Source: European Parliament
The work of civil society organisations (CSOs), including those defending the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ) rights, provide an important contribution to partner countries’ reform efforts, including in view of their accession to the EU.
Respect for human rights is an essential value upon which the EU is founded (Article 2 of the Treaty on EU). Also, judiciary and fundamental rights are at the heart of the EU accession negotiations[1].
The Commission thus expects candidate countries to uphold these values, adopt and implement legislative reforms to that end. This notably includes ensuring that institutions promoting and protecting human rights and non-discrimination, such as equality bodies, are given the means to operate effectively.
The Commission supports civil society and media freedom in the Western Balkans and Türkiye through the Instrument for Pre-accession, which for 2021-2027 earmarked circa EUR 470 million through dedicated programmes, namely the Civil Society Facility[2] and the Media Programme.
CSOs in the region can also benefit from funding under the Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy[3] under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe.
These programmes provide essential support and contribute to countering the rhetoric in the region against human rights, democratic values, rule of law and free independent media.
The Commission is actively monitoring the impact of the United States (U.S.) Agency for International Development’s withdrawal and broader international U.S. support, to identify critical needs in the region. The global scale of the challenge requires a collective response beyond the Commission.
The Commission will continue to support the LGBTIQ community and human rights defenders, while reinforcing its political dialogue with enlargement partners .
The Commission will renew its efforts to advance LGBTIQ equality, through the adoption of a new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2026-2030.