The ECHOFunds project organizes the Open Consultation Days – a series of three online sessions designed to foster meaningful dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders engaged in the management and oversight of EU funds.

The Open Consultation Days aim to collect ideas, encourage collaboration, and identify key challenges and opportunities in ensuring that EU funds are implemented in full compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The ECHOFunds project is a joint initiative of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR), the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Austria), the Centre for European Constitutional Law (CECL) (Greece), and the Institute for Law and Society (INPRIS) (Poland). The project seeks to strengthen the alignment of EU funding processes with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights by raising awareness, promoting good practices, and building a shared understanding and good collaboration throughout the funding cycle.

The Open Consultation Days are open to a wide range of participants, including public officials involved in the programming of EU funds, (potential) beneficiaries of EU funding, representatives of NGOs working in the field of human rights, as well as national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and equality bodies.

Open Consultation Days Schedule

Day 1: Fundamental Rights and Charter Compliance of EU Funds
Thursday, 13 November 2025, at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CET.

• Exploring the compliance of the EU funds with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, focusing on the 2021–2027 programming period
• Challenges and recommendations in enhancing fundamental rights conditionality
• Methods and tools that could help to ensure compliance with fundamental rights

Day 2: Partnership in EU Funds
Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CET.

• Inclusive and meaningful partnerships in programming, implementing and monitoring of EU funds
• Involvement of relevant partners such as civil society, equality bodies, ombuds institutions, and NHRIs
• The role of Partnership Agreements and Monitoring Committees in implementing EU Funds in the EU Member States

Day 3: Complaints Mechanisms and Remedies
Thursday, 20 November 2025, at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CET.

• Evaluating existing mechanisms for complaints and redress within EU Funds
• Addressing fundamental rights violations and ensuring transparency and accountability in EU Fund implementation
• Good practices from EU Member States

If you are interested in participating, please let us know, which session(s) (attendance in more sessions is possible) you would like to attend by completing the registration form. All events are held in English.