Joint letter to EU decision-makers on funding human rights and equality for all

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While EU decision makers are currently negotiating the EU long-term budget, non-discrimination civil society networks are joining forces to urge for an EU recovery plan and budget that effectively reinforces EU fundamental values of respect for human rights, equality and solidarity.


Discussions between the three main EU institutions (the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament) are ongoing on the basis of a budget proposal for 2021-2027 made by the European Commission last May. This proposal is aimed to implement EU’s recovery plan and includes a new emergency temporary recovery instrument entitled Next Generation EU that will help repair the immediate economic and social damage brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet, this proposal provides for funding from the “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values” programme, which is far from being sufficient to supports the critical work of civil society organisations at local and national level in countering the backlash against fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law within the EU.

In a joint letter, AGE Platform Europe together with the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), the European Disability Forum (EDF), the European Network against Racism (ENAR) and ILGA Europe are urging the EU leaders to adopt an EU budget that ensures EU democratic and fundamental values can be protected on the ground. To allow this, we call for funds to the Citizens, Equality, Rights & Values programme be increased to €1.83 billion, as requested by the European Parliament.

Read our joint letter here

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