STARLIGHT 2.0: Strategic Litigation for Rights in Europe | Applications Open

Across Europe, democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights continue to face significant pressure. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights provides an important legal framework for protecting these rights, but its potential as a tool for strategic litigation remains underused.

STARLIGHT 2.0 – Strategic Litigation for Rights in Europe is now accepting applications from legal professionals who want to strengthen their ability to use the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights to pursue systemic change and improve rights protection across Europe.

The programme brings together legal training, practical skills development, mentorship, legal clinics and networking opportunities to help participants turn strategic litigation into a tool for lasting impact. The programme is delivered by Democracy Reporting International, the Hertie School and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, with support from the European Commission’s CERV programme.

About STARLIGHT 2.0

STARLIGHT 2.0 is designed for legal professionals who already have experience in litigation and want to develop stronger knowledge and practical strategies for using the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in strategic cases.

The programme focuses on how litigation can go beyond resolving individual cases and contribute to broader changes in law, policy, institutional practice and rights protection.

Participants will learn from experienced academics, practitioners and litigators while working with peers from across EU Member States. The programme also includes legal clinics and mentorship to help participants apply what they learn to real-world cases.

What the STARLIGHT 2.0 Programme Offers

The programme combines several forms of professional learning and collaboration.

Practical Legal and Skills Training

Participants will take part in in-person training sessions designed to strengthen both their legal knowledge and practical professional skills.

The programme’s 2026–2027 cohort includes:

• In-person Charter training
• Skills training
• Online legal clinics
• Mentorship
• Peer learning
• Networking with other legal professionals

The in-person Charter training is scheduled for 9–11 November 2026, while the skills training is scheduled for 1–3 March 2027.

Expert Guidance

Participants will learn from experienced academics, legal practitioners and strategic litigators with expertise in using the EU Charter and pursuing rights-based litigation.

The programme is designed to connect participants with people who have practical experience in developing litigation strategies and using legal cases to achieve systemic change.

Legal Clinics and Mentorship

Participants will have opportunities to work through real-life cases and develop legal strategies with support from experts and mentors.

The legal clinics are an important part of the programme because they allow participants to apply knowledge from the training to practical litigation challenges.

European Network

STARLIGHT 2.0 also provides participants with an opportunity to connect with legal professionals from across Europe.

The programme aims to build a growing community of practitioners who can share knowledge, strategies and best practices while working to strengthen fundamental rights protection. The first cohort included lawyers from NGOs, National Human Rights Institutions and law firms across the EU.

Two Thematic Streams

Applicants can participate in one of two thematic areas.

Democracy and Rule of Law

This stream focuses on strategic litigation related to:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Fundamental rights
• Civic space
• Democratic institutions
• Systemic rights violations

Participants explore how strategic litigation can influence law, policy and public debate.

Asylum and Migration

The second stream focuses on legal issues involving:

• Asylum
• Migration
• Fundamental rights
• Protection of migrants and refugees
• Strategic litigation

Applicants should select the stream that most closely aligns with their professional interests and experience.

Who Can Apply?

The STARLIGHT 2.0 call is open to legal practitioners working in EU Member States.

Eligible applicants include legal professionals working in:

• Law firms
• Civil society organisations
• Legal clinics
• National Human Rights Institutions

Applicants should have at least two years of relevant professional experience.

The programme is intended for experienced legal professionals who are interested in using strategic litigation to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a legal practitioner working in an EU Member State.
• Work in a law firm, civil society organisation, legal clinic or National Human Rights Institution.
• Have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
• Have an interest in strategic litigation and fundamental rights.
• Be interested in using the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in practical litigation.
• Be prepared to actively participate throughout the programme.

The available information does not indicate that the programme is limited to lawyers working in a particular academic specialisation. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how their current legal work connects to the programme’s thematic areas.

Scholarships and Financial Support

Selected participants will receive scholarships covering the training fees and accommodation in Berlin for the three-day in-person legal and skills workshops.

However, travel costs are self-funded.

This means participants will need to arrange and finance their own travel to and from Berlin, while the programme covers the specified training fees and accommodation.

Programme Timeline

The current STARLIGHT 2.0 cohort will run from:

October 2026 to July 2027

Key in-person training dates include:

Charter Training:
9–11 November 2026

Skills Training:
1–3 March 2027

The programme also includes online clinics, mentorship and additional engagement during the programme period.

Why Strategic Litigation Matters

Strategic litigation can be used to pursue changes that extend beyond the outcome of an individual legal case.

A carefully selected case can potentially influence:

• Legal interpretation
• Government policy
• Institutional practice
• Protection of fundamental rights
• Public debate
• Implementation of court decisions

STARLIGHT 2.0 is designed to help legal professionals understand how to identify cases with broader potential and develop litigation strategies that can contribute to systemic change. (DevelopmentAid)

What Participants Can Gain

Through the programme, participants can develop:

Stronger Knowledge of the EU Charter

Gain a deeper understanding of how the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights can be used in strategic litigation.

Practical Litigation Skills

Learn approaches for developing and pursuing cases with potential for broader impact.

Expert Mentorship

Receive guidance from experienced legal practitioners and academics.

Case-Based Learning

Apply programme knowledge to real-life cases through legal clinics.

Professional Network

Connect with other legal professionals working on fundamental rights and strategic litigation across Europe.

Skills for Systemic Impact

Learn how litigation can contribute to changes beyond individual cases, including changes to law, policy and public debate.

Who Is This Opportunity Best Suited For?

STARLIGHT 2.0 may be particularly relevant to legal professionals working on:

• Human rights
• Fundamental rights
• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Civic space
• Asylum
• Migration
• Strategic litigation
• Legal advocacy
• Rights protection

It is especially relevant to practitioners who want to strengthen their ability to use the EU Charter as part of their litigation strategy.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the current cohort is:

20 September 2026

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and carefully review all programme requirements before applying.

How to Apply

Interested legal professionals should apply through the official STARLIGHT 2.0 application process.

The programme information and application details are available through the official programme organisers.

Programme information: Democracy Reporting International — STARLIGHT 2.0

Applicants should review the official call carefully before submitting their application.

Application Tips

1. Demonstrate Your Relevant Experience

Clearly explain your legal experience and show how it relates to strategic litigation, fundamental rights, democracy, rule of law, asylum or migration.

2. Explain Your Motivation

Be specific about why you want to participate and how the programme will strengthen your professional work.

3. Choose the Appropriate Stream

Consider whether your experience and interests are more closely aligned with Democracy & Rule of Law or Asylum & Migration.

4. Highlight Your Litigation Work

Where applicable, describe relevant cases, legal research, advocacy or litigation experience that demonstrates your interest in systemic rights protection.

5. Consider Your Travel Arrangements

Although training fees and accommodation in Berlin are covered through scholarships, travel is self-funded. Applicants should plan accordingly.

Conclusion

STARLIGHT 2.0 – Strategic Litigation for Rights in Europe provides legal professionals across EU Member States with an opportunity to strengthen their ability to use the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights as a tool for strategic litigation and systemic rights protection.

The programme combines legal training, practical skills development, online legal clinics, mentorship and professional networking. Participants can choose between the Democracy & Rule of Law and Asylum & Migration streams while working with experienced practitioners and peers from across Europe.

Selected participants receive scholarships covering training fees and accommodation in Berlin, although travel costs remain the responsibility of participants.

Legal practitioners with at least two years of relevant experience who are working in law firms, civil society organisations, legal clinics or National Human Rights Institutions in EU Member States are encouraged to consider applying before the 20 September 2026 deadline.

Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.