The general objective of this call for proposals is to support civil society in its actions to support the protection and the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide.

This call for proposals is fully in line with the European Consensus on Development[1], the EU’s response to the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The recently adopted European Consensus sets out in an integrated manner the main principles which will guide the approach of the EU and the Member States to cooperation with developing countries over the next 15 years, as well as a strategy for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Consensus reiterates the EU and its Members states commitment to the principles of EU external action, set out in Article 21(1) of the TEU: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

The specific objectives of this call for proposals are to support civil society and human rights defenders working outside the EU in five key areas of human rights corresponding to the five recurring lots of 2014-2017 EIDHR global calls for proposals:

• Lot 1: Supporting Human Rights Defenders in the area of land-related rights, indigenous peoples, in the context of inter alia ‘land grabbing’ and climate change.
• Lot 2: Fighting against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
• Lot 3: Combating forced labour and modern slavery.
• Lot 4: Promoting and supporting the rights of persons with disabilities.
• Lot 5: Supporting freedom of religion or belief.

[1] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/05/19-european-consensus-on-development/