With three decades of growing Joint Programme co-operation between the Council of Europe and the European Union, the two institutions have demonstrated their partnership for human rights, rule of law and democracy. This programme cooperation has reached its highest level with more than 40 currently on-going programmes worth a total of over €170 million.

In this context, a new general agreement has been signed and entered into force in October 2020 between the European Commission and the Council of Europe, paving the way for future programme cooperation. This new Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) will be the practical framework for Joint Programmes, setting out how they operate, simplifying contract negotiation and creating an enabling, long-term environment for joint action.