The multi-country programme supports Council of Europe member and non-member states in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence by advancing the standards of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). It promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach based on the convention’s four pillars: prevention, protection of victims, prosecution of perpetrators, and co-ordinated policies.
About the programme

Building on the results of the previous programme activities (2022-2025), the programme for 2026-2029 provides targeted and tailor-made support to beneficiary countries, upon request, while generating knowledge and practical tools. It is grounded in Council of Europe standards and promotes the use of relevant Council of Europe resources on gender equality and the prevention of violence against women. 

The programme supports both the ratification and effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention, including through targeted and blended responses to the findings of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) and the recommendations of the Committee of the Parties, where applicable.

Recognising violence against women as a complex and multi-dimensional violation of human rights, the programme adopts a holistic approach in line with the Istanbul Convention, the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029, other relevant Council of Europe standards, and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Duration

 1 January 2026  – 31 December 2029

Contacts

The project is implemented by the Capacity Building and Co-operation Projects Unit of the Council of Europe's Gender Equality Division.

 Larissa KIREEVA
Project Manager

 Clara GARCIN
Project Assistant

News
Main activities

The programme focuses on:

  • Supporting the review of legislation and the preparation of legal analyses to facilitate the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.
  • Providing legal and operational advice to establish and strengthen relevant institutions and mechanisms, including co-ordinating bodies, inter-institutional protocols, service delivery frameworks, and staff training to ensure effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention;
  • Advising on policies and strategies to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, in line with the Istanbul Convention;
  • Conducting research, needs assessments and gap analyses with particular attention to primary prevention;
  • Developing tools and training materials to raise awareness of the Istanbul Convention standards among key stakeholders, including public authorities, front-line professionals, civil society organisations, and the media;
  • Implementing awareness-raising and outreach activities to promote understanding of the Istanbul Convention and encourage active engagement in preventing and combating violence against women;
  • Facilitating platforms for dialogie, the exchange of good practices and lessons learned, and the strengthening of civil society's role in promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women.

  Civil society campaigns

 Methodology and advocacy tools to raise awareness on the Istanbul Convention