Descrição

HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-05

Expected Outcomes

Projects funded under this topic are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• Stronger mechanisms for accountability and justice: EU and national policymakers enhance the promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality worldwide by developing and implementing effective frameworks to investigate and prosecute international crimes. This includes strengthened cooperation with third countries to safeguard humanitarian assistance, security, and compliance with international law.
• Empowered civil society in partner regions: Organisations operating in the EU Enlargement countries, the EU Neighbourhood, and low- and lower middle-income countries strengthen their capacity to support vulnerable and marginalised groups. This includes promoting human rights and gender equality, delivering essential services, advocating for policy reforms, building partnerships, raising awareness, and improving reporting mechanisms for human rights violations.
• Human rights integration in trade policy: EU and national authorities incorporate human rights considerations into trade agreements, supply chains, labour standards, and related policies to promote dignity, fairness, equality, and well-being while preventing abuses.

Scope of the Call

In an increasingly multipolar global landscape, the promotion of human rights and gender and age equality remains a central priority for the European Union. Vulnerable groups—including ethnic and religious minorities, persons with disabilities, migrants, women, LGBTIQ individuals, refugees, elderly persons, and indigenous peoples—continue to face discrimination, persecution, and violence.

The EU’s external action operates within a complex environment shaped by global governance dynamics, trade relationships, rule of law considerations, geopolitical interests, and security concerns. Trade policies, sanctions, supply chains, labour rights, and conditionality measures are closely intertwined with human rights outcomes. However, their real-world impact—both positive and negative—remains insufficiently understood.

The role of national courts, international courts, and multilateral organisations in ensuring accountability for human rights violations is increasingly debated and, in some cases, contested. At the same time, EU external policies may have internal repercussions, including reputational risks, perceived inconsistencies in value-based diplomacy, and potential economic impacts on European enterprises, such as access to markets or critical raw materials.

For already marginalised populations, these dynamics may exacerbate existing vulnerabilities or create new forms of exclusion.

Research Priorities

This topic calls for interdisciplinary research, including Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), to better understand these complex interconnections and to develop innovative policy responses.

Proposals should:

• Analyse the impact of EU trade and investment policies, including the Global Gateway strategy, on human rights and perceptions of the EU as a values-based global actor.
• Develop effective diplomatic strategies and international cooperation frameworks to promote human rights and gender equality.
• Examine the accountability role of national courts, international courts, and international organisations.
• Assess the effects of sanctions, conditionality mechanisms, and supply chain regulations on vulnerable populations.
• Explore how EU foreign policy aligns with democratic values and internal cohesion.

Participatory research approaches that strengthen inclusivity and stakeholder engagement are welcomed.

Synergies and Cooperation

Applicants are encouraged to identify and build synergies with relevant EU-funded initiatives related to:

• Democracy support
• Civil society engagement
• Sustainable peace
• Democratic governance

International cooperation is strongly encouraged.

Geographic Focus

The research should cover:

• The EU Neighbourhood, defined as countries under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), including Eastern partners (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) and Southern partners (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia).
• EU Enlargement countries, with particular focus on the Western Balkans and accession countries.
• Low- and lower middle-income non-associated third countries, as defined under Horizon Europe participation rules.