The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values ​​(CERV) programme was launched in 2021 for a duration of seven years, until 2027. It was created at the same time as the 2021-2027 Justice programme under the Justice, Rights and Values ​​Fund.

The aim of the CERV programme is to sustain and develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies, based on the rule of law. To this end, it promotes a dynamic and empowered civil society, fostering democratic, civic and social participation of people and cultivating the rich diversity of European society based on our common values, history and memory.

The programme is based on four pillars:

• Equality, rights and gender equality: promoting rights, non-discrimination, equality (including gender equality) and advancing gender mainstreaming and non-discrimination.
• Citizens' engagement and participation: promoting citizens' engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union, exchanges between citizens from different Member States and raising awareness of the common European history.
• Daphne: combating violence, including gender-based violence and violence against children.
• Union values: protecting and promoting Union values.

Civil society organisations active at local, regional, national and transnational level, as well as other stakeholders, can apply for funding from the CESR programme for initiatives in favour of citizens' participation, equality for all and the protection and promotion of EU rights and values.