Improving Ethnic Relations in Supported Southeast Europe projects and
A capacity building, initiatives learning oriented and development grants programme
Programme 2001
A partnership of the King Baudouin Foundation, the Soros Foundations and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Editor Guido Knops, King Baudouin Foundation
Coordination Jan Balliu, King Baudouin Foundation Mariana Milosheva, Regional Consultant to the programme
Editing Liz Harrison
Contributions from Civic Initiatives (Serbia), Human Development Promotion Centre (Albania), Inter-Ethnic Initiative for Human Rights Foundation (Bulgaria) and Ethno- cultural Diversity Resource Centre (Romania)
Graphic Design Bailleul – Gent/Belgium
Print Vanmelle – Gent/Belgium
D/2002/2848/09 ISBN: 2-87212-395-4
Acknowledgments The King Baudouin Foundation would like to thank all its partners for their commitment and efforts to make this programme possible. As it is impossible to mention them by name, a special mention is due to all NGO’s and individuals in the local communities; without their belief and energy the story of this book could not have been told.
The project presentations were provided for by the coordinating partner organisations. It is possible that some data are incorrect and/or have changed. Therefore, contact the coordinating partners if you require updated information. Preface 4
Albania 5
Bulgaria 17
Romania 41
Serbia 49
Contact information 63 Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Central/Eastern Europe and Russia 65 Soros Foundations Network 66 King Baudouin Foundation 67 Preface
The programme “Improving Inter-Ethnic Relations in Central and Eastern Europe” was initiated by the King Baudouin Foundation and started in 1996 in seven countries. In 1999 the programme covered sixteen countries.
From 1999 a review started of the previous years programme that resulted in a new approach and a geographical focus on Southeast Europe. “Improving Ethnic Relations in Southeast Europe”, continues to be a partnership effort of the King Baudouin Foundation, the respective National Soros Foundations and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. At the country level, the programme is developed and coordinated by our national partner organisations. A detailed overview on what the programme involves and a first glance on the achievements is gathered in the publication “Out of the Balkan Puzzle”.
As the subtitle to the programme suggests, this is more than just a grants programme. There is a multitude of efforts assuring that local organisations and community initiatives build know-how and capacities to address their local needs in their inter-ethnic realities.
This publication wants to give an overview of the supported initiatives in the countries where the programme has started in spring 2001: Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. The programme was recently launched in Macedonia and will be set up later this year in Croatia. Their initiatives will be included in next year’s overview.
The information which is provided, on each of the projects is edited by our national coordinating partners. The descriptions are indicative of what happened in each of them and do not always reflect the dynamics and energy which was generated. More detailed information is available upon request with each of the coordinating partners. Also, the information is based on the situation at the moment of editing and therefore we can’t yet give a detailed indication of the results. We plan to publish a report in the autumn of 2002 on the impact and generated changes in the communities of some of the projects and initiatives described.
To conclude, it is worthwhile to mention that we all try to identify initiatives and projects, which are as close as possible to the set objectives of the programme as a whole and the national situation in particular. What works in one country is perhaps not relevant in another. An ongoing monitoring of the local needs will allow to learn from each other and to review the programme each year, ensuring we match the ambitious challenge we have put ourselves.
4 SLOVAK REP.
Bratislava MOLDOVA Budapest Chisinau HUNGARY eb ROMANIA TIA Bucharest SNIA AND Belgrade RZEGOVINA SERBIA Sarajevo FED. REP. OF YUGOSLAVIA MONTE BULGARIA NEGRO Sofia Padgorica
FYR Skopje MACEDONIA Tirana ALBANIA
GREECE TURKEY Albania
Project title Minorities in Southeast Albania: progress, problems, solutions Project description The project aims to increase the role of the school as the most important institution in instigating a culture of coexistence Organisation between the Albanian population and the Greek minority. 80 Albanian Specialists of Education, teachers, 900 scholars and 200 parents will be involved in the Tirana & Saranda project activities. Seminars and other activities with the goal of getting to know the cultures of both ethnic groups will be Place/region where the project is organised during the project implementation (literature, carried out culture, music, sport, etc.). Saranda District (Çuke, Livadhja, Dhiver, Bistrice) Part of the project involves the establishment and operation of the Students’ Government, in which students from both Ethnic groups involved ethnic groups will participate. Another part involves setting Albanians, Greeks up a School Board, with the participation of representatives from the two ethnic groups. Project duration 6 months
Project title Talking to each other Project description The project will be implemented in an area of the city where Roma and Albanian communities live together, but where Organisation there is little communication between them. Through simple Public Health, Elbasan activities with young people and women this project aims to increase collaboration between two communities. Place/region where the project is carried out Four people from each of the two communities will be Elbasan City selected as volunteer animators who will organise free- ranging discussions about topics such as health, culture, the Ethnic groups involved arts, the family and so on. During the weekend, these Albanians, Roma, Egyptians rendezvous will be called "Have a coffee with us".
Project duration The activities will be covered in the media. Two programmes 6 months will also be transmitted on local TV.
7 Project title Education and integration of young people in the Çarshova community, Permet Project description The objective of the project is to decrease phenomena which reinforce segregation, such as the absence of marriage between the two ethnic groups, separate cemeteries, damage to places of religious worship, lack of respect for the traditions of each community, etc.
