Validity Foundation - Mental Disability Advocacy Centre



EU Funds for Fundamental Rights

101143162 – FURI

 

Project description

EU funds have an obligation to comply with legal requirements, in particular the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Yet, over the past years, non-governmental organizations have uncovered several EU funds projects where the fundamental rights of groups in vulnerable situation (Roma, people with disabilities, people with a migrant background, etc.) have been violated, such as discriminative treatment, reinforced educational and housing segregation, institutionalization of people with disabilities, etc. The violations concern the Charter, but also other fundamental rights instruments, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). The project aims to strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders at EU and national level (6 Member States namely Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary Greece, Poland, Romania) to: raise awareness on the applicability of the Charter in EU funding, monitor the implementation of the Charter in EU funding, ensure compliance of EU funding with the Charter.

In response to the identified needs, the project aims to achieve the following objectives:

  • Increase awareness about the applicability of the Charter in EU funding.
  • Enhance the capacity of relevant stakeholders at both EU and national levels, focusing on the six member states: Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Greece, Poland, and Romania.
  • Monitor the implementation of the Charter in EU funding and ensure compliance with its principles.

 

It will seek to:

  • Identify, collect and analyse cases of alleged fundamental rights violations in EU funds projects targeting and/or (in)directly impacting marginalised groups (Roma, people with disabilities, people with a migrant background, etc.).
  • Implement capacity building activities targeting NGOs, experts, lawyers, fundamental rights bodies and local activists on addressing fundamental rights violations in the Charter will be launched through workshops, advocacy and legal instruments (e.g. amendment of relevant policies and/or legislations, litigation, submission of complaints to national and EU authorities, etc).
  • Raise European public awareness about the implementation of fundamental requirements and their deviations, to which the EU funds are subjected.

 

Expertise

The project consortium brings together the collective expertise of eight partners, each dedicated to supporting marginalised communities across the European Union. The Greek Council of Refugees (GCR) serves as the project coordinator, leveraging nearly 30 years of experience in asylum and fundamental rights advocacy in Greece. GCR will also oversee the implementation of project activities within Greece.

 

Bridge EU, a thematic coordinator specialising in EU funds and policy development, will provide crucial support in shaping the project’s strategy both at the EU and national levels. Additionally, the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and Validity Foundation will act as international partners, working with EU and Council of Europe organisations to reinforce the monitoring of how EU funds are used in promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.

 

The consortium also includes five national partners, each specialising in supporting different groups in a vulnerable situation in their respective countries. These national partners will implement project activities at the national level, ensuring a comprehensive and localised approach to achieving the project’s objectives.

  • Awen Amenca In Czechia: Set up in 2013, AA undertakes a wide range of activities to desegregate education in Czechia, including campaigning, advocacy, community organising and litigation.
  • Partners Hungary Foundation in Hungary: aims to strengthen the capacity of marginalised local communities (Roma) by reinforcing the dialogue between individuals, representatives of the community, mainstream society, etc. PH works in different fields such as education, social integration and conflict management.
  • Policy Center for Roma and Minorities in Romania: is a non-governmental think-tank which act towards solving social inclusion issues of Roma and other ethnical minorities. The activities include educational actions (e.g. afternoon schooling, extra-curricular activities) for children living in segregated neighbourhoods), skills development, advocacy (national and EU)
  • Network of Independent Experts in Bulgaria: is an independent network of human rights experts, advocacy enthusiasts and professionals in the protection of disadvantaged people. A priority area is the rights of persons with disabilities and deinstitutionalisaton. To achieve their objectives; NIE undertakes a wide range of activities including litigation, research, advocacy, events, trainings etc. NIE has experience in submitting complaints of EU funds for fundamental rights violations.
  • Instytut Niezaleznego Zycia in Poland: aims to supporting and monitoring the implementation of the CRPD in Poland, focusing on independent living. Activities include conducting research, organising events, advocacy, capacity building, information and promotion activities, preparation of standards, collection of good practices. INZ has experience in submitting complaints of EU funds for fundamental rights violations.

Legal background 

Consortium Partners 

 

Duration of the project

The FURI project commenced on 1 March 2024, and will conclude on 28 February 2026.

 

Full name of the project

EU Funds for Fundamental Rights (101143162- FURI- CERV-2023-CHAR-LITI).

This project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

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