EU funds play a vital role in achieving economic and social progress, as well as other national and EU policy goals. Recent regulations increasingly emphasise respect for fundamental rights where the use of EU money is conditional on the compliance of the programmes with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter).

Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 (CPR 21-27) lays down common provisions on the following eight EU funds:

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
• Cohesion Fund
• Just Transition Fund
• European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
• Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
• Internal Security Fund (ISF)
• Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI).

The CPR 21–27 is binding EU legislation that states the conditions under which these EU funds are programmed and spent. Together, they represent roughly a third of the total EU budget.

These funds are delivered under shared management, which means that the European Commission and national authorities jointly manage the funding. The CPR is complemented by fund-specific regulations, which set out specific rules for the funds.

The CPR 21–27 and the fund-specific regulations are directly applicable in Member States. The CPR puts increased emphasis on fundamental rights. It requires the Commission and Member States to ensure respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter in the implementation of the funds. It also requires that accessibility for persons with disabilities be considered throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes.

Article 9, Sub articles 1-3 of the CPR 21–27: Horizontal principles

1. Member States and the Commission shall ensure respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the implementation of the Funds.
2. Member States and the Commission shall ensure that equality between men and women, gender mainstreaming and the integration of a gender perspective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programmes.
3. Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programmes. In particular, accessibility for persons with disabilities shall be taken into account throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes.

The Human Rights Directorate can provide advice on the Charter and the Horizontal Principles.

In order to seek HRD’s assistance on the application of the EU Charter in EU-funding proposals:

• Prepare a brief of your proposal outlining the aims and objectives, main activities and target groups.
• Go through horizontal principles section and propose points intended to be included in your project application.
• Send an email on [email protected] including the above.
• Include the call under which proposal is being submitted, and deadline of call.

Further information on the application of the Charter as a Horizontal Principle can be found here.