Protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the media in the Western Balkans
Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are essential freedoms of the people of the Western Balkans that need to be protected in line with European standards. The programme has been working together with the beneficiary institutions, civil society organisations, and media associations, so...
Ensuring quality education for all
The programme has been supporting authorities, civil society organisations, schools, students, their parents, and broader local communities in achieving better education for all. The actions engaged in the field of education have been working on having schools free from discrimination, nurturing...
Towards more independent and accountable judicial systems in the Western Balkans
Ensuring the independence and accountability of judicial systems in the Western Balkans is crucial for guaranteeing access to justice and equal protection of human rights, in line with European standards. The programme continues to advance the collaboration and joint work with public actors and...
Strengthening the fight against corruption, economic crime, and money laundering
The fight against corruption, economic crime, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism remains one of the priorities of all programme Beneficiaries. This is why the programme has been continuously supporting the authorities and civil society organisations in strengthening their capacities...
Enhancing prison safety and security in the Western Balkans
One of the main priorities of the programme is to strengthen safety and security in the Western Balkans Beneficiaries by improving management and rehabilitation of prisoners, with a particular focus on violent extremist prisoners and other marginalised and vulnerable prisoners at risk of...
Get to know the most recent publications published under the Horizontal Facility programme!
Get to know the most recent publications published under the Horizontal Facility programme! In this edition of Highlights, we are bringing you three publications published in the framework of the programme to enhance knowledge and bring the European standards in various areas closer to the...
Protecting human rights in line with European standards
Protection of human rights in line with European standards and executing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights are among key priorities for the Horizontal Facility actions in the field of justice. By providing technical expertise, capacity building, and support to public actors, the...
Horizontal Facility new publications
Get to know the most recent publications developed and published under the Horizontal Facility programme! They were prepared to assist beneficiaries in the Western Balkans and in Türkiye, and to provide knowledge and valuable resources regarding protection of fundamental human rights in line with...
Supporting fight against discrimination and hate
The anti-discrimination actions in the Western Balkans continue to play a pivotal role in collective efforts of the public authorities and related actors to combat discrimination, racism, hate speech, and hate crimes. Through the provision of expertise, capacity building, and awareness raising...
Transparent and efficient justice system, a necessity for a democratic society
Increasing transparency and efficiency of judiciary institutions through improved court management and performance constitutes a priority of the Horizontal Facility actions working in the field of justice. In this context, the Council of Europe is providing its expertise and key methodologies to...
Building accountable and accessible judicial systems in the Western Balkans
A principal contribution of the Horizontal Facility programme is to enhance the accountability and access of the judicial systems in the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and, thus, ensure better protection of human rights, in line with the European values and the Council of Europe recommendations....
Protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the media in the Western Balkans
The programme has been supporting the main actors in the Western Balkans regarding promotion and protection of freedom of expression and freedom of the media. In this context, beneficiaries’ institutions, civil society organisations or media associations have built their capacities and have...
Ensuring quality education for all
The main goal of the Horizontal Facility education actions has remained unchanged since the beginning of the programme – nurturing inclusive, discrimination-free environment in schools, where democratic culture and education for democratic citizenship are equally valued by students, teachers,...
Advancing the fight against human trafficking
Strengthening prevention of trafficking in human beings and ensuring identification, protection, and access to remedies for victims of trafficking are crucial for upholding standard human rights values. The programme continues to work closely with institutional partners and key actors in the...
Horizontal Facility new publications available online
Check out the most important publications and research materials published in the framework of the programme during the last period. They aim to assist professionals in the region with relevant knowledge, updated information, recent tools, adequate methodologies and related resources covering...
Supporting local actors in the Western Balkans to advance equality and diversity
The anti-discrimination actions being implemented in the Western Balkans Beneficiaries have continued to provide support and assistance to local actors in their efforts to ensure that human rights are protected and respected based on the European standards and values. Important interventions have...
Advancing ongoing reforms in the Western Balkans and Türkiye: Horizontal Facility Phase III kicks off!
The joint European Union and Council of Europe Horizontal Facility II programme came to an end, opening a new third phase, which will allow beneficiaries to forward the ongoing reforms in the Western Balkans and Türkiye and further advance compliance with European standards, including where...
Marking International Human Rights Days
10 December is Human Rights Day. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and serves as an opportunity to recall that human rights are universal. In Montenegro on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day 2022 a series of events was...
Advancing freedom of expression and freedom of the media in the Western Balkans
An essential component of the programme is ensuring freedom of expression and freedom of the media in line with European standards by improving the application of those standards in the Western Balkans. Key interventions were implemented in all the Western Balkans Beneficiaries aiming to advance...
Combatting trafficking in the Western Balkans and in Türkiye
Improving the identification, protection of, and assistance to victims of human trafficking in line with the European standards remained one of the core priorities of the Horizontal Facility II programme. Respective actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye have...