Safeguarding EU citizens’ fundamental rights through EU Funds
Article written by Kurt Cortis, Executive at Servizzi Ewropej f'Malta
Published in The Malta Independent
EU citizenship garners with it several fundamental rights and
responsibilities, as well as benefits, such as the freedom of movement, the
freedom of settlement and employment across the EU. Moreover, the EU promotes
and safeguards what it considers as an integral part of the European way of
life: the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law
and human rights. Although we may take them for granted, these rights and
benefits improve our daily lives.
With the new 2021–2027 programming period for EU funds came a new EU
Funding programme seeking to safeguard the rights and values as enshrined in
the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU Treaties: The Citizens,
Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. The aim of this funding programme
is to sustain and further develop European societies based on rights, democracy,
equality, inclusiveness and rule of law.
With a €1.55 billion budget, the CERV programme integrates the now
defunct Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) programme and the Europe for
Citizens programme. CERV seeks to tackle common European issues such as
discrimination, racism, and gender equality, whilst also promoting matters such
as data protection, citizens’ participation and common European heritage. Specifically,
the programme sets out four objectives:
Firstly, the programme will seek to protect, promote and raise awareness
on Union values by providing financial support to civil society organisations.
Secondly, the programme will seek to fund projects tackling equality,
discrimination, personal data and citizens’ rights, particularly those of
disadvantaged persons.
Thirdly, the programme will seek to raise awareness on common history,
cultural heritage and EU values by promoting citizens’ participation in and
contribution to the democratic and civic life of the Union.
Lastly, the programme will seek to fund projects which aim to support
and protect all direct and indirect victims of violence, including domestic and
gender-based, as well as violence against children, young people and other
groups at risk.
A number of calls for proposals are published each year under CERV, each
seeking to fund projects tackling different objectives. At present, there are
two forthcoming calls, one of them relating to ‘Citizens’ engagement and
participation’ which is expected to open by the end of this year. The aim of
this call is to support the transnational partnerships and collaboration
between a diverse range of people from different backgrounds in activities
directly linked to EU policies. In doing so, participants have the opportunity
to actively participate in the EU policymaking process and contribute directly to
the democratic and civic life of the Union.
Projects can involve a myriad of activities to ensure the achievement of
the above objectives. Projects may include training activities which promote
societal engagement, such as debates, mutual learning, workshops, seminars and
conferences; campaigns for awareness raising or dissemination; and analytical
activities to gather opinions, such as studies and surveys.
The deadline for this call is February 10, 2022. Private non-profit
entities, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) may apply as lead
partner. Any non-profit entity or local council may be included as a partner.
The project must involve organisations from at least three organisations from
three different eligible countries.
Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) assists local organisations such as government
entities, local councils and NGOs to access EU-funding opportunities. Once a
project is selected for funding, SEM can also assist in the implementation of the
project.
For more information on this call, the CERV programme or any other
matter related to the EU, kindly contact SEM on info.sem@gov.mt or 2200 3300.