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Highlights - Council of Europe and EEA&Norway Grants
Highlights | July - October 2026

From progress made by five Mission-Driven Initiatives to stories and upcoming developments, this issue brings you the highlights of a dynamic and results-driven co-operation. Scroll through to discover how the Council of Europe and the EEA and Norway Grants are turning shared values into concrete actions across Europe.

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FOCUS – NO HATE SPEECH WEEK
FOCUS – NO HATE SPEECH WEEK

Hate is a threat to European cohesion. Effective response is crucial.

Hate can spread rapidly online, leaving young people and groups at risk of discrimination, exclusion or hatred, particularly exposed. Its impact can be further amplified by coordinated and cross-border anti-rights campaigns. The Council of Europe and the EEA and Norway Grants are working together to strengthen effective responses. By bringing experts from different sectors, they support beneficiary countries in preventing and combating hate. Example of this commitment was on display during the Council of Europe's 2026 No Hate Speech Week, which brought participants together to share experiences and explore practical responses.

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Story: a Romanian prosecutor's testimony on hate crime
Cătălin Popescu is actively contributing to transforming how Romania identifies and responds to hate crime.
Story: a Romanian prosecutor's testimony on hate crime
After nearly 30 years of prosecuting crimes, his testimony, along with those of others, is helping to improve our understanding of national needs and inform the development of practical tools for beneficiary countries. He’s now supporting a Council of Europe manual on criminalised hate speech, prepared under a Mission-Driven Initiative, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants…
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UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS

On 2 and 3 November, the Council of Europe will host the annual World Forum for Democracy, a must-attend event bringing together political leaders and representatives of civil society, academia and young people from across the globe. Join us to exchange on Strengthening Societal Resilience to Disinformation, a session that will discuss our RESIST Initiative…

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DEMOCRACY THROUGH THE RULE OF LAW
2nd Edition of the Rule of Law Forum
2nd Edition of the Rule of Law Forum
“A democratic country governed by the Rule of Law cannot turn a deaf ear to the young generations and cannot perpetuate the mentality of 'the winner takes all'. We live in a world captivated by power exercised as force and domination. Against this mindset, we defend the Rule of Law as a contribution to contrast violence, destruction, and war, and as an unwavering commitment to a peaceful and inclusive coexistence for all”, recently said Marta Cartabia, President of the Venice Commission, at the 2nd Edition of the Rule of Law Forum in Bucharest. She thanked the EEA and Norway Grants for making possible the translation of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe’s Updated Rule of Law Checklist in Romanian…
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BUILDING STRONGER CIVIC SPACES
Training on disinformation planned for 2027

As part of the RESIST initiative, a new training programme on disinformation is being developed and is expected to be ready in early 2027. 

Training on disinformation planned for 2027
Designed for different national audiences, the training programme will be adaptable to each country’s needs and can support the development of national curricula. Its aim is not only to raise awareness, but to build lasting knowledge and help people across Europe navigate today’s information with greater confidence.
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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Better tackling perpetrators’ reoffending
Better tackling perpetrators’ reoffending
Strengthening programmes for perpetrators of violence against women was the focus of a Conference in June, where participants from 11 Council of Europe member states including Slovenia, Latvia and Greece, three beneficiary states, proposed concrete solutions that will guide the work of the Pathways Initiative. Every woman has the right to live free from violence. Yet across Europe, violence against women remains one of the most widespread human rights violations. Pathways Initiative’s tools make it possible to support victims more effectively and prevent further harm. Discover the ideas of participants from Greece and Slovenia, who explained the importance of perpetrator programmes…
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FIGHTING ECONOMIC CRIMES FOR FAIRER SOCIETIES
Solutions discussed to better handle criminal assets
Solutions discussed to better handle criminal assets

Corruption takes resources from communities, erodes trust in public institutions, and undermines the fairness people expect. When criminal assets are managed effectively, authorities demonstrate that public institutions protect the citizens they serve. In June, experts from beneficiary states discussed practical solutions to ensure that property recovered from criminals is managed transparently, responsibly and effectively. They also assessed whether existing institutional arrangements in their countries adequately support this work.

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Solutions discussed to better handle criminal assets
A new methodology underway

The Economic Crime Initiative also explored ways to improve how countries collect, record, and compare statistical data on recovery and management of criminal assets. Better harmonised data will help address a longstanding problem in measuring how well countries recover and manage these assets. The findings helped the development of a new methodology, giving beneficiary states a practical tool to produce consistent statistics and strengthen the performance of their asset recovery and asset management practices.

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COUNCIL OF EUROPE SUPPORT TO BENEFICIARY STATES

The Council of Europe acts as an International Partner Organisation in 10 beneficiary states of the EEA and Norway Grants. Its role is to provide expert advice to support programme development and implementation and help ensure that activities align with international and European standards in the following countries: 

  • Bulgaria – Justice Programme (with the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice)
  • Croatia – Justice Programme (with the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation)
  • Hungary – Roma Inclusion and Empowerment (with the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development)
  • Latvia – Correctional Services (with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia)
  • Lithuania – Justice Programme (with the Central Project Management Agency)
  • Poland – Justice Programme (with the Ministry of Justice)
  • Portugal – Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Programme (with the Portuguese Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality)
  • Romania – Justice Programme (with the Ministry of Investments and European Projects) and Home Affairs Programme (working together with Ministry of Internal Affairs)
  • Slovakia – Social Programme (with the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation of the Slovak Republic)
  • Slovenia – Local Development Programme (with the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development)
 
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STAY UPDATED: FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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These highlights are part of the Council of Europe co-operation with the EEA and Norway Grants.

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Council of Europe co-operation with the EEA and Norway Grants