Depending on the needs and priorities of the beneficiaries concerned, work in this area concentrates on support to ombudspersons’ institutions, inclusive education (addressing racism, bullying, segregation and extremism in the education system), addressing trafficking in human beings (with a focus on assistance to victims of trafficking), countering discrimination against national minorities and/or when based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

actions under theme iii: combating discrimination
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Albania    
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • Quality education for all in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Kosovo* 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Montenegro 
  • Quality education for all in Montenegro 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Serbia 
  • Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia  
  • Quality education for all in Serbia 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in North Macedonia 
  • Preventing and combatting human trafficking in North Macedonia 
  • Strengthening the human rights protection of migrants and victims of human trafficking in Turkey 
  • Fostering a comprehensive institutional response to violence against women and domestic violence in Turkey (the action ended in June 2021)
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans 
  • Fostering women’s access to justice in Turkey 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.