The objective will be achieved through integrating the activities of young people from the two ethnic groups (Albanian and Greek) in the Çarshova community, Permet. Cooperation and coexistence of the two ethnic groups will be achieved through the distribution of leaflets and appeals to maintain the traditions of each group. Two religious rites will be organised, in the Biovizhdes church and the Çarshova mosque respectively.
The project will also set up an office to serve as an information centre and as a venue for joint activities. The activities include competitions, a football championship and various meetings.
Organisation Association for Women Rights & NGOs Coordination Office, Permet
Place/region where the project is carried out Permet District (Çarshova)
Ethnic groups involved Albanians, Greeks
Project duration 6 months
8 Project title Encouragement of relations between the Albanian population and the Greek minority, in the villages of Lefterako, Varfaj and Kakadhiq, through better mutual understanding Project description The project aims to provide financial assistance for an Organisation Albanian child who lives in the Varfaj. She is ill with anaemia Activists for human rights, Gjirokastra and needs to get blood at the Janina hospital in Greece. An awareness campaign among both Greek and Albanian Place/region where the project is inhabitants of the surrounding villages will contribute to carried out fund-raising. Sensitising Albanian emigrants in Greece to the Saranda, Gjirokastra, Tepelena child’s plight will also be part of the project. Districts (Lefterako, Varfaj, Kakadhiq) Another issue will involve trying to resolve the conflict over Ethnic groups involved pastures between inhabitants of the (Greek) Lefterako and Albanians, Greeks (Albanian) Varfaj communities.
Project duration Round tables, leaflets and documentaries will be transmitted 7 months on the local TV stations of Saranda, Tepelena and Gjirokastra as part of the project.
Project title Youth for the future Project description The project aims to establish good communication between Organisation the Albanian and Greek communities. Youth Council Gjirokastra The project consists of 2 phases. The first phase consists of Place/region where the project is organising a total of 6 round tables, followed by training on carried out interethnic culture. 15 young people will be familiarised with Gjirokastra District (Dropull villages) the most frequent ethnic problems and how to solve them. The second phase comprises a series of activities in Gjirokaster, Ethnic groups involved Dervician, Jorgucat called "Open games for all", which will be Albanians, Greek minority organised once a week with the participation of both ethnic groups. Project duration 6 months
9 Project title Media role in strengthening interethnic relations between Albanians, Greeks, Arumuns, Roma and Egyptians in Gjirokastra Project description The project activities will involve the Albanian and Greek Organisation communities in the city and villages, the Arumun community in South City, Gjirokaster the village of "Andon Poçi", as well as the Romani and Egyptian communities living on the outskirts of the city. Place/region where the project is carried out The local TV Programme "Near each other", the local radio Gjirokastra Districts "Interethnic mosaic" programme and the publication of the bulletin "Harmony", etc. play an important role in the project Ethnic groups involved activities. Albanians, Greek, Arumuns, Roma, Egyptians Within the framework of the project in Dervician village, a meeting named "Minority bridges of friendship" will be Project duration organised, which includes the planting of 50 trees and a 9 months photographic exhibition.
Project title Each step co-living today – a communication bridge tomorrow Project description Two ethnic groups (Albanian and Greek) live in the village of Organisation Lazarat. The project aims to establish a strong body with Children voice is calling us, Tirana & representatives from both groups: women, young people and Gjirokastra intellectuals, who will have the goal of strengthening interethnic cooperation, communication and tolerance. Place/region where the project is carried out The project objectives will be achieved through the use of Gjirokastra District (Lazarat-Dervician) questionnaires, TV discussions, telephone conversations, round tables, training, etc. The group will conduct a number of activities Ethnic groups involved in the area where the Greek minority lives. Albanians, Greek minority
Project duration 6 months
10 Project title Youth, religion and tolerance Project description The project aims to increase tolerance and understanding in the communities of North Albania. The main objective is to publish the newspaper entitled "Together", which will serve as Organisation a vehicle for ideas and thoughts for religion, tolerance and Young Journalists Association ARB, collaboration. 1500 copies of the newspaper will be distributed Shkodra in Shkodra, Malesi e Madhe, Puka, Tirana and Durresi.
Place/region where the project is The project provides for the establishment of a network of carried out activists in Shkodra, Lezha, Puka and Malesi e Madhe (9 Shkodra, Lezha, Malesi e Madhe Districts persons), which will organise round tables and discuss problems that trouble the communities of North Albania. Ethnic groups involved Different religious groups
Project duration 9 months
Project title The Integration of Romani and Egyptian women with the other part of the community Project description The project focuses on Romani and Egyptian women who live in Elbasan, especially in the districts of "Kongresi i Elbasanit" Organisation and "Beqir Dardha". Women Forum of Elbasan Reciprocal family visits will take place every two weeks to Place/region where the project is discuss various topics and issues such as the role of women, carried out human rights and health education, etc. The project will Elbasan District involve 70 Romani families and 60 Egyptian families. 180 Albanian, Romani and Egyptian women will participate in 8 Ethnic groups involved meetings. Albanians, Roma, Egyptians The project intends to establish good cooperation between Project duration the Romani and Egyptian communities as well as with the 9 months Local Authorities.
11 Project title Establishment and consolidation of the bridges between Roma, Egyptians and the Albanian community in and around Bajram Curri school Project description "Bajram Curri" school is attended by 1,300 children, 28% of which are Roma and 6% Egyptians, representing approximately the same proportions as in the surrounding population.
