Joint Programme
South Programme II

A flagship programme supporting democratic governance in the Southern Mediterranean

Since its start in 2012, the South Programme has been a strategic European Union-Council of Europe initiative supporting democratic reforms in the Southern Mediterranean based on the demand from the partners from the region. From legislative expertise to the strengthening of institutions' capacities, through peer-to-peer exchanges and networks, the South Programme has contributed to the establishment of a common legal area between the two shores of the Mediterranean.

The second phase of this ambitious three-year European Union-Council of Europe joint programme started in January 2015. It is namely contributing to the establishment of new legislative and constitutional frameworks and democratic governance structures in the region as well as institutions deriving from them. Besides, the Programme aims to contribute to the establishment of a common legal area through a progressive accession of countries from the Southern Mediterranean region to key Council of Europe conventions, which constitute the foundations for legal cooperation between countries who share common values of respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy in the 47 Council of Europe member states and beyond.

Through the Council of Europe various intergovernmental and interparliamentary networks, the South Programme II aims to foster better regional cooperation between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean partners, as well as among them, in the fields related to human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

South Programme II brochure