Launched in 2012, the South Programme operationalises the close and long-standing tripartite partnership between the European Union, the Council of Europe and the partner authorities in the region based on common values. Building on its four successive phases2 , South Programme V continues to support democratic reforms in the Southern Mediterranean through the establishment of a common legal space between Europe and this region.

The focus of the fifth phase is on action with regional dimension to address common interests and challenges, facilitate knowledge sharing and lessons learned on a range of topics. These include: fight against organised crime (corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing; trafficking in human beings), support for administrative and judicial reforms in the region; promotion of independence, efficiency and quality of justice; combating of violence against women and children; ensuring the rights to access to information, protection of personal data and freedom of expression; combating of drug abuse; empowering of civil society, in particular youth and women, through intercultural dialogue, global citizenship education and democratic governance.

The flexible and demand-driven approach of the programme enables to respond to the specific needs and requests for assistance of the programme partners, especially through the Quick Response Mechanism (QRM), which provides targeted legislative and policy advice to priority-related reforms.

The South Programme V is coordinated by the Council of Europe Regional Office in Tunis.

To better protect human rights, rule of law and democracy in the Southern Mediterranean region in line with European and international standards.

The South Programme V has three key components which aim to :

1. Facilitate the progressive creation of an enlarged common legal space between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean region based on European and international standards

• Output 1.1: Partners participate in Council of Europe conventions and Partial Agreements, including in monitoring mechanisms as relevant;
• Output 1.2: Partners revise legislation in core areas related to human rights, rule of law and democracy in accordance with European and international standards, including with the support of the QRM.

2. Strengthen capacities to address global challenges through common tools and responses based on European and international standards

• Output 2.1: Strategies, tools and, mechanisms regarding global challenges to human rights, democracy and rule of law are developed;
• Output 2.2: Capacities and awareness of representatives of relevant bodies, professionals and civil society are increased to jointly address global challenges, including through the CoE HELP Programme.

3. Enhance co-operation and dialogue on human rights, rule of law and democracy within the Southern Mediterranean region and between the region and Europe

• Output 3.1: Existing networks of the Council of Europe are consolidated and expanded.
• Output 3.2: New networks, including with civil society, are created to ensure sustained and structured co-operation and dialogue between the Southern Mediterranean partners and to improve practices.