The South Programme V "Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean" is a joint initiative between the European Union and the Council of Europe over the period September 2022 - October 2025, with the objective to continue the support to democratic reforms in the Southern Mediterranean through the establishment of a common legal space between Europe and this region.

It aims to:  

• Further enlarge the common legal space between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean: aligning national legislations with international standards through accession to Council of Europe conventions and provision of targeted legal advice with the Quick Response Mechanism (QRM).
• Strengthen capacities to address global challenges through the development and use of common tools, strategies, and mechanisms in the region.
• Reinforce co-operation and dialogue on human rights, rule of law and democracy through strengthened cooperation and peer-to-peer networking at regional level.

This action is a continuation of the successive phases of the South Programme since 2012, during which the capacities of partner authorities and institutions in the Southern Mediterranean region have been strengthened by drawing on the added value of the Council of Europe’s standards, and the expertise of its monitoring mechanisms, advisory bodies and independent experts. The flexible and demand-driven approach of the Programme responds to partners’ specific needs, while regional actions address common interests and promote joint action across key priority areas.

More about the previous editions of the South Programme