The project aims to increase Romani and Egyptian people’s interest in the school, as well as to establish a good relationship between the community’s three ethnic groups.
A psychologist will participate in the project, whose particular brief is to organise classroom discussions on the theme of "Human Diversity - Value". Round tables will be organised with the participation of pupils’ parents from the three ethnic groups. Cultural and sports activities, competitions will be among the activities organised, as well as an exhibition of pupils’ pictures.
Organisation Social Integration Centre, Tirana
Place/region where the project is carried out Tirana (community around Bajram Curri school)
Ethnic groups involved Albanians, Roma, Egyptians
Project duration 6 months
12 Project title Together we feel better Project description The project will be implemented in two neighbouring villages of the Kukes district where there are different ethnic groups: Shishtavec with 100 % Slavs, and Novosej which has 100% Albanians. These villages have a joint secondary school and two elementary schools.
Within the framework of the project, 3 Olympiads in mathematics, literature and design will be organised. Pupils from both elementary schools will participate in these activities. The project has also provided for several sportive activities and excursions and a visit to Macedonia for pupils of the elementary and higher schools.
Meetings and round tables with Local Authorities and local communities will also be organised.
Public awareness will be created through leaflets, programmes in the local media, including both TV and radio, and so on. The programme will finish with a concert in which both ethnic groups will take part.
Organisation "Youth for free initiative" – Kukes
Place/region where the project is carried out Kukes District (Shishtavec, Novosej)
Ethnic groups involved Albanians, Slavs
Project duration 5 months
13 Project title Minority integration of Egyptians in the social life of the city Project description The project aims to increase the participation and integration of the Egyptian minority into the social life of the Tepelena Organisation and Memaliaj populations. Women’s Center of Tepelena The first event will be a seminar for the Albanians and Place/region where the project is Egyptians. Concerts, excursions and meetings in small groups, carried out will be organised with the participation of two ethnic group Tepelena and Memaliaj city representatives from the secondary schools.
Ethnic groups involved All of the activities will be covered by local media. Albanians, Egyptians
Project duration 6 months
Project title Education of ethnic communities and Albanian society Project description he Centre for Ethnic Studies has the mission of defining and making recommendations to resolve interethnic problems in Organisation Albanian society. The CES is active in areas where there is a The Centre for Ethnic Studies concentration of ethnic communities.
Place/region where the project is The Golloborda area, covering about 240 km2, has 22 villages, carried out 16 of which have a Macedonian population. Within the Villages of the Golloborda area framework of the project, publications like "The Convention on Minority Protection and Albanian Legislation" will be Ethnic groups involved published. Albanians, Macedonians Competitions for pupils and teachers of middle schools will be Project duration organised and an exhibition with photos demonstrating 5 months harmony between the two ethnic groups will be opened.
14 Project title Integration of Egyptians in the civil society Project description In Permet city, Egyptians normally known as ‘Jevgjit’ compose 14-16% of the population. During past years, this group has Organisation created communications bridges with the other part of the Local NGOs Forum, Permet population. Unfortunately, over the last decade, these bridges have been weakened and disrespect for this ethnic group has Place/region where the project is been on the increase. carried out Permet City The main objective of the project is to promote better relations between the two ethnic groups. Within the Ethnic groups involved framework of the project, various competitions, thematic Albanians, Egyptians activities and exhibitions, as well as round table discussions will be organised. Professional courses will also be initiated. Project duration 6 months
Project title Conservation and consolidation of interethnic values between Albanians and Greeks through media and art Project description The project will be implemented in the Saranda District, Organisation although it will also involve the school in Delvina. A broad Association "Joniane" media campaign will be developed about the project and its objectives through radio and newspapers in the Albanian and Place/region where the project is Greek languages. Two exhibitions will be organised with the carried out participation of scholars from both ethnic groups, one for Sarande paintings and the other focusing on literature. Local authorities will participate in the organisation of these Ethnic groups involved activities. Albanians, Greeks
Project duration 6 months
15 Project title Together for tolerance and interethnic cooperation Project description Pogradec is one of the border crossing points between Macedonia and Albania. In the current situation relations between Albanians and Macedonians are rather tense. Women can play an important role in improving the situation by propagating messages of peace. The Albanian association ‘Refleksione’ and the Macedonian association ‘Besa’ are cooperating over a three-year period to organise joint activities in this field.
Within the framework of this project, exhibitions of local costumes from the area (Pogradec, Oher, Struge, Prishtine, Prespe, Librazhd, Korçe) will be organised.
Meetings and workshops with women and media will be organised, with a view to establishing a strategy for joint activities among the NGO network in the area of interethnic cooperation. The activities will be publicised in the local media.
Organisation Intellectual Women & Reflection
Place/region where the project is carried out Association of Pogradec
Ethnic groups involved Pogradec
Albanians, Macedonian
Project duration 5 months
16 e T R S b IA Sarajevo ZEGOVINA NIA AND Bratislava Padgorica HUNGARY SLOVAK REP. Tirana NEGRO MONTE ALBANIA Budapest YUGOSLAVIA FED. REP. OF SERBIA Belgrade MACEDONIA FYR GREECE Skopje Sofia ROMANIA BULGARIA Bucharest MOLDOVA Chisinau TURKEY
Bulgaria
Project title Protecting vidin Roma from discrimination Project description This project follows up one of last year’s IED Fund projects to identify the most successful practices to protect the rights of the Vidin Romani population and elaborate a municipal programme for integrating the Romani community into the socio-economic life of the town. The Vidin Municipal Council adopted this strategy on April 15, 2001.
