The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
WHY IS THE EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORTING
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATISATION? |
The European Union (EU) supports worldwide human rights and democracy.
The EU Treaties make it clear: the Union is ‘founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law’. These principles shall therefore guide the internal functioning as well as the foreign policy of the EU. They are also enshrined in the mission and objectives of the Council of Europe, which includes all EU Member States among its 47 members.
Some principles have been defined to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights outside EU borders: these are explained in the
EU Guidelines on Human rights, which address death penalty, torture and other forms of ill-treatment, human rights dialogues with third countries, children affected from armed conflict, promotion and protection of the rights of the child, human rights defenders and violence against women.
For Turkey as for any candidate country, the issue of human rights and democratisation bears further importance: the EU membership requires absolute respect for these principles.
| WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS? |
In all EU financial assistance to third countries, Human Rights are among priorities for funding. In Turkey, this applies as well with the EU "Instrument for Pre-Accession".
However the EU has decided to do more and have a dedicated financial programme for Human Rights.
The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) was launched in 1994 and further developed in 2006.
Today it is the principal vehicle for support to civil society activity in the promotion of human rights and democracy in third countries.
For the period 2007-2013 the EIDHR has a budget of
€1.104 million world-wide. Projects and organisations in Turkey are eligible through global and country schemes (see below "What can be funded by EIDHR in Turkey"). The allocation for Turkey in 2011 will increase to over €3 million.
| WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR EIDHR? |
The EIDHR funds actions in a number of areas:
- Increase respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk;
- Help civil society to promote human rights and democratic reform, to support the peaceful conciliation of group interests and to consolidate political participation and representation;
- Support actions in areas covered by EU Guidelines on Human Rights: dialogue on human rights, human rights defenders, death penalty, torture, children and armed conflicts and violence against women;
- Support the international and regional framework for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and the promotion of democracy;
- Improving the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, in particular through monitoring electoral processes
| WHAT CAN BE FUNDED BY THE EIDHR IN TURKEY? |
Projects in Turkey can be funded by EIDHR through:
- worldwide "Global Grant Schemes" open to all eligible countries (including Turkey) and announced directly by the EuropeAid Development and Cooperation Office of the European Commission and
- Specific grant schemes dedicated to Turkey ("Country Based Support Scheme") announced by the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey.
Under both schemes, the EIDHR primarily funds:
- grants to finance civil society projects or international/intergovernmental organizations
- small grants to human rights defenders
| WHAT HAS BEEN FUNDED SO FAR IN TURKEY? |
Since 1999 the EIDHR funded more than 107 projects in Turkey for a total amount of € 17 million. These included 17 macro/global grants and 90 micro/country-based grants. Currently, over 20 projects are ongoing.
Over the years, in Turkey the main priorities focused particularly on strengthening civil society in its action in a broad area of human rights. These included freedom of expression and independent media, improved access to justice, fight against torture and impunity, protection and respect of cultural diversity, vulnerable & minorities rights, human rights education and training programmes, enhancing political representation and participation in organised society, particularly for underrepresented groups (including women, LGBTT, Roma and youth).
The EU Delegation is currently evaluating the applications for grants received under a call for proposals launched for Turkey in 2010 with a total budget of € 1,2 million. The priorities of this last call include:
- strengthening and increasing Civil Societies’ involvement in the making, implementation and monitoring of Human Rights Policies at local and national level;
- supporting Human Rights Defenders in their efforts to promote and strive for the protection and realisation of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms at the local level.
| WHO IN TURKEY CAN RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM THE EIDHR? |
In principle organisations in Turkey can potentially apply for both Global Grant Schemes and for the Country Based Support Schemes for Turkey if they are:
- civil society organizations (under both Global and Country Schemes)
- public- and private-sector non-profit organizations (mostly under Global Schemes)
- national, regional & international parliamentary bodies (mostly under Global Schemes)
- international and regional inter-governmental organizations (for very large global actions or as partners under Global and Country Schemes)
- natural persons & non-legal entities (only under specific circumstances)
These are general conditions. Detailed eligibility conditions for applying are explained in the Guidelines for Applicants that are published for each Call for proposals under Global and Country Based support schemes.
| HOW CAN I KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EIDHR IN TURKEY? |
Contact us at the following e-mail address:
delegation-turkey-dihaa@eeas.europa.eu
Last update: 17.1.2012