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Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) is the EU's funding programme for citizens' engagement and the implementation of EU rights and values. It replaces both Europe for Citizens and the Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme.
This call seeks projects that explore how the transition from authoritarian or totalitarian regimes to democracy in Europe informs the protection and strengthening of democratic values today.
The EU is a community of values, and all its Member States committed to respect the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental rights. Europe's experiences in the 20th century demonstrates the need for resilient democracies and the need for people to actively engage in and protect democratic institutions and values. Historical experience such as in the 1920s and 1930s, when some European democracies went through particularly challenging times, are stark reminders of the importance to promote democracy, also in a historical perspective. Today, democracy faces several challenges, which underlined the need to strengthen public trust in democratic processes and institutions and to recall the importance of democracy in people’s daily life.
Democratic transitions (defined as the transition from a non-democratic to a democratic system, a transition undertaken by several European countries before joining the EU) are not only political and legal processes but also societal transformations.The transition and consolidation of democracies through institutional and legal reforms has been essential. In addition, delivering justice to victims and affected communities after the fall of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes (including communist and fascist dictatorships) can aid in societal healing, bolster and reinforce resilience against present and future threats to democracies.
Projects under this topic can focus on:
The elements described above to strengthen democracies, such as fighting foreign interference, strengthen citizen engagement, critical thinking, media literacy, and societal resilience, are closely related to the context of remembrance, as they help ensure that the dramatic events of the past are not repeated in contemporary Europe.
For further information about the call and its conditions, please see the Call document.
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
For lead applicants (i.e., the “Coordinator”):
For co-applicants:
+ be non-profit or for profit legal entities (public or private bodies). Organisations which are for profit may apply only in partnership with public entities, private non-profit organisations or with international organisations
+ be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
Other eligibility conditions:
Projects can be either national or transnational.
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 2 applicants (lead applicant ("Coordinator") and at least one co-applicant, not being affiliated entity or associated partner).
Projects should normally range between 12 and 24 months.
EUR 1.900.000
The minimum grant requested cannot be lower than EUR 50.000
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