The new activities involve creating a rights protection system for the Romani community and engages state institutions in Organisation this process. Support is provided to the Romani community in - Unity 2001 organisation, Vidin conflict resolution and the project promotes timely Rumen Seferinov intervention by state institutions. The project also mobilises 10, Ruzha Str. local state and non-governmental structures in cases of 3700, Vidin human rights violations. Vidin region Tel.: +359 94 26516 The project aims to promote and consolidate an Ombudsman institution to protect Roma and other minorities from - Friends of the Vidin Club, Vidin discrimination. Daniela Eneva 33, Al. Stambolijski Str. 3700, Vidin Vidin region Tel.: +359 94 35010, 43930, 601198 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out The town of Vidin Vidin region
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians
Project duration 7 months
19 Project title Young women from Asenovgrad: bearers of tolerance Project description Set in a locality with marginalised minority Turkish and Romani communities, this project aims to motivate young mothers form all communities to stand up for ethnic equality Organisation and equal gender rights, to promote their sense of - 21st Century Society Association, responsibility and to bring up their children in a spirit of Asenovgrad tolerance to otherness. In addition, it aims to encourage Nedret Assan young families from different ethnic groups to get to know 21, Kokiche Str. each other and socialise together. 4230 Assenovgrad, Assenovgrad municipality The project includes training, consultancy and practical Plovdiv region sessions to acquaint participants with the competences of the Tel.: +359 331 23012; 42179 main local institutions. It also includes discussion meetings, E-mail: [email protected] publication of a brochure with advice for tolerant families, a round table discussion, excursions, joint celebrations of feast - Asenovgrad Traders’ Association, days, etc. Asenovgrad Panaiot Petrov All activities include husbands and children. Young families 15, Oborishte Str. pass the knowledge and values they acquire on to the young. 4230 Assenovgrad, Assenovgrad Project participants also undertake advocacy activities in the municipality interests of particularly vulnerable groups. Plovdiv region Tel.: +359 331 42307 17 young families from various ethnic groups are taking part in the project, with the main emphasis on young mothers. The Place/region where the project is knowledge and skills they acquire are then passed on to other carried out young people, aged 13 to 15 from the same ethnic groups but The town of Asenovgrad, Assenovgrad who do not yet have families. This helps to prepare them for municipality future life when they will have their own children and for Plovdiv region their role as parents who promote inter-ethnic equality, tolerance, cooperation and equal gender rights. Ethnic groups involved Turks, Roma, Bulgarians, Bulgarian- speaking Muslims (Pomaks)
Project duration 10 months
20 Project title Yakoruda mothers’ ethnocultural integration and dialogue Project description 80% of the population of Yakoruda (in the Rhodopy mountains) is Muslim and 20% Christian. The region is socially Organisation and economically marginalised and is a zone of potential - Yakorudchanka Association, ethno-religious conflict. This project strives to build tolerance Yakoruda and dialogue between the ethno-religious groups in the Fetie Shranska municipality by promoting a model for interaction between 3, Orehovitca Str. institutions and young mothers for bringing up their children 2790, Yakoruda, Yakoruda municipality in the spirit of these general human values, mobilising the Blagoevgrad region moral foundation of the family in teaching tolerance to those Tel.: +359 7442 3703 who are different. E-mail: [email protected] More specifically, the project aims to develop a sense of - Balkan Autobiographical and Social responsibility among mothers to bring up their children in a Communication Societ, spirit of ethnic and religious tolerance and to motivate them Blagoevgrad to form social skills in their children for dialogue, partnership Anastasia Pashova and tolerance for differences. 17, Yane Sandanski Str. En. 2, floor 8, ap. 29 Activities are linked to participation in joint initiatives to 2700, Blagoevgrad acquaint Muslims, Christians and Roma with each other and Blagoevgrad region break down accumulated stereotypes and prejudices. These Tel.: +359 73 43159 include cultural celebrations, sports, a market/exhibition, E-mail: [email protected] concerts, excursions, cookery events, joint religious celebrations and setting up "Tolerance Alley" in the park. Place/region where the project is carried out he town of Yakoruda, Yakoruda municipality Blagoevgrad region
Ethnic groups involved Bulgarian speaking Muslims (Pomaks), Bulgarians, Roma
Project duration 10 months
21 Project title Sustainable local development in the Municipality of Banite through eco- tourism Project description This project is set in a region in which, as a result of forced assimilation by the Bulgarian government up to and during the 1980s, minority Muslim and Turkish communities are still afraid to identify themselves publicly as such.
