The EIDHR is a European Union programme that aims to promote and support human rights and democracy worldwide.

As enshrined in the founding treaties, the EU is founded on the principles of “liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law”. These principles are guiding the internal functioning as well as the foreign policy of the EU. The EU has also adopted 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 violence. These principles ensure the promotion and protection of human rights outside EU borders.

Launched in 1994 as an initiative of the EU, EIDHR became a financial instrument of the EU in 2006 reflecting its growing importance. EIDHR extends financial support to civil society activities to reinforce human rights and the democratisation process.

The general aim of EIDHR is to contribute to the promotion and reinforcement of respect for democracy, rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The civil society organisations in Turkey can benefit from the global grants as well as Turkey-specific grants extended within the scope of EIDHR.

The global grant schemes extended within the scope of EIDHR are announced by Europeaid Cooperation Office of the European Commission and the Turkey-specific grants schemes by the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey. So far, more than 100 projects implemented by NGOs in Turkey have been funded through EIDHR. Under the scope of the funded projects, various activities have been carried out ranging from freedom of expression to access to justice, and from fight against torture to cultural rights.