Programme: European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) aims at providing support for the promotion of democracy and human rights in non-EU countries. The key objectives of the EIDHR are:

• Enhancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk
• Strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, in supporting the peaceful conciliation of group interests and in consolidating political participation and representation
• Supporting actions in areas covered by EU Guidelines: dialogue on Human rights, human rights defenders, the death penalty, torture, children and armed conflicts and violence against women
• Supporting and strengthening the international and regional framework for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and the promotion of democracy
• Building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, in particular through monitoring electoral processes

The annual action programs define objectives, fields of action, expected results, methods and the amount of financing planned. In unforeseen, exceptional or particularly urgent cases exceptional measures may be taken.

The entities eligible for funding depending on the specific objectives of each action/call for proposal are:  

• Civil society organisations
• Public- and private-sector non-profit organisations
• National, regional and international parliamentary bodies, when the proposed measure cannot be financed under a related Community external assistance instrument
• International and regional inter-governmental organisations
• Natural persons, when their help is necessary for achieving the aims of the EIDHR

europeaid-eidhr@ec.europa.eu