Uniting the efforts of all ethnic and religious groups in the locality (Christian Bulgarians, Muslim Bulgarians, Turks), the project creates conditions for eco-tourism development in the Banite Municipality as a factor for sustainable local development based on respect for human/ minority rights. It Organisation is targeted at local authorities, local businesses and individual - Banite Women’s Association for citizens and citizen groups from the various ethnic and Human Rights and Ethnic religious groups. It activates their efforts as partners to Tolerance, Banite, Banite protect and maintain the local environment and the cultural municipality diversity of the municipality as a fundamental resource for the Bilyana Pergelova development of eco-tourism. 6, Ivan Vazov Str. 4940, Banite, Banite municipality Project activities figure in the Framework Programme for the Smolyan region Development of Tourism in the Banite Municipality. This Tel.: +359 3025 2087 Framework Programme resulted from the same organisation's E-mail: [email protected] activities for the Inter Ethnic Development Fund project in 2000. This year’s follow-up entails the creation of two local Place/region where the project is public structures for managing tourism development and carried out tourist information provision by citizens. These are the Local The village of Banite, Banite Tourism Council and the Tourist Information Centre municipality respectively. Smolyan region The project provides for a training Programme to increase the Ethnic groups involved capacity of local residents by broadening their knowledge of Bulgarians, Bulgarian speaking sustainable local development in a human rights context. Muslims (Pomaks) Training is also aimed at enhancing their qualifications for providing quality tourist services. The project also emphasises Project duration the creation of eco-footpaths and the promotion of local 11 months traditions of the various ethnic and religious communities.
22 Project title Bridge (a partnership for sustainable rural development) Project description Chalukovi village has 2,200 inhabitants, 1,530 of whom are Roma. The neighbouring village of Popovitza has 120 Roma, all from low-income families. Due to lack of funds, the bridge between the two villages is derelict.
This project aims to encourage sustainable development in Organisation the two villages through - Unity Roma Association, Chalukov, - environmental activities to improve the immediate Rakovski municipality surroundings: removing plastic and metal waste from the Rangel Rangelov villages and the Maritza riverbed; 20, Boris Angelov Str. - training for professional qualifications to allow for better 4123, Chalukovi, Rakovski participation in the labour market: for workers in the ready- municipality made clothing industry, fitters and welders (providing the Plovdiv region necessary skills for Roma and Bulgarians together to repair Tel.: +359 3154 543 the footbridge over the Maritza River, thereby linking the two villages, and to repair the sports facilities in the school - Hristo Botev Cultural Center, yards in Chalukovi and Popovitza); Chalukov, Rakovski municipality - encouraging inter-ethnic socialising through an ethnically Shtiliana Dimitrova mixed music and dance group from the two villages. 4123, Chalukovi, Rakovski municipality Plovdiv region Tel.: +359 3154 320
Place/region where the project is carried out The village of Chalukovi, Rakovski municipality Plovdiv region
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians
Project duration 8 months
23 Project title In spite of … since the world began Project description For over five years, the Media with a Human Face team has been looking into and representing the life of ethnic communities in Plovdiv and its region. Research shows that ethnic tolerance is alive, durable and growing in the homes of people with different mother tongues and different religions. Spiritual peace eliminates prejudices when those from Organisation different groups meet. - Media with a Human Face Association, Plovdiv This project deals with inter-ethnic relations in mixed Petko Shoilekov marriages. It acts indirectly on the TV audience to overcome 42, Radetcki Str. ethnic prejudice, which is a constant in this society. A large 4002, Plovdiv number of ethnically mixed couples from multicultural Plovdiv Plovdiv region and Southern Bulgaria appear in front of the camera, with the Tel.: +359 32 640419, 640366, image of the loved woman, wife and mother in the 640394 foreground. E-mail: [email protected] link.com Reporters from various ethnic groups work on this project. The Association continues to learn and grow from its - Shalom Regional Jewish experience to date, involving TV Programmes on Plovdiv Organisation, Plovdiv Public TV, Eurocom national cable TV and other channels. Roza Behar 20, Hristo Danov Str. 4000, Plovdiv Plovdiv region Tel.: +359 32 268023, 632622
Place/region where the project is carried out The town of Plovdiv with regional coverage
Ethnic groups involved All ethnic groups
Project duration 9 months
24 Project title Ethno Palette Plus Project description This project follows up the year 2000 IED Fund TV-project Organisation entitled Ethno Pallette. It aims to present Karakachans, - The Troubadour Foundation, Sofia Vlachs, Aromanians and Tatars in TV films, not only through Pepa Ilieva their everyday life and culture, but also through their current Bulgaria bul. Bl. 315, en. A, ap.20. 1000, Sofia problems. These monthly broadcasts use dialogue giving Sofia region different points of view from members of majority and Tel.: +359 2 208032 minority communities. People from minorities are E-mail: [email protected] transformed from objects to be observed into active subjects, - Erevan Armenian Union of Cultural- participating in the script writing team and elaborating Educational Associations, Sofia material about their own and other ethnic groups. Garo Mardirosyan 31, T. Aleksandrov bul. 1000, Sofia This year’s project had maintained and developed partner Sofia region relationships created in the IED Fund NGO network last year. Tel.: +359 2 9834361 It attracts new organisations and continually activates its E-mail: [email protected] dialogue with institutions. - Union of Students in Bulgaria 1994, Sofia The project also aims to act as a catalyst for the elaboration of Nikolay Pankov coherent policies on inter-ethnic issues on the part of 9, Narodno subranie sqr. 1000, Sofia Eurocom national cable TV, which is hosting the Programme Sofia region for the second year running. A web site is also being Tel.: +359 2 9816001 prepared, so that information can reach further afield. E-mail: [email protected]
- Shalom Jewish Organisation in Bulgaria, Sofia Sara Koen 50, Al. Stambolijski 1303, Sofia Sofia region Tel.: +359 2 9265313, 9265335 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out Sofia with national coverage
Ethnic groups involved All ethnic groups
Project duration 8 months
25 Project title In the same rhythm Project description This project is implemented on Bulgarian National Radio’s Radio Plovdiv station. It is a follow-up to the Suburban Rhythm Programme, which was supported by the IED Fund in the year 2000.
