The Working Programme sets out the Institute’s priorities, thematic areas, and operational modalities. While pursuing its mission, it contributes to strengthening democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Europe and beyond. All activities are grounded in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and relevant international human rights instruments and mechanisms.
Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights
The first programme focuses on the protection and promotion of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights as enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and international human rights instruments. It addresses issues such as democratic participation, institutional accountability, separation of powers, access to justice, equality, citizenship, values, and the protection of civic space. Through high-quality, custom-tailored training programmes, this pillar supports civil society, public and private sector actors, policymakers, media professionals, youth organisations, academia, and educational institutions. Its activities strengthen knowledge, skills, and practical capacities, contributing to the effective application of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in practice.
Dedicated to developing and delivering high-quality, custom-tailored training programmes, supports civil society, public and private sector actors, policymakers, media professionals, youth organisations, academia, and educational institutions. Its work strengthens knowledge, skills, and practical capacities related to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Religion, Belief & Philosophy
This programme affirms that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental and non-derogable human right, essential to human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law. Protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) requires strong legal safeguards to sustain engagement among religious, belief, and philosophical and convictional communities.
Grounded in an interfaith and interconvictional approach, the Programme creates structured, rights-based dialogues bringing together diverse faith traditions, belief systems, and secular worldviews. It fosters mutual understanding, counters discrimination, and strengthens social cohesion and democratic resilience in pluralistic societies through promoting interconvictional, interreligious, and intercultural cooperation.
The Programme explores the link between freedom of religion or belief, peacebuilding, and security, emphasizing sustainable peace and stability as a cornerstone of the protection of human rights.
Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence, Bioethics and Emerging Technologies
This programme explores the human rights implications of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, innovation, and modernisation and emerging technologies. Topics include data protection, digital inclusion, freedom of expression, algorithmic bias, ethical and human-centred AI, democratic governance of technology, and the impact of digital transformation on social cohesion, participation and equality society. Given the global developments, this pillar pays particular attention to the interaction between technology, democracy, and fundamental rights. Through research, training, and dialogue this, we engage with media professionals, policymakers and institutions to strengthen freedom of expression, media ethics, access to reliable information, and resilience against disinformation, hate speech, and digital manipulation, while safeguarding human rights
Clean, Healthy, Safe and Sustainable Environment
This programme explores the human rights implications of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, innovation, and modernisation and emerging technologies. Topics include data protection, digital inclusion, freedom of expression, algorithmic bias, ethical and human-centred AI, democratic governance of technology, and the impact of digital transformation on social cohesion, participation and equality society. Given the global developments, this pillar pays particular attention to the interaction between technology, democracy, and fundamental rights. Through research, training, and dialogue this, we engage with media professionals, policymakers and institutions to strengthen freedom of expression, media ethics, access to reliable information, and resilience against disinformation, hate speech, and digital manipulation, while safeguarding human rights
Gender Equality, Social Inclusion and Resilience
This programme advances gender equality at the intersection of equal pay, economic justice, and women’s financial independence for attaining substantive equality and social resilience. It addresses barriers to asset ownership and unequal access to economic opportunities. Fair remuneration and financial autonomy are prerequisites for full participation in social, political, and economic life.
Through capacity-building, financial literacy education, entrepreneurship support, and policy engagement, the programme strengthens women’s ability to secure equitable compensation, build sustainable income, and exercise informed control over financial resources. We collaborate with partners to develop rights-based strategies that promote inclusive growth, social cohesion, resilience and measurable economic justice, ensuring a systemic and lasting impact.
Mental Health and Sustainable Lifestyles
The Right to Mental Health Programme offers partners a strategic framework for advancing mental health as an integral component of the right to the highest attainable standard of health under international human rights law. Through collaboration, partners engage in developing preventive, rights-based policies that prioritize early intervention, community-based services, and sustainable lifestyles as foundations of long-term societal resilience.
We encourage sustainable and transparent financing models aligned with European Union social and health policy frameworks, thereby supporting the transition from institutional care to prevention-oriented, community-driven systems. Partners benefit from policy expertise, technical guidance, and research-based evidence on mental health social determinants. This enables them to strengthen equitable access, reduce long-term societal costs, and build resilient, health-oriented communities.