EC Call for Proposals: Capacity Building for Litigating Cases Relating to Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Violations

Deadline: 28 May 2019

European Commission is currently accepting proposals for a program entitled “Capacity building for litigating cases relating to democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights violations”.

Priorities

The Commission is implementing a preparatory action to create an EU fund for awareness raising and legal assistance to individuals and civil society organisations litigating democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights violations. The objective is to increase the awareness and knowledge of EU law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights (the Charter), and existing remedies and redress mechanisms to enforce them at national and European level.
To pursue the general objective to contribute to effective access to justice for all and a more effective and coherent implementation and application of EU law, including the Charter, the call sets the following specific objectives:
- To strengthen the knowledge and ability of legal professionals and practitioners, including those working for civil society organisations and independent human rights bodies, to effectively engage in litigation practices at national and European level to improve access to justice and enforcement of rights under EU law, including the Charter, through training, knowledge sharing and exchange of good practices;
- To support leverage activities, e.g. communication and campaigning, which help to raise awareness about rights, existing remedies and redress mechanisms.

Budget Information

The indicative maximum amount earmarked for the co-financing of projects under this call for proposals is estimated at EUR 540 000.
The Commission plans to award between 1 to 3 grants.

Duration

The initial duration of the projects should not exceed 24 months.

Activities

The success of strategic litigation initiatives rests on a comprehensive approach which requires specific skills and knowledge by all actors involved, in particular legal professionals and practitioners. Therefore, training activities, knowledge sharing and exchanges of good practices are needed to reinforce capacities and to strengthen cooperation among these actors. In addition, communication, campaigning and awareness raising activities are as important as the actual litigation to mobilise public opinion, to maintain individuals engaged throughout the process and to ensure the future enforcement of the decisions.
EU support can help build the capacity of relevant actors to develop this strategic approach to litigation practices in areas covered by EU law, including the Charter. This call for proposals therefore focuses on funding partnerships and activities benefitting legal professionals and practitioners who may assist or represent individuals wishing to litigate their rights under EU law, including the Charter, at national and European level, in particular through the following activities:
- the development of practical learning tools and initiatives to increase the availability and uptake of specialised knowledge (e.g. thematic databases of jurisprudence);
- the development and delivery of training and train the trainers modules for legal professionals (such as experts, lawyers and legal advisers) and practitioners;
- the exchange of good practices, knowledge and skills, and mutual learning activities, including through the development of strategic partnerships and networks and awareness raising initiatives.

Expected Results

Increased awareness and knowledge by legal professionals and practitioners (including from civil society organisations and independent human rights bodies) about EU law including the Charter and existing remedies and redress mechanisms to enforce them at national and European level;
Increased awareness and knowledge by the general public of their rights under EU law including the Charter, existing remedies and redress mechanisms to enforce them at national and European level as well as awareness and knowledge about support available by legal professionals and practitioners;
Strengthened abilities of legal professionals and practitioners to cooperate and engage in litigation practices to assist individuals in making effective use of available remedies to enforce their rights under EU law, including the Charter, before national and European courts.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible countries:
- The Member States of the European Union (including their overseas departments).
Eligibility of the lead applicant (i.e. coordinator) and participants (partners)
- The applicant and the partners must be private organisations or public bodies, duly established in one of the EU Member States, or international organisations.
- Organisations that are profit-oriented may only submit applications in partnership with public bodies or private non-profit organisations.
- Entities affiliated to a beneficiary and linked third parties are not considered as project participants, unless they are included as partners in the proposal.
- Note: For applicants and partners established in the UK: please be aware that they must comply with the eligibility criteria for the entire duration of the action for which a grant is awarded. If the UK withdraws from the EU during the grant period without concluding an agreement with the EU ensuring in particular, that UK applicants and partners continue to be eligible, they will cease to receive EU funding (while continuing, where possible, to participate) or be required to leave the project on the basis of the grant agreement.
Eligibility of the application
- The application may be submitted by a single applicant or in partnership;
- The project can be either national or transnational;
- The EU grant requested cannot be lower than EUR 75 000.