The work of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union on Democracy & Development is based on the understanding that democracy and development are a socio-political processes driven by citizens.
 
The adoption by the EU of subsequent constitutive treaties has created sufficient provision for the respect of human rights within EU internal and external policies including Common Foreign and Security Policy, trade, cooperation and development. Thus, the EU's external relations' activities must not only respect but also promote human rights and democratic development. Legal provisions on gender equality are, unfortunately, less consistent. 
 
The hbs European Union promotes the integration and implementation of existing EU legal provisions on democracy, human rights, gender equality, sustainable development and civil society participation in the contractual relations with developing countries. This is put into practice with active participation from partners in Brussels and abroad.