Objectives:

In the area of judicial cooperation: to facilitate and support judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, and promote the rule of law, independence and impartiality of the judiciary, including by supporting the efforts to improve the effectiveness of national justice systems, and the effective enforcement of decisions.

In the area of access to justice: to facilitate effective and non-discriminatory access to justice for all, and effective redress, including by electronic means (e-justice), by promoting efficient civil, and criminal procedures and by promoting and supporting the rights of all victims of crime as well as the procedural rights of suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings.

Use of videoconferencing in remote hearings in civil and commercial matters:

• The compatibility of the use of digital technology in justice and related procedural rules with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
• Other activities relating to the use of digital tools, including AI, to foster judicial cooperation.
• Criminal Matters
• Efficient operation of EU mutual recognition instruments in criminal matters, including through strenghtening cooperation between competent authorities.
• Pre-trial detention and material detention conditions.
• Alternatives to (pre-trial) detention.
• Improving the efficiency, quality and independence of justice in criminal matters in order to uphold and promote the rule of law.
• Activities relating to the use of digital tools, including AI and videoconferencing tools, to foster judicial cooperation.
• Activities aimed at supporting knowledge-sharing and providing guidance on the practical aspects of the EU acquis in judicial cooperation in criminal matters.
• Activities aimed at ensuring the exchange of information and networking between legal, judicial and administrative authorities and the legal professions, aimed at promoting judicial cooperation across Europe, including through electronic channels of communication.

Activities that can be funded: The grants will fund operating costs and activities of the networks which have EU added value and contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the Programme among others:

• network activities, network development and procedural improvements to increase clarity, transparency, respect of EU values and equal treatment;
• analytical activities;
• training activities, including those rolling out and multiplying effect of other activities;
• research and data collection/sharing/analysis;
• mutual learning and exchange of good practices;
• cooperation (including enhancing networking among legal practitioners);
• awareness-raising activities;
• information and dissemination activities with EU added value.

Applicants must provide an annual work programme (in Part B of the application form) starting in 2026 and outlining the proposed key activities and budget forecast in one of the two priorities (judicial cooperation or access to justice).

The proposed work programme should clearly explain how it intends to support EU policy and how it translates policy into concrete action. The costs of general administrative expenditure necessary for the running of the applicant organisation may also be covered.

All activities shall, both at design and implementation stage, incorporate a gender equality perspective. Thus, applicants are expected to conduct and include in their proposal a gender analysis, which maps the potential different impact of the project and its activities on women and men as well as girls and boys in all their diversity. Thereby, unintended negative effects of the intervention on either gender should be forestalled (do no-harm approach). Furthermore, a gender- sensitive approach should be taken to the identification of the target groups’ needs, best practices, data collection, monitoring, information dissemination to forestall discrimination, victimisation and stereotyping of women and men. Training activities should allow for gender balanced participation in trainings. The work programme of the networks must clearly list all the measures in place and/or planned to improve gender equality.

Financial capacity: The financial capacity check will be carried out on the basis of the documents you will be requested to upload in the Participant Register during grant preparation (e.g. profit and loss account and balance sheet, business plan, audit report produced by an approved external auditor certifying the accounts for the last two financial years available, etc). The analysis will be based on neutral financial indicators, but will also take into account other aspects, such as dependency on EU funding and deficit and revenue in previous years.
The check will normally be done for coordinators, except:

• public bodies (entities established as public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations
• if the project requested grant amount is not more than €60.000.
• If needed, it may also be done for affiliated entities.