In the framework of the joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe "Regional Support to Reinforce Human rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme IV) the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe leads a project which aims at strengthening the capacities of civil society in the region to improve the protection and support provided to victims of violence against women and domestic violence.

Furthermore, on the one hand, the project is promoting regional cooperation and exchange of good practices and on the other hand, the multi-sectoral coordination efforts. Both human rights-based and victim-centred approaches are used as methodology to ensure that women and girls victim of violence have greater access to protection structures and services.

Eight civil society organisations specialised in the provision of protection services for women victims will benefit from a grant and a training on the protection of victims in the Southern Mediterranean based on the Istanbul Convention provisions, as well as guidance to implement a project related to the current challenges.

The projects that will be supported as part of this regional grant scheme, until the end of the year 2021 are:

Improved access for women victims/survivors of gender-based violence to basic services necessary for their protection -Translated from French - (Association Djazairouna des familles victimes du terrorisme islamiste, Algeria);

Strengthen multi-sectoral partnership to combat gender based violence (Edraak Foundation for Development and Equality, Egypt);

Improving the Quality of Services provided to Abused Women (The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, Egypt);

Improve the implementation of national gender-based violence protection and support mechanisms in Jordan (Journalists for Human Rights);

Supporting survivors of Economic gender based violence against women in a marginalized community in Lebanon - Raising awareness and Creating a Women Led Solidarity Group (Collective for Research and Training on Development Action, Lebanon);

Contribute to respect for the right of the population to a life free of violence and to a better enjoyment of the highest possible level of physical, mental and social well-being (Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale de l'Oriental, Morocco);

Training Duty-Bearers to Support Violence Survivors (Sawa Organization - All Together Today and Tomorrow, Palestine*);

Empowering single mothers to protect them from violence and improve their living conditions (Kadirat for parity and solidarity, Tunisia);

* 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.