The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme is a new EU funding instrument that brings together two previous funding programmes: 'Europe for Citizens' and 'Rights, Equality and Citizenship'. The programme is aimed at: promoting and defending EU values; promoting rights, non-discrimination and equality; encouraging citizens' engagement and participation in the democratic life of the EU, as well as raising awareness of their common European history; and preventing and combating gender-based violence and violence against children.