Horizontal Facility - News
Aligning domestic practices with European case law: New publication to support Albanian legal professionals in upholding human rights standards
Today at Europe House Tirana, the latest Handbook featuring selected 2023-2024 European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law was presented for lawyers and legal professionals . This resource produced with the support of EU and Council of Europe, highlights key rulings that shape the...
Strengthening justice delivery in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Over 50 judges, court presidents, and clerks across Bosnia and Herzegovina are gaining new tools to enhance court efficiency and improve the quality of justice, thanks to a two-day training session “Using CEPEJ Methodologies and Tools to Improve Court Efficiency and Managerial Capacities”,...
Beneficiaries and partners of the anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia discuss key milestones
At its fourth meeting, the Steering Committee of the action “Strengthening anti - trafficking action in North Macedonia” gathered in Skopje key partners and beneficiaries to take stock of the achieved progress during implementation of the action and discussed the new priorities for 2025. The...
Strengthening access to justice: Free legal aid for human trafficking victims
Legal experts and key stakeholders came together at a roundtable in Belgrade to tackle one of the most critical challenges in combating human trafficking: ensuring victims have access to free legal aid. Organised by the Council of Europe under the Horizontal Facility programme in Serbia and the...
Towards a more accountable justice system in Montenegro
Under the action "Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims' rights in Montenegro", the European Union and the Council of Europe are teaming up to enhance Montenegro’s judicial system, ensuring fair trials and stronger protections for victims. As part...
Empowering judges and prosecutors to combat SLAPPs
In the face of growing challenges posed by defamation cases and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), 20 judges and prosecutors from Bosnia and Herzegovina sharpened their skills to address these issues effectively. The two-day training, organised by the Council of Europe in...
Public actors in North Macedonia to advance the fight against discrimination in co-operation with EU and Council of Europe
Achievements and future activities on anti-discrimination and combating hate speech were in the focus of the Fourth Steering Committee meeting of the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in North Macedonia“ . The meeting gathered beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders to discuss and...
Awareness raising in Kamza highlights the ongoing commitment to promote property rights for local communities in Albania
The Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS), with support from the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised an impactful awareness-raising event in Kamza, focusing on property rights and compensation mechanisms. The event was particularly targeted at vulnerable local communities, with the aim...
PRESS RELEASE
The European Union and the Council of Europe back Montenegro’s work on human rights, rule of law, and democracy through a joint programme
Montenegro is paving the way for stronger human rights protection, rule of law, and democracy with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme, “The Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, according to the participants at the programme’s annual...
Countering emerging crime risks linked to innovative technology in financial services in the Western Balkans
In an effort to facilitate the exchange of information at the regional level on managing money laundering and terrorist financing risks associated with innovative technologies in financial services, a regional workshop was organised in Strasbourg with the support of EU and Council of Europe. The...
Building bridges through journalism: enhancing journalistic skills across diverse communities
As part of ongoing efforts to promote media freedom and enhance journalistic standards, the Council of Europe organised a workshop in Brezovica, Kosovo*. with journalists from both, the Albanian and Serbian communities. The event aimed at discussing how to address the main challenges journalists...
Strengthening law enforcement’s role in protecting journalists and media freedom in Albania
Ensuring the safety of journalists and upholding media freedom are essential pillars of democratic societies and fundamental to safeguarding human rights. To support these goals, twenty-eight law enforcement officers and instructors from Albania participated in a Training of Trainers programme on...
Promoting gender equality and women’s access to justice across the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan regions
Judges, prosecutors and representatives from judicial training institutions across the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions met in Tirana, to assess the results of the mentoring programme for legal professionals on women’s access to justice. A series of thematic exchanges were held on...
Press Release
European Union and Council of Europe reaffirm commitment to supporting rule of law and human rights reforms in North Macedonia
The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe have emphasised the importance of the joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” in advancing North Macedonia’s reform agenda. This initiative supports the country’s alignment with European standards in key areas,...
Strengthening justice transparency in Montenegro
Transparency in judiciary is not just a principle—it is a fundamental requirement for a functioning democracy – this was the key message voiced at the workshops for courts and prosecution officers dedicated to development of actions plans for the implementation of judicial communication...
Towards better legal protection for victims of human trafficking
More than 40 lawyers from Serbia improved their knowledge and skills in recognizing human trafficking and providing adequate legal support to victims. This result was achieved through a series of round tables organized by ASTRA - Action against human trafficking, with the support of the Bar...
PRESS RELEASE
European Union and Council of Europe renew commitment to supporting justice and human rights reforms
The European Union and the Council of Europe have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting ongoing institutional reforms in Kosovo* through technical assistance and legislative and policy expertise provided by the joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”....
Creating a society of tolerance and inclusion through sports: "Football against discrimination and hate speech"
Fair play starts at the court and lasts a lifetime. This is the overall conclusion of the tournament within the project of the Canton Sarajevo Football Association "Football against discrimination and hate speech" that took place at the Sport Centre "Sobol" in Hotonj, which was held on November...
Strengthening legal protections for journalists in the Western Balkans: Regional exchange on combatting SLAPPs
Promoting a secure environment for media professionals is a key priority for the Western Balkans Beneficiaries as outlined by the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). Through the EU and Council of Europe regional...
Information session with inmates on their rights in Albania
European Union and Council of Europe supported the initiative of the Albanian Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination to enhance the information and understanding of prisoner’s rights and non-discriminatory treatment. The new library initiative of the Bradashesh pre-detention facility was...
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