Introduction
The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is a European Union programme that aims to promote democracy and human rights worldwide through support to civil society initiatives. The EIDHR was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in March 2014 (Regulation No. 235/2014) for the period 2014-2020 by replacing and building upon the EIDHR (2007-2013) and European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (2000-2006). The EIDHR is currently funding more than 1200 projects in over 100 countries.
This instrument is designed to support civil society to become an effective force for political reform and defence of human rights. In doing this, it complements the geographical programmes, which focus on public institutionbuilding. The EIDHR offers independence of action, which is a critical feature of cooperation with civil society organisations at national level, especially in the sensitive areas of democracy and human rights. Great flexibility and increased
capacity to respond to changing circumstances or to support innovation. The EIDHR has considerable independence of action since it does not need the consent of the governments of the countries concerned for the financing of activities, are among the features of the new instrument.
Eligibility
Funding by the EIDHR is open to most legal entities with the exception of the direct
funding of political parties. Depending on the specific objectives of each action/call for proposal the entities eligible
for funding are:
- civil society organisations;
- independent political foundations;
- public- and private-sector non-profit organisations;
- national, regional and international parliamentary bodies (where the proposed measure
- cannot be financed under a related Community external assistance instrument);
- international and regional inter-governmental organisations;
- natural persons (where their help is necessary for achieving the aims of the EIDHR) from
- countries (except EU and industrialised countries).