Standing up for Rights in Europe (SURE): Protecting fundamental rights by turning European Court judgements into action

Across Europe, the implementation of judgments remains a persistent weak link in the protection of fundamental rights. Despite clear rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), many violations continue unaddressed. This gap between recognition in the law and enforcement in the practice undermines not only individual rights, but also weakens the effectiveness of human rights protection mechanisms as well as public trust in the rule of law and the credibility of European justice systems.

At the same time, the rise of political movements challenging the EU’s foundational values, together with growing securitisation and restrictions on civic space, has further constrained accountability. Civil society organisations and independent institutions increasingly face obstacles in engaging with public authorities or accessing the information needed to monitor compliance. Many lack the legal, technical, and collaborative tools to invoke the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights strategically in their advocacy and litigation efforts.

The Standing up for Rights in Europe (SURE) project responds to this challenge. It seeks to strengthen civil society’s capacity to monitor, report, and advocate for the effective implementation of European Court judgments, while promoting the consistent application of EU and Council of Europe human rights standards at the national level. By reinforcing the bridge between judicial decisions and real-world outcomes, SURE aims to ensure that fundamental rights are not only declared, but fully realised in practice.

Why it matters

Across EU Member States, persistent non-compliance with judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg) reflects systemic shortcomings in the domestic implementation of international and European human rights obligations.

These challenges stem from:

• Insufficient follow-up mechanisms to ensure timely and effective execution of court judgments;

• Limited awareness and capacity among legal professionals and civil-society actors to use human rights instruments and engage strategically with monitoring procedures; and

• Fragmented coordination between civil society, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and state authorities in pursuing enforcement.

Such weaknesses hinder the translation of judicial decisions into policy reforms, remedies, and structural change.

The Standing up for Rights in Europe (SURE) project was conceived to address this implementation gap turning legal victories into tangible outcomes for individuals and communities.

SURE contributes to the European Union’s broader agenda under the European Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme to promote the rule of law and strengthen adherence to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Through targeted capacity building, cross-country cooperation, and coordinated advocacy, the project supports the full and consistent realisation of rights across the EU ensuring that rights recognised in law are also protected in practice.

Our approach

SURE combines three complementary dimensions:

1. Capacity strengthening: empowering civil society organisations and legal professionals with the knowledge and tools to use the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, monitor judgments, and engage with European courts.
2. Cooperation and dialogue: building structured communication channels between CSOs, NHRIs, and other human rights bodies to exchange best practices and coordinate responses to non-implementation.
3. Advocacy and awareness: amplifying evidence and monitoring results through joint advocacy initiatives, policy dialogues, and campaigns aimed at national and EU-level decision-makers.

This integrated model reflects a rights-based and gender-transformative approach, ensuring inclusivity, participation, and diversity of voices across all phases of the project.

The countries and partners we work with

SURE is implemented by a diverse consortium of European organisations combining legal expertise, advocacy experience, and grassroots engagement.

The Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC)coordinates the initiative and ensures strategic oversight, drawing on its long-standing experience in strengthening rule-of-law institutions and supporting human-rights defenders.

The European Implementation Network (EIN)contributes its specialised knowledge on the implementation of European Court judgments and its strong network of legal practitioners across Europe.

COSPE, based in Italy, brings its experience in participatory communication, advocacy, and public-awareness campaigns that connect human rights issues to citizens’ everyday lives.

Human Rights House Zagreb (HRHZ) supports dialogue and cooperation between civil-society organisations and independent institutions in Croatia and the wider region.

Finally, Gentium, an independent research and legal-analysis centre based in Spain, provides expertise in comparative legal studies, monitoring tools, and strategic litigation support.

Together, the partners create a bridge between law, advocacy, and public participation, ensuring that European standards on fundamental rights are effectively translated into local realities.

Expected impact

By the end of the project, SURE will have built a stronger, more connected ecosystem for the protection of rights in Europe. Its impact will be visible across multiple levels:

• A coordinated community of change-makers: Lawyers, activists, and national human rights institutions will work together rather than in isolation, joining forces to ensure that European Court judgments lead to real improvements in people’s lives.

• Empowered civil society and legal professionals: Across four EU countries, dozens of CSOs and legal practitioners will have gained the knowledge, tools, and networks to monitor and advocate for the implementation of European Court judgments, and to use the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights more strategically in their daily work.

• Stronger public and political awareness: Through cross-country exchanges and advocacy, SURE will help shift the perception of court judgments from technical legal issues to matters of justice, equality, and accountability that concern everyone.

• Sustainable collaboration and shared tools: The project will leave behind a digital monitoring toolkit, shared methodologies, and lasting partnerships between civil society, NHRIs, and policymakers ensuring continued momentum for compliance and transparency.

• A Europe where rights work in practice: At its core, SURE seeks to turn the language of courts into lived realities strengthening trust in institutions and advancing the rule of law across the region.

Project at a glance

• Duration: 24 months

• Countries: Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

• Lead: Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC)

• Consortium: European Implementation Network (EIN), COSPE, Human Rights House Zagreb (HRHZ), Gentium

• Programme: Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) – CERV-2024-CHAR-LITI

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Get involved

• CSOs & lawyers: join a training or dialogue meeting in your country.

• Policy makers & NHRIs: partner with us on targeted implementation actions.

• Journalists & media: cover the real-life consequences of delayed implementation.

Contact: Ilaria Fevola, consortium lead: ifevola@nhc.nl

Resources (coming soon)

• Online toolkit: Using the EU Charter & monitoring European Court judgments

• National advocacy briefs, statements, Rule 9 submissions, Rule of Law submissions

• Comparative study on implementation gaps and remedies

• Stories of change from across the four countries