The first Work Programme for both the Justice and CERV programmes under the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) covers two years (2021 and 2022). The Work Programmes define the political objectives and priorities of the two programmes in the medium term, thus giving more time to (potential) beneficiaries to develop actions and look for partnerships. A two-year approach improves stability, while still allowing for the necessary flexibility, periodic changes and the introduction of new ideas, taking into account emerging policy priorities.

Work Programme for the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme

The CERV programme brings together the former Rights, Equality and Citizenship and Europe for Citizens programmes.

The new actions which will be financed under the Union values strand will strengthen the protection and promotion of the rule of law and democratic dialogue, transparency and good governance by supporting, empowering and building the capacity of civil society organisations active in the promotion of values and rights, at local, regional, national and transnational level.

In particular, the CERV programme will finance actions based on the following objectives:

• protecting and promoting Union values;
• promoting rights, non-discrimination and equality, including gender equality and advancing gender mainstreaming and the mainstreaming of non-discrimination;
• promoting citizens' engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union and exchanges between citizens of different Member States and raising awareness of their common European history;
• preventing and combating gender-based violence and violence against children.

The CERV Work Programme for 2021 and 2022 is published here.

Work Programme for the Justice programme

Significant progress has been achieved under the Justice programme in the previous Multiannual Financial Framework period and, from 2021 to 2027, the programme will continue addressing several gaps that persist in the policy areas it covers as well as tackle new emerging challenges.

Specifically, the Justice programme will support the further development of a European area of justice by financing actions based on the following goals:

• supporting judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters and promoting the rule of law, independence and impartiality of the judiciary;
• promoting judicial training, with a view to foster a common legal, judicial and rule of law culture as well as the consistent and effective implementation of the Union’s legal instruments relevant to civil law, criminal law and fundamental rights;
• facilitating effective and non-discriminatory access to justice for all and effective redress, including by electronic means (e-justice),  by promoting and supporting the rights of all victims of crime as well as the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings.

The Justice Work Programme for 2021 and 2022 is published here.