The aim of this year’s Programme is for the multi-ethnic journalistic team of Roma, Turks, Armenians and Bulgarians to continue to attract the interest of the ethnic majorities in the problems and rights of minorities, and vice-versa. Although this is a slow process, it reduces the level of isolation and Organisation marginalisation of various ethnic groups. - Izgrev Stolipinovo Regional Social Foundation, Plovdiv This year’s activities include setting up a fan club, in which the Simeon Todorov more active listeners and members of the expanded 6, Kraina Str. programme team will take part. 4006, Plovdiv Plovdiv region Tel.: +359 32 623152 E-mail: [email protected]
- Useful Projects Foundation, Plovdiv Ivan Petkov PO Box 364, 15, Gladston Str. 4000, Plovdiv Plovdiv region Tel.: +359 32 625755, 620781
Place/region where the project is carried out The town and region of Plovdiv
Ethnic groups involved All ethnic groups in the Plovdiv region
Project duration 10 months
26 Project title Cheerful Bulgaria 2001 Project description This project provides a non-standard approach to integration and mutual understanding between the various ethnic communities in Bulgaria. It involves seeking out and promoting interesting personalities from regions across the country with ethnically mixed populations. These characters are presented in a positive light to society as a whole, in the spirit of local wit and wisdom. Many people in the regions concerned have kept their community’s sense of humour and are also bearers of amazing wisdom, which comes out in local anecdotes, proverbs and funny stories. Publicising this forgotten wealth provokes interest in the everyday lives of people living in these places, turning them into a more integral part of society.
The Satiric Foundation publishes these funny anecdotes, humorous incidents, nicknames, tales and proverbs from the mouths of folk genii in the pages of the best known and the Organisation largest circulation national satirical newspaper, Sturshel. - The Satiric Foundation, Sofia Krastyo Krastev During the research trips, the project team takes the 26, Stefan Karadzha Str., fl. 3 opportunity to meet local communities and discuss 1000, Sofia intercultural communication issues and last, but not least, the Sofia region project provides a travelling caricature exhibition in twelve Tel.: +359 2 9884769, 9884769 localities. E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out Sofia and Northeast Bulgarian region with national coverage
Ethnic groups involved All ethnic groups
Project duration 12 months
27 Project title Neve Droma: new roads Project description This project involves the publication of a monthly supplement entitled Neve Droma in the Shumenska Zarya regional daily paper. The supplement is a specialised newsletter, dealing with the problems of the Romani community in the ethnically diverse Shumen region.
The project aims to create an appropriate public environment for a social and ethnocultural rapprochement between Roma Organisation and other ethnic communities in the town. High priority is - Shumen Sustainable Regional allocated to cultivating a new information environment in Development and Investment which the everyday life, the community psychology and the Agency, Shumen joys and concerns of the Roma are presented in such a way as Bozhidara Dimova to enhance the authority of the ethnic group and provide Hotel "Madara", room 104 opportunities for its fuller participation in public life. 9700, Shumen Shumen region One of the objectives is to activate all available resources Tel.: +359 54 55263 (state institutions, administrative bodies, civil society and the E-mail: [email protected] media) to highlight the problems of the Roma community and to unite the efforts of everyone in finding solutions. - Neve Droma Foundation, Shumen Nikolay Yankov 6, Beli lom Str., Bl. 1, en. 1, ap. 10 9700, Shumen Shumen region Tel.: +359 54 37512, 50822
Place/region where the project is carried out The town and region of Shumen
Ethnic groups involved All ethnic groups in the region: Roma, Turks, Bulgarians, Jews, Armenians, etc.
Project duration 9 months
28 Project title Intercultural information meetings for young reporters from the regional media Project description This project involves five training sessions with young reporters from local media, regional correspondents from national media and representatives of local communities, with a view to improving intercultural exchange processes, mutual acquaintance and establishing contacts between journalists and Roma. Participants are familiarised with the results of media monitoring and analysis of the images of ethnic and religious minorities. Various models of ethical codes for journalism regarding the fair representation of minorities in other countries are set out for the participants, with particular emphasis on the practices of the BBC in the UK.
The courses also cover international legislation and legal standards on minority rights and freedom of speech. There are three themes at the centre of discussions: Organisation - Freedom of speech and hate speech: legal and moral - Human Rights Project, Sofia problems in dialogue between minorities and the media. Kamelia Angelova - Trust and dialogue between local media and minority groups: 23, Solunska Str., floor 6 a guarantee for the sustainability of non-discriminatory 1000, Sofia presentation of minorities in public. Sofia region - Discussion of a Draft Ethical Charter for professional Tel.: +359 2 9815066, 9801163 journalism in the fair representation of minorities. E-mail: [email protected] The organisers of media forums secure the participation of young journalists and a broad circle of Roma youths from Place/region where the project is various sub-groups in their respective regions, including carried out Muslim and Evangelist Roma. The towns of Sofia, Stara Zagora, Burgas, Pleven, Montana The most interesting proposals and discussions from the five training sessions and the Draft Ethical Charter will be Ethnic groups involved published in a brochure at the end of the project. All ethnic groups in these regions
Project duration 7 months
29 Project title Encouraging self-identification as a guarantee of tolerance to "others" Project description This project takes place in two schools in Sofia with Armenian, Bulgarian, Roma and Turkish pupils. It involves out-of-school initiatives for intercultural communication and cooperation between ethnically mixed pupils, including an educational camp, competitions, round table discussions, exhibitions, etc.
