179. Notes that in 2008-2009 resources for human rights and democracy amounted to over EUR 235 million, making it possible to fund 900 projects in some 100 countries, that a particularly high number of projects were funded in countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, while ACP countries received the highest overall amount; notes with concern an imbalance to the detriment of democracy assistance projects other than election observation; considers that EIDHR funding should be significantly increased, so as to include appropriate funding for a European Endowment for Democracy, to support human rights capacity building and democracy promotion in the most needful societies; 180. Stresses as a key strength of the EIDHR the fact that it does not depend on host government consent and is therefore able to focus on sensitive political issues and innovative approaches and to cooperate directly with local civil society organisations, which need to preserve their independence from public authorities; 181. Stresses the importance of using the EIDHR as a way of reacting to human rights threats and a way of providing increased support to human rights defenders and victims of human rights abuses; supports a network of 11 EIDHR-funded organisations focusing on protecting human rights defenders and responding rapidly in emergency situations; encourages the development of specific strategies to respond to the needs of different categories of human rights defenders, including those defending LGBTI rights and those associated with investigations of human rights and humanitarian law violations; 182. Calls on the Commission to ensure that there is coherence between the Union’s political priorities, its partnership and cooperation agreements, and the projects and programmes which it supports, particularly in connection with its bilateral programming with non-EU countries; 183. Is mindful of the still worrying human rights situation in the African continent and convinced that African states have taken significant steps towards the promotion of the rule of law at continent level with the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (also known as the Banjul Charter), and is consequently considering the possibility of setting up an ad hoc budget line to support the work of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights; 184. Calls on the Commission staff to meet regularly with civil society representatives in Brussels in order to foster dialogue with those partners who actually implement projects on the ground; 185. Welcomes the spread of funds for human rights through geographical programmes, the implementation of the policy at national and regional level being supported by the European Development Fund (in the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries), the Development Cooperation Instrument (in Latin America, Asia and South Africa) and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (in the neighbouring regions), as well as through thematic instruments such as EIDHR, IfS, DCI and ICI Plus; Electoral assistance and election observation 186. Notes with satisfaction that the EU is making increasing use of electoral assistance and election observation to promote democracy in non-EU countries, thereby enhancing respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and that the quality and independence of these missions are widely recognised; 187. Calls on the HP/VP to monitor the implementation of recommendations made in EU EOMs final reports, to ensure follow-up assistance if needed and to report back regularly to the EP;