The European Union’s (EU) next long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), will set the Union’s future course. It is essential that it commits sufficient funding to uphold core EU values: fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. ENNHRI recommends, in four submissions to the MFF consultations, directing investment to support actors who work to ensure compliance with EU values, such as National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

The urgency of the situation and necessity of funding

Since 2020, NHRIs have outlined the increasing challenges affecting the rule of law through ENNHRI joint reporting. Moreover, they have documented growing threats to their own enabling environment as well as a deterioration in the conditions facing civil society and human rights defenders (HRDs).

Against this background, it is crucial that the next MFF dedicates sufficient funding to upholding fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. These values – a vital part of the Treaty of the EU – are crucial for ensuring mutual trust, coherence, prosperity, sustainability, and security in the Union.

Equally, further investment in independent institutions – such as NHRIs – and civil society and human rights defenders who protect and promote these values is crucial.

ENNHRI’s recommendations to the European Commission

In response to the MFF consultation, ENNHRI prepared submissions on four topics: values and civil society; EU external action; responses to crisis; and the EU budget’s overall performance. In each, ENNHRI outlines key recommendations to the European Commission.

Looking at EU funding for values and civil society:

• Commit sufficient funding in the new MFF to upholding the EU values outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty of the EU. This includes fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. All are essential for ensuring mutual trust, coherence, prosperity, sustainability, and security in the Union.
• Recognise that the coordination of NHRIs through ENNHRI, the only European network of NHRIs, contributes to the effective implementation of EU common values, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and EU mandates at national level.

Considering EU external action funding:

• Ensure that EU funding for external action is dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law worldwide – including support for the international NHRI accreditation system, their global alliance (GANHRI) and regional networks around the world.
• Recognise NHRIs’ unique position in the national and international human rights architecture, and through that the critical role they play in advancing the EU enlargement process.

Regarding funding for civil protection, preparedness and response to crises:

• Ensure dedicated funding for a human rights-based approach to crisis preparedness and response.
• Support NHRIs’ oversight, advice, and engagement with policymakers at domestic, European or international level to ensure that crisis preparedness and response efforts align with EU values and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.

In terms of the overall performance of the EU budget:

• Continue including and further develop the fundamental rights conditionality of EU funds in the next Common Provision Regulation (CPR) or equivalent.
• Strengthen technical, financial and political support for NHRIs and other independent bodies who take up a role in the implementation of the EU’s CPR fundamental rights conditionality, including through ENNHRI, for facilitating exchange and peer learning.