Apart from getting acquainted with the various ethnic cultures, the children learn to find common ground in the values, symbols and feast days of the various ethnic groups, as well as learning skills for conflict resolution and coping with negative feelings resulting from rejecting those who are different. This all results in changes in interaction with other groups through mutual acquaintances, leading in turn to understanding and the acceptance of the others.
An Advisory Council is set up in the course of the project, Organisation including representatives of the media, public figures and a - Initiative and Tolerance Foundation, head teacher, as well as an Initiative Committee of parents, Sofia teachers, pupils and public figures to act as intermediaries Mila Popova between local ethnic communities and institutions. The Mladost, Bl. 96, En. 2, Floor 3, Ap. 24 representatives in each body are ethnically mixed. At the end 1797, Sofia of the project, a set of intercultural education materials will Sofia region be produced which summarise practices in the two schools. Tel.: +359 2 707722, 204739 This material will be brought to the attention of the Education Inspectorate with a view to using it in developing Place/region where the project is school policy in other ethnically mixed schools. carried out Sofia Sofia region
Ethnic groups involved Bulgarians, Armenians, Roma, Turks
Project duration 8 months
30 Project title Tolerant school Project description This project is an original answer to the need to promote intercultural school policies. Using what has been achieved to date in interculturalism, studies of religions and human rights, it entails elaborating a teaching strategy for tolerance. The strategy is to stimulate positive change, not only in the five Organisation pilot schools in Smolyan and one in Smilyan, but also in - Rhodopa Mountain 21st Century reaching out to Bulgarian Christian, Muslim and Romani Association, Smolyan families in the local community. The project includes a Tatyana Bektchieva training seminar for teachers, head teachers and school 4794, Polkovnik Serafimovo, governors from the pilot schools on theoretical and Smolyan municipality pedagogical issues in intercultural exchange. The seminar is Smolyan region also for representatives of the local authorities, the school Tel.: +359 2 277226, 292461, community, parents and members of the Association. +359 3039 381 Discussions centre on issues of civil education in the Smolyan E-mail: [email protected] municipality.
- Association of Rhodope The project also involves elaborating a "Training for Municipalities, Smolyan tolerance" programme to be implemented in the classroom, Ilia Godev whilst pupils take part in discussions concerning the 14, Bulgaria bul. implementation of their own projects. 4700, Smolyan Smolyan region Tel.: +359 301 24708, 23041 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out The town of Smolyan and the village of Smilyan, Smolyan region
Ethnic groups involved Bulgarians, Bulgarian-speaking Muslims (Pomaks), Roma
Project duration 9 months
31 Project title All different, all together Project description The main aim of this project is to create conditions for the social adaptation and successful integration of children from socially disadvantaged families in Golesh, near Silistra, including Bulgarian, Turkish and Romani families. A variety of activities (song and dance, pantomime, joint celebrations, exhibitions, discussions, a training seminar for working with bilingual children and many more) engage the attention of pupils, enhancing their self-confidence and giving them the Organisation chance to see themselves as part of the diversity of the world. - Demos Foundation, Silistra They are provided with the chance to overcome their negative Meral Mehmed stereotypes and prejudices in viewing differences. They get to 199 Makedonia Str., Floor 1 know about human / minority rights and about the 7500, Silistra ethnocultural values of the various ethnic groups. Silistra region Tel.: +359 86 29031, 20049 The project contributes to creating new behavioural models in E-mail: [email protected] the acceptance of otherness and in cooperating with ethnically different people. Pupils take part in out-of-school - Rodina Cultural Centre, s. Golesh, initiatives in support of members of marginalised and Kaynardzha municipality vulnerable groups. Redzheb Eredzhebov 7547, Golesh, Kaynardzha municipality Silistra region Tel.: +359 8523 232, 224
Place/region where the project is carried out The village of Golesh, Kaynardzha municipality Silistra region
Ethnic groups involved Bulgarians, Roma, Turks
Project duration 10 months
32 Project title We are different – we are friends Project description This project is a follow-up to last year’s project conducted by the Women for an Open World Association. It aims to develop intercultural communication between 9-10 year-olds from two ethnic groups living in different social and school environments, in town and in a village. Activities enrich the children’s communication skills as they study, enjoy recreation, Organisation compete and celebrate together with their parents. At the - Women for an Open World end of the project, a school intercultural education laboratory Association, Silistra will be set up. Vanushka Kertcheva 23, Sim. Veliki Str., floor 5, office 52 The activities will develop friendships between children from 7500, Silistra different ethnic and religious groups and contribute to the Silistra region social integration of Romani children. The project develops Tel.: +359 86 28214, 28712 Romani children’s language skills in Bulgarian and stimulates E-mail: [email protected] their interest in learning as a whole, thereby improving their academic performance. Broadening the scope of their - Stefan Karadzha Cultural Centre, interpersonal communication eases their transition to higher Sredishte, Kaynardzha municipality education levels. Dobrinka Madzharova 14, Dobrudzha Str. The project encourages Bulgarian children to adopt a respect 7560, Sredishte, Kaynardzha for "otherness" in society, to get to know other cultures and municipality traditions and respect them, as well as developing Silistra region cooperation skills and friendly relations with children from Tel.: +359 8518 328, 323, 289 other ethnic groups.
