the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) under EACEA

Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme

This programme aims to protect and promote rights and values as enshrined in the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights in particular by supporting civil society organisations active at local, regional, national and transnational level.

The CERV programme in a nutshell

The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme was launched in 2021 and will run for seven years until 2027. It was created along with the 2021-2027 Justice programme under the Justice, Rights and Values Fund.

The CERV programme seeks to support and develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law. That includes a vibrant and empowered civil society, encouraging people's democratic, civic and social participation and cultivating the rich diversity of European society, based on our common values, history and memory.

The CERV programme has four pillars:

1. Equality, Rights and Gender Equality - promoting rights, non-discrimination, equality (including gender equality), and advancing gender and non-discrimination mainstreaming
2. Citizens' engagement and participation - promoting citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union, exchanges between citizens of different Member States, and raising awareness of the common European history
3. Daphne - fight violence, including gender-based violence and violence against children
4. Union values - protect and promote Union values

Civil society organisations active at local, regional, national and transnational level, as well as other stakeholders, can apply to receive CERV funding for initiatives aimed at citizens’ engagement, equality for all and the protection and promotion of rights and EU values.

Here you can apply for Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV).

For the latest news on funding opportunities & funded projects under the CERV and Justice programmes, sign up here to receive the funding newsletter on a regular basis.

Many countries have a national contact point to help applicants and beneficiaries with questions and issues related to the CERV programme (including how to apply for funding). You can view the list of CERV Contact Points here.

If your country does not yet have a CERV national contact point, feel free to contact the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme 2014-2020
 

Objectives of the Programme

This programme shall contribute to the further development of an area where equality and the rights of persons, as enshrined in the Treaty, the Charter and international human rights conventions, are promoted and protected. Its nine specific objectives are to:

• Promote non–discrimination
• Combat racism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance
• Promote rights of persons with disabilities
• Promote equality between women and men and gender mainstreaming
• Prevent violence against children, young people, women and other groups at risk (Daphne)
• Promote the rights of the child
• Ensure the highest level of data protection
• Promote the rights deriving from Union citizenship
• Enforce consumer rights

Types of actions funded

• Training activities (staff exchanges, workshops, development of training modules,…)
• Mutual learning, cooperation activities, exchange of good practices, peer reviews, development of ICT tools…
• Awareness-raising activities, dissemination, conferences,…
• Support for main actors (key European NGOs and networks, Member States' authorities implementing Union law,…)
• Analytical activities (studies, data collection, development of common methodologies, indicators, surveys, preparation of guides…)

EU added value

All actions to be funded by the programme must produce results whose benefits go beyond one single Member State. The following elements should in particular be looked at: Does the project contribute to the effective, comprehensive and consistent implementation of Union law instruments and policies? Will it improve public awareness and knowledge about the rights, values and principles deriving from Union law? Will it improve the understanding of potential issues affecting these rights? Is it likely to develop mutual trust among Member States and to improve cross- border cooperation? What is its transnational impact? Does it contribute to the elaboration and dissemination of best practices? Will it create practical tools and solutions that address cross-border or Union-wide challenges?

Budget 2014-2020

EUR 439 million

Participating countries

All Member States, Iceland (all specific objectives) and Liechtenstein (only for non–discrimination, racism, xenophobia, rights of persons with disabilities and equality between women and men)

Previous Programmes 2007-2013

The Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme replaced three earlier funding programmes which expired in 2013:

• Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme
• Daphne III Programme
• Progress Programme: Anti-discrimination and Gender Equality strands.

See Programmes 2007-2013 for more details of pre-2014 programmes in these fields.