Provisional deal on financial programme to support justice area for 2021-2027 

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On Friday, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on justice funds aimed at strengthening democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in the EU.

The MFF Justice Programme aims at fostering an EU area of justice based on rule of law, mutual recognition, trust and judicial cooperation. Negotiators agreed on the EUR 305 million (in current prices) budget for the Programme, of which at least 36% will be dedicated to judicial training with a view to fostering a common legal, judicial and rule of law culture.

Overall, activities related to awareness raising, mutual learning, analytical and monitoring activities, training stakeholders, development of e-justice tools, supporting civil society organisations and NGOs will be funded in the next seven year period. The Programme also aims to promote gender equality, the rights of the child, the protection of victims and the effective application of the principle of equal rights and non-discrimination.

More specifically, the 2021-2027 Justice Programme aims to:

  • facilitate and support judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, promote the rule of law, independence and impartiality of the judiciary (27% of the resources);
  • support and promote judicial training, with a view to fostering a common legal, judicial and rule of law culture (36% of the resources);
  • facilitate effective and non-discriminatory access to justice for all, and effective redress, including by electronic means (e-justice) (27% of the resources). The remaining 10% of the funds will be used as appropriate for the promotion of rule of law.

The Commission will report annually on the performance of the Programme and use of the funds to each specific objective, including actions linked to promotion of gender equality, which was a priority for EP negotiators. The Programme will also contribute to mainstreaming climate action and the achievement of EU’s overall target of at least 30% of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives and the ambition of 7.5% of the budget reflecting biodiversity expenditures in 2024.

Quotes after the agreement

Heidi Hautala (Greens/EFA, FI), rapporteur, said: “Well-functioning, competent and independent judiciary is the backbone of rule of law. European and member states’ courts defend and enforce fundamental and human rights of European citizens every day.

The EU Justice Programme strengthens the core competences of the judiciary: judicial cooperation, promotion of the rule of law culture and access to justice with a specific emphasis on the rights of victims.

The Programme supports gender mainstreaming and non-discrimination in all its activities. It is also aligned with the European Green Deal and the EU’s climate and biodiversity policies.”

Next steps

The three institutions will carry out further technical work on the regulation, before the agreement can be formally approved by Parliament and Council.

Background

During the previous mandate of the Parliament, EU co-legislators had secured a partial agreement, leaving the budgetary allocations outside its scope. The new Justice programme will replace the current Justice programme (2014-2020) from 1 January 2021. Together with the Rights and Values Programme, they constitute the Justice, Rights and Values fund.