Minority Rights in Practice in South Eastern Europe

About this grant

The goal of the Minority Rights in Practice in Southeastern Europe project is to increase participation by ethnic minorities in policy development and advocacy at European, national and local levels. All of the governments in the region are working toward joining the European Union (EU) and are therefore in the process of harmonizing their laws with EU norms. Unfortunately, minority and ethnic communities are often excluded from full participation for social, political and/or economic reasons. There is a critical need for these groups to have access to information, understand the issues they face and participate in decisionmaking, especially at the EU level.Funding will enable the King Baudouin Foundation to provide a forum at the regional level to build consensus on issues of common concern and promote good practices; develop the capacities of selected non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work effectively on EU policy development and advocacy; encourage dialogue and collaboration among NGOs from Southeastern and Western Europe working on minority issues; raising awareness about issues facing minority and ethnic communities among EU policymakers; and promote dialogue and collaboration among donors on these issues.The King Baudouin Foundation, established in 1976, works to improve the living conditions in Belgium.