Horizontal Facility - News
Transparency of Court Communication Strengthens Albanian Judiciary
Albania’s justice system is evolving to deliver not just equal justice, but also greater trust and transparency through open, effective communication. Recognising the judiciary’s key role in building public confidence, a dedicated workshop was recently held in Tirana with support from the EU and...
“Together with Family:” – The 17th Festival of Diversity Kicks off in Albania to mark IDAHOT
It is May and as every year, we unite to celebrate diversity and human dignity in Albania, reaffirming the commitment to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion for all. The 17th Festival of Diversity in the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is...
Equality at the heart of democracy: IDAHOT+ 2026 marked in Serbia
The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Interphobia (IDAHOT+) with a ceremonial event held at the “Svetozar Marković” University Library on 14 May. Under...
Fighting human trafficking facilitated by online technology in North Macedonia
New technologies, including artificial intelligence, are fuelling a global surge in victims of human trafficking. Children are often targeted by on-line predators, who use these technologies to earn money and obtain benefits by on-line sexual exploitation of children. North Macedonia is no...
Advancing ethical and disciplinary practices in Montenegro's judiciary
The Council of Europe and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in cooperation with the Judicial Council, Prosecutorial Council, Supreme Court of Montenegro and Supreme State Prosecution Office, organised a joint training course on Strengthening Ethical and Disciplinary Frameworks...
Civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen response to racism and racial discrimination
Thirty-one civil servants from institutions across Bosnia and Herzegovina completed specialised training on combating racism and racial discrimination, strengthening capacities to promote equality and build more inclusive public institutions. The closing gathering, held on 13 May in Tarčin,...
Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia
Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia gathered in Vrdnik for a two-day workshop on internal and external communication and media relations. Building on the first training session held earlier in April, the workshop further supported the strengthening of communication...
Call for proposals: support to civil society organisations (CSOs) for fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Montenegro
Within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III), and its Action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”, a new call for proposals has been launched to support civil...
Supporting mediation and alternative dispute resolution in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Within the framework of the Action “Strengthening the Efficiency and Quality of Justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiHSEJ)”, a series of meetings was conducted on 27 and 28 April 2026 in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Brčko District to assess the current use of mediation and other alternative dispute...
Agreement reached on advancing online content regulation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Representatives of public institutions, independent regulatory bodies, the media, academia, and civil society reached agreement on key principles for improving the governance of online content in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2026)4...
Modernising Property Rights in Albania: Inside the Transformation of the State Cadaster Agency
How would you describe the ongoing reform undertaken at the State Cadastre Agency in Albania? At the State Cadastre Agency, we have initiated a structural and transformative reform aimed at the modernisation of property administration in Albania. For the first time, we have not focused only on...
Law students from Legal Clinics in Tetovo strengthen skills to provide Free Legal Aid
Primary legal aid provided by authorised legal clinics is crucial for guaranteeing that everyone has access to justice, in line with European standards. In a continued effort to strengthen their capacities to provide free legal aid, especially for the most vulnerable communities, 33 law students...
From Syria to Reintegration: Supporting Violent Extremist Offenders in the Probation System in Albania
In her dark clothing, Fatime* sits quietly, seemingly uninterested in any conversation, waits impatiently to meet her Probation Officer in Tirana. Every three months, she is required to report and discuss her progress with the probation authorities. She is one of the nine women who returned in...
Bosnia and Herzegovina advances discussions on remote hearings in civil proceedings
A workshop entitled “Introducing remote hearings in civil procedure in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held on 29 April 2026 in Brčko with the support of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ). The event gathered representatives of judicial institutions from across Bosnia and...
"From trauma to testimony“ - Regional dialogue on psychological support to victims of human trafficking
"From Trauma to Testimony: The Role of Psychological Support in Human Trafficking Cases” was the main topic of the regional dialogue organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe. The online event brought together more than 60 experts and practitioners in the field of human trafficking...
New e-learning tool to strengthen police response to racism and discrimination in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnerships regions
A new E-learning Course on Equality and Non-discrimination in Policing, has been launched, bringing together representatives of law enforcement agencies, equality bodies and civil society organisations from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. The course is based on the European...
Serbian prosecutors discuss judicial reform and European standards
Members of the Prosecutors' Association of Serbia, convened at a round table in Belgrade to discuss key developments within Serbian judiciary, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen legal culture and enhance the capacities of judicial and prosecutorial councils. The discussions centred on the...
Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia
Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council Council gathered in Divcibare in the two-day workshop on “Internal and external communication and media relations”. The workshop focused on enhancing capacities for effective, transparent and co-ordinated communication, both internally and with...
Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination in North Macedonia explores new strategic approach in combating hatred and discrimination
The Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination has taken an important step forward to advance Strategic Planning for Combating Hate Speech and Discrimination in North Macedonia, during the public meeting with the participation of around 20 members and technical staff of the...
Freedom of expression, defamation and SLAPPs addressed with lawyers in Pristina
Key European standards and practical aspects related to freedom of expression, protection of reputation and abusive litigation (SLAPPs) were addressed during a training with lawyers in Pristina. Participants exchanged on core principles of freedom of expression, including relevant international...
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