c) of Article 2(2). 4. Within the amount set out in paragraph 2, the following indicative amounts shall be allocated to the following objectives: (a) 43,00 %, up to EUR 344 000 000 in 2018 prices, for the specific objectives set out in point (a) of Article 2(2); (b) 23,07 %, up to EUR 184 560 000 in 2018 prices, for the specific objectives set out in points (b) and (d) of Article 2(2); (c) 23,93 %, up to EUR 191 440 000 in 2018 prices, for the specific objectives set out in point (c) of Article 2(2); (d) 10,00 %, up to EUR 80 000 000 in 2018 prices, for any of the objectives set out in Article 2(2). 5. Within the amounts set out in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 3 and points (a) and (b) of paragraph 4, at least 50 % shall be allocated to support activities carried out by civil society organisations, of which at least 40 % shall be allocated to local and regional civil society organisations. 6. Within the amount set out in point (b) of paragraph 3 and point (b) of paragraph 4, at least 40 % shall be allocated to support activities to prevent and combat at all levels all forms of gender-based violence and at least 15 % to activities promoting women’s full enjoyment of rights; gender equality, including work-life balance; women’s empowerment; and gender mainstreaming. 7. Within the amount set out in point (c) of paragraph 3 and point (c) of paragraph 4, at least 65 % shall be allocated to democratic participation and 15 % to remembrance activities. 8. The Commission shall not depart from the allocated percentages of programme funds set out in paragraph 6 and 7 by more than ten percentage points. 9. The amounts set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 may be allocated for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the Programme, such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, including corporate information technology systems, studies, meetings of experts and communications on priorities and areas related to the general objectives of the Programme. 10. In accordance with point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 193(2) of the Financial Regulation, taking into account the delayed entry into force of this Regulation and in order to ensure continuity, for a limited period, costs incurred in respect of actions supported under this Regulation may be considered eligible as of 1 January 2021, even if they were incurred before the grant application was submitted. 11. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at the request of the Member State concerned, be transferred to the Programme subject to the conditions set out in Article 26 of a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (the ‘Common Provisions Regulation for 2021-2027’). The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that subparagraph. Those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned.
Third countries associated to the Programme
The Programme shall be open to the participation of the following third countries: (a) members of the EFTA which are members of the EEA, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Agreement on the European Economic Area; (b) acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council decisions or in similar agreements and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries; (c) European Neighbourhood Policy countries, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council decisions or in similar agreements and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries; (d) other third countries, in accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement covering the participation of the third country to any Union programme, provided that the agreement: (i) ensures a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programmes; (ii) lays down the conditions of participation in the programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes, and their administrative costs; (iii) does not confer on the third country any decision-making power in respect of the Union programme; (iv) guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect its financial interests. The contributions referred to in point (d)(ii) of the first subparagraph shall constitute assigned revenues in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation.
Implementation and forms of Union funding
1. The Programme shall be implemented in direct management in accordance with the Financial Regulation or in indirect management by the bodies referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph of Article 62(1) thereof. 2. The Programme may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation. 3. Contributions to a mutual insurance mechanism may cover the risk associated with the recovery of funds due by recipients and shall be considered a sufficient guarantee under the Financial Regulation. The provisions laid down in Article 37(7) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 32 ) shall apply.
Types of action
Actions contributing to the achievement of a specific objective as set out in Article 2 may receive funding under this Regulation. In particular, activities listed in Annex I shall be eligible for funding.
Civil Dialogue Group
The Commission shall set up a Civil Dialogue Group for the purpose of ensuring a regular, open and transparent dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme and other relevant stakeholders in order to exchange experiences and good practices and to discuss policy developments within the areas and objectives covered by the Programme and related areas.
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