Place/region where the project is carried out The town of Silistra and the village of Sredishte, Kaynardzha municipality Silistra region
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians, Turks
Project duration 10 months
33 Project title Schools: a better way forward Project description This project is a follow-up to an Inter Ethnic Development Fund project from the year 2000, in which Muslim and Christian Bulgarian and Romani secondary school pupils from Breznitza, near Gotse Delchev in the Rhodopy mountains, formed a Discussion Club to bring relations between their communities into the public domain.
This year, young people are forming a Pupils’ Council, whose members will learn about protecting children’s rights. They will also act as a bridge between pupils, parents and teachers, promoting tolerant relations.
Organisation Special Interest Clubs look at the past through the songs and - Nevrokopchanka Association, traditions of the various ethnic and religious communities in Luzhnica, Goce Deltchev the locality since minorities still lack the confidence to identify municipality themselves without fear of discrimination. Ludmila Dermendzhieva Ug h.k, Bl. 4, En. 2, Ap. 11 In the Young Journalist Club, boys and girls from the various 2900, Goce Deltchev, Goce ethnic and religious communities learn to discuss issues of Deltchev municipality importance to them and their communities, and take an Blagoevgrad region active part in activities that advocate the rights of vulnerable Tel.: +359 751 27533, 7529 2071 groups. There is also a young scout club, in which 10 and 11 E-mail: [email protected] year-olds are taught the importance of the environment and that maintaining the balance of nature depends to a large Place/region where the project is extent on them themselves. carried out The village of Breznica, Goce Deltchev municipality Blagoevgrad region
Ethnic groups involved Bulgarian-speaking Muslims (Pomaks), Bulgarians
Project duration 10 months
34 Project title Elaborating an inter-ethnic development programme and working with ethnically mixed school pupils Project description This project aims to set up a pilot educational programme for inter-ethnic tolerance that can then be applied in other schools. The participating schools have Bulgarian, Romani and Karakachan children.
Organisation Eleven to eighteen year-old ethnically mixed pupils learn - Romani Youth Organisation, Sliven about the traditions, customs, culture and history of Stela Kostova Bulgarians, Roma and Karakachans through various in- and 34, Tzar Osvoboditel Str., En. 2, fl. 5 out-of-school activities. Training is provided for pupils and 8800, Sliven their parents on the nature of inter-ethnic and intercultural Sliven region dialogue. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that Tel.: +359 44 37556 integration is a two-way process, in which both the majority E-mail: [email protected] and minorities have to participate. Teachers also acquire knowledge on how to work with ethnically mixed classes. - Sliven Secondary School Creative Solutions and Public Relations Ethnically mixed groups of pupils work together through a Club, Sliven Pupils’ Council. Dimitar Dobrev Druzhba h.k. 12-B-11 8800, Sliven Sliven region Tel.: +359 44 83844, 26772 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out The town of Sliven Sliven region
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians, Karakachans
Project duration 10 months
35 Project title Development and continuity in the system of celebrations and customs in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains – Traditions and practices in the system of coexistence Project description This project follows up the Istikbal Foundation’s IED Fund project from the year 2000. This year’s project aims to Organisation implement intercultural dialogue in schools. There is a great - Istikbal Foundation, Kurdzhali need for this in Kurdzhali because of the presence of several Nuredin Ahmed ethnic and religious communities and this mix is reflected in 24, Republikanska Str. Kurdzhali’s secondary schools with children from the whole 6600, Kurdzhali region. Kurdzhali region Tel.: +359 361 24732, 21694, 26003 A club called Religions, Traditions, Morals and Culture was E-mail: [email protected] set up in 1996, with 75 pupils aged 15-18 from various ethnic and religious communities. Each year, the club enrols new 18- - Board of Governors of Yordan year-olds from five secondary schools. During the five years Yovkov School, Kurdzhali that the club has been in existence, over 350 students have Ivanka Taushanova worked in it and it has become a model school for educating 33, Al. Stambolijski Str. children in the spirit of tolerance and intercultural dialogue 6600, Kurdzhali skills. Kurdzhali region Tel.: +359 361 26003, 22027, 22752 During the last academic year, pupils from the Club got to E-mail: [email protected] know about Judaism, Christianity and Islam, discovering continuity and common ground in their beliefs, similarities in Place/region where the project is their value systems and traditions in religious tolerance. carried out The town of Kurdzhali Club activities include four elements: lectures, field Kurdzhali region observations, research and competitions. The project aims are for pupils to get acquainted with those who are different, Ethnic groups involved being brought up in a spirit of understanding, trust and Bulgarians – Christians and Muslims, tolerance. Uniats, Turks, Roma, Sunnites and Allevites
Project duration 10 months
36 Project title School: an environment for initiating and developing cultural interaction Project description This project aims to reduce the social isolation of the Roma from Senovo and Krivnya, a town