The multi-country programme generates knowledge and tools to the benefit of member and non-member states but also provides focused, flexible, responsive and tailor-made support to the beneficiary countries in the area of preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, based on the Council of Europe’s standards in this area, in particular the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

A particular focus is made on enhancing knowledge and understanding on the Istanbul Convention among authorities and local stakeholders and generally, to promote ratification and implementation in support of the recommendations of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) where available.

The programme provides support upon request of interested authorities.

Main activities

The programme is conceived to:

• Deliver research, needs assessment, gap analysis of key and emerging topics on violence against women and domestic violence, namely, sexual violence, online violence against women, COVID-19 impact on gender equality and violence against women;
• Develop tools and materials aiming at raising awareness of the Istanbul Convention standards on gender equality and violence against women among key stakeholders, including government officials, members of Parliament (MPs), NGOs, the private sector and the media;
• Provide specialist advice on anti-violence strategies, co-ordination among relevant agencies, and policy issues in line with the Istanbul Convention;
• Provide advice and assistance in reviewing laws and regulations and preparing legal analysis on violence against women and the implementation of the Istanbul Convention by facilitating peer-to-peer exchange with other member states;
• Provide detailed legal and operational advice and assistance in relation to setting up and/or developing the relevant institutions and mechanisms, such as co-ordinating bodies, protocols for delivering services and/or staff training to ensure the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.

1 January 2022 – 31 December 2025

This programme is open for voluntary contributions.

The Council of Europe accepts voluntary contributions from member states, and from other sources, including observer states, non-member states, the European Union, International Organisations, foundations, the private sector and individuals who share the goals and values of the Organisation. For more information on how to contribute, please contact the Directorate of Programme Coordination. 

The programme is implemented by the Capacity Building and Co-operation Projects Unit at the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality Division

• Development of a methodology for awareness raising on the aims, values, and benefits of the Istanbul Convention by civil society in cooperation with WAVE Network and UN Women;
• Support (grants) to three national awareness raising campaigns (Czech Republic, Latvia and Poland) to promote the understanding of the Istanbul Convention;
• Production of a promotional video on the NGO campaigns and the Istanbul Convention;
• Contribution to the grant to the European Women's Lobby for coordinating the Campaign Sexism : See it. Name it. Stop it! in 9 countries;
• Development of the brochure on the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec (2019)1 on preventing and combating sexism ENG / FR ;
• Development of the report "Roadmap for establishing specialist support services for victims of violence against women and domestic violence in Latvia in line with the Council of Europe standards" in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare of Republic of Latvia – ENG / LAV ;
• Translation into several languages:
  • the HELP online course on violence against women and domestic violence;
  • the HELP online course on Access to Justice for Women;
• Development of a video tutorial presenting the HELP course on VAW and DV;
• Development of a new HELP online course on VAW and DV targeting law enforcement;
• Production of infographics and accompanying brochure on the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention:
  • Infographics ENG / FRA
  • Brochure ENG / FRA
  • More language versions are available here.