The Ambassador said: "The European Union strongly believes in the vital role played by the civil society for enhancing awareness and improving the respect of human rights and the necessity of its involvement in the democratic process."
The EIDHR has been established to complement the policy of the European Union in the field of human rights and democratisation by providing financial support in the form of small-scale grants for the civil society, he said.
This is the second year that the European Commission has allocated grant under this programme in Pakistan, which will remain on the list of focus country for human rights external assistance until 2007 at least, he said.
He said that a total of 345,257 Euro was awarded for 10 projects focusing on violence against women and implemented across the country in year 2003.
However, the European Commission selected five projects after a strict process of evaluation of 101 applications in year 2004.
Five NGOs, which have been awarded financial assistance, are BEFARe, Center for Civic Education, Consumers' Rights Commission of Pakistan, Islamic Relief and Khwendo Kor.
These NGOs will work for access to justice for women programme and the role of media in the democratisation process besides training of women councillors, he said.
"The European Commission is pleased to continue its support for the women's rights while enlarging it to activities of particular importance in the context of the 2005 local government elections," the Ambassador said.
It may be mentioned here that the delegation of the European Commission to Pakistan will launch a third call for proposals under the EIDHR micro-projects programme in April 2005 for the total budget of 435,000 Euro.
In order to inform the NGOs about the programme and the conditions of application, the European Commission will organise a series of seminars across Pakistan in March.