The European Parliament adopted by 472 votes to 129, with 41 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council etablishing the Rights and Values programme.
The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows:
The proposed Regulation shall establish a programme called "Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values" for the period 2021-2027, with the following general objectives:
Union values strand
The Programme shall focus on protecting, promoting and raising awareness on rights by providing financial support to civil society organisations active at local, regional and transnational level in promoting and cultivating these rights, thereby also strengthening the protection and promotion of Union values and the respect for the rule of law and contributing to the construction of a more democratic Union, democratic dialogue, transparency and good governance.
Equality, Rights and Gender Equality strand
The Programme shall focus on promoting equality and preventing and combating inequalities and discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin.
It shall also focus on: (i) promoting women’s full enjoyment of rights, gender equality, including work-life balance, women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming; (ii) combating racism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and interphobia and intolerance on the basis of gender identity, both online and offline; (iii) protecting and promoting the rights of the child and persons with disabilities; (iv) protecting and promoting Union citizenship rights and the right to the protection of personal data.
Citizens engagement and participation strand
The Programme shall focus on:
- supporting projects aimed at commemorating defining events in modern European history, including the causes and consequences of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, and at raising awareness among European citizens, of their common history, culture, cultural heritage and values, thereby enhancing their understanding of the Union, its origins, purpose, diversity and achievements and of the importance of mutual understanding and tolerance;
- promoting citizens and representative associations’ participation in and contribution to the democratic and civic life of the Union by making known and publicly exchanging their views in all areas on Union action;
- promoting exchanges between citizens of different countries, in particular through town-twinning and networks of towns, so as to afford them practical experience of the wealth and diversity of the common heritage of the Union and to make them aware that these constitute the foundation for a common future.
Daphne strand
The Programme shall focus on preventing and combating at all levels all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls and domestic violence, also by promoting the standards laid down in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention). It shall support and protect all direct and indirect victims of such violence, such as domestic violence exerted within the family or violence in intimate relationships.
Budget
Parliament proposed the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021-2027 to be EUR 1 627 000 000 in 2018 prices [EUR 1 834 000 000 in current prices]. It shall be divided as follows:
- EUR 754 062 000 for the new Union values strand;
- EUR 429 372 000 (i.e. 26.39% of the total financial envelope) for the Equality, rights and gender equality and Daphne strand;
- EUR 443 566 000 (i.e. 27.26% of the total financial envelope) for the Active citizenship strand
Civil Dialogue Group
The Commission shall set up a ‘Civil Dialogue Group’ aimed at ensuring a regular, open and transparent dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Programme and other relevant stakeholders in order to exchange experiences and good practices and to discuss policy developments within the fields and objectives covered by the Programme and related fields.