Improving Ethnic Relations in Romania

About this grant

Romania is made up of a rich diversity of minority populations. Although Romanian society is developing an increasing degree of tolerance toward ethnic minorities, most such communities, especially Roma, suffer from economic, social and political discrimination. There is a crucial need to improve interethnic relations at a community level and encourage widespread respect and understanding for diversity at both a grassroots and national level.Multiyear funding will support activities that include providing training and mentoring for community facilitators working to mobilize local communities; identifying community leaders and building their capacity to support their communities; promoting the development of community-based organizations that address local needs; and awarding small grants to organizations located in less developed regions of Romania whose initiatives strengthen interethnic dialogue through community development.The Ethnocultural Diversity Resource Center was founded in 2000 to strengthen democracy in Romania by improving the interethnic climate and promoting ethnocultural peace and justice.