Implemented in the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme “Regional Support to Reinforce Human rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme IV), the project Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for the Protection of Women and Girls against Violence aims to improve protection mechanisms of women and girls victims/survivors of gender-based violence in the Southern Mediterranean region. The project supports efforts of local, national and regional actors by organising capacity-building activities and creating exchange and cooperation opportunities for regional actors working on the protection of women and girls.

about the project

Combating violence against women and girls in the Southern Mediterranean region is a priority area of the South Programme IV.

In this framework, the North South Centre of the Council of Europe supports co-operation for the protection of women and girls in the region through three types of activities:

  • Regional Grant Scheme for Civil Society Organisations working on the ground on protecting and supporting victims/survivors of violence;
  • Training on protection legal standards, tailored to the needs of Civil Society Organisations in the region;
  • Peer-exchange and cooperation between civil society, governments, parliaments and international organisations.
Peer-exchange and cooperation

Peer-exchange and cooperation between civil society, governments, parliaments and international organisations is a transversal priority of the project. Whereas many activities implemented by the beneficiary organisations are involving decision makers, the tutored training course also counts on the participation of members of local or national governmental institutions, thus contributing to strengthening the cooperation among complementary actors.

regional grant scheme

Civil Society Organisations play an essential role in improving protection and support mechanisms for victims/survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for the Protection of Women and Girls against Violence acknowledges that projects implemented by Civil Society Organisations can improve the access of women and girls to protection and support mechanisms while ensuring human rights and victim-centred approaches.

The grantees of the Regional Grant Scheme foresee more than 30 activities, covering a wide range of topics related to violence, such as raising awareness on economic GBV, empowering and protecting single mothers, creating a unified referral system for victims/survivors of GBV, improving access to justice or promoting journalism good practices and media outreach.

Training on protection legal standards

The project Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for the Protection of Women and Girls against Violence includes an online training for civil society actors who are at the forefront of victims/survivor’s protection. It will enhance their knowledge and capacities to use the regional and Council of Europe standards on combating violence against women and girls in their daily work. The training is based on the Istanbul Convention mechanisms and standards for protecting and supporting women and girls from violence, but it is tailored to the regional context and the specific needs of Civil Society Organisations working on combating violence against women and girls.

This customised training course, based on the existing Course on Violence Against Women of the Council of Europe Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) is delivered through weekly online sessions open to the participation of beneficiary organisations and governmental authorities working on women and girls’ protection. This format allows not only to strengthen capabilities and expertise, but also to foster a common understanding of definitions among key stakeholders. 

grantees actions in 2021


Actors involved : Civil Society Organisations, local and national authorities, public prosecutors, providers of protection and support services, health professionals, psychologists, journalists and media professionals, legal professionals, teachers and school counsellors, community leaders,...

Final beneficiaries : Women and girls’ victims/survivors of violence, single mothers, migrant women,...

Final conference

“Protecting Girls, reinforcing the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation to protect girls against gender based violence” opens the discussion on both a regional and societal level, considering the challenges and solutions to protect girls against violence and strengthen the legal and social infrastructure to support victims. The conference will also present recommendations and initiatives from civil society actors.

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Joint Programme South Programme IV

   This project is implemented in the framework of the programme "Regional Support to Reinforce Human rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme IV), a joint initiative, financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the latter, with the objective to support democratic reforms in the Southern Mediterranean region.

The views expressed in this webpage can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or the Council of Europe.

* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of Council of Europe and European Union member States on this issue.