Human Rights and Sustainable Environment in South-East Europe
The main objective of the project is to strengthen the protection of the environment and human rights in South-East Europe.
Specific objectives:
- Support the relevant authorities in strengthening environmental protection at the domestic level by, inter alia, mapping the existing needs, providing recommendations and capacity-building with a view to improving the legal/regulatory framework and practice.
- Strengthen the knowledge of legal professionals, relevant authorities, civil society organisations, etc. on the link between the protection of human rights and the environment, and the principles of environmental protection deriving from the existing human rights standards.
Main partners and beneficiaries: Legal professionals, judges, prosecutors, relevant authorities, public servants, environmental organisations and agencies, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations.
- Increased understanding of the relevant authorities, legal professionals and civil society organisations of the key environmental issues and their impact on the enjoyment of human rights.
- Increased awareness and strengthened capacities of legal professionals to effectively address environmental issues in domestic courts through the European Convention on Human Rights perspective
Key Activities
- Baseline studies /research/ needs assessments/ publications
- Expert advice and recommendations on the development, review and implementation of laws, regulations, policies and practices
- Trainings/peer-to-peer sessions for varied professionals (judges, lawyers and other legal professionals, relevant authorities, etc.)
- Working groups/expert meetings /focus group meetings
- Study visits to other Council of Europe member states and/or Council of Europe Headquarters in Strasbourg
- Awareness-raising activities and information materials
Project Information
- Duration: 24 months (1 March 2024 – 28 February 2026)
- Country: South-East Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia)
- Budget: 500.000 Euros
- Funding: Human Rights Trust Fund
Un nouveau guide pratique sur les affaires relatives à la protection de l’environnement sous l’angle des droits de l’homme est disponible
Dans le cadre du projet « Human Rights and Sustainable Environment in South-East Europe »[1], une publication intitulée « Guidelines on Environmental Protection Cases Through a Human Rights Lens: Pathway to the European Court of Human Rights » a été publiée. Ce document vise à expliquer comment...
Study visit to the Council of Europe highlights the role of human rights in environmental protection
A study visit and project closing event under the Council of Europe project “Human Rights and Sustainable Environment in South-East Europe” took place in Strasbourg from 20 to 22 January 2026, bringing together 36 representatives of governance and legal stakeholders from across South-East Europe....
Regional round table on Human Rights and Environmental Protection: Prosecutorial Responsibilities in Criminal Law
On 29 and 30 October, 36 prosecutors and inspectors from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Montenegro gathered for a regional round table on Human Rights and Environmental Protection: Prosecutorial Responsibilities in Criminal Law. The event created a dynamic...
Key information and documentation
