HELP in the EU Phase IV
The main partners of the Project are EU national training institutions and bar associations, with the Spanish Bar Association as key partner.
The main beneficiaries are lawyers, judges and prosecutors from EU countries.
The main aim is to contribute to an increased protection of fundamental rights and rule of law in the EU member states in areas such as fundamental rights and rule of law, including children’s rights, ethics for judges, prosecutors and lawyers, family law, international cooperation in criminal matters, procedural safeguards in criminal proceedings and victims’ rights etc.
The specific objectives are:
- To enhance EU legal professionals’ capacities to effectively and coherently apply European fundamental rights standards at the national level and through cross-border training, mainly referring to the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights (the Charter), the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the (revised) European Social Charter (ESC) and other relevant EU and Council of Europe law.
- To strengthen the HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal professionals) Network of Judicial Training Institutions and Bar Associations in the EU and increase mutual trust between EU practitioners.
Project information
- Project title: EU-CoE HELP EU IV
- Duration: 30 months (1 November 2024 – 31 May 2027)
- Place/ country: European Union
- Budget: 1 088 243.50 €
- Funding: Joint Programme, funded by the EU and the Council of Europe, implemented by the Council of Europe
Project documentation
- Project summary
HELP course launches bring together justice professionals from across the EU to tackle challenges related to AI and Human Rights
On 19 and 20 March 2026, the Council of Europe launched the HELP course on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights for 100 judges, prosecutors, court staff and lawyers from Slovakia and countries across the EU. Funded by the European Union’s Justice Programme (2021–2027) under the EU-CoE HELP...
Judges and prosecutors from across the EU met in Belgium to begin training on violence against women, including technology-facilitated forms
On 26 February 2026, the Belgian Judicial Training Institute hosted the launch of the HELP course on Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, to which a new short course on Technology-facilitated Violence against Women and Girls was added. The event was organised in the framework of the...
HELP EU Seminar Unites Legal Training Institutions in Collaborative Forum on Human Rights Training in the Digital Age
On 19–20 February 2026, approximately 50 distinguished representatives from national legal training institutions for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers convened both in Strasbourg and online to participate in the biennial HELP EU Contact Points Seminar. This high-profile event was organised within...
Strengthening Justice in Europe: Seminar and launch of HELP course on CEPEJ for EU judges and prosecutors
On 22-23 October 2025, over 50 judges and prosecutors from 18 EU states gathered in Valletta, Malta, for a 1.5 day thematic seminar and the launch of the Council of Europe HELP course on Quality of Justice – the Work of the CEPEJ. The event was jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the...
Exploring Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Human Rights: A Seminar for EU Judges and Prosecutors
On 17 and 18 June 2025, fifty judges and prosecutors from EU Member States gathered - both in person In Krakow (Poland) and online - for an international seminar marking the launch of the HELP course on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. The event was organised in cooperation with the...
New HELP-EJTN Seminar empowers EU Judges and Prosecutors to Uphold the Rule of Law
On 27 and 28 May 2025, fifty judges and prosecutors from fifteen EU Member States gathered—both in person at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg and online—for an international seminar marking the launch of the HELP-EJTN course on Judges Upholding the Rule of Law. The event was organised...
Launch of the HELP course on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters for judges and prosecutors across the EU and the Southern Mediterranean region
On 23 and 24 April 2025, judges, prosecutors and lawyers from EU members states and from the Southern Mediterranean region attended the launch of the HELP course on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters (ICCM). The event took place at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon, Portugal; it was...
Children's Rights in the Digital Environment
Developed jointly with Council of Europe Children’s Rights Division.
Published: October 2025
Length: 1h15
The course is available here: Children's Rights in the Digital Environment (1h15) | HELP Programme
Read course brief
The short course of has the following sections:
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Introduction |
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Opportunities and risks for children in the digital environment |
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International legal framework |
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Fundamental principles in the digital environment |
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Key rights of the child in the digital environment |
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Children’s rights and emerging technologies |
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Key points |
Access to Justice in the Digital Environment
Published: November 2025
Length: 2.5 hours
Course available here: Course: Access to Justice in the Digital Environment (2.5 hours) | HELP Programme
Read course brief
The Short course has the following sections:
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Introduction
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Digitalising Justice: Opportunities, Challenges and Risks
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Key principles of e-justice
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Digital Justice Tools
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Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice
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Key points, resources and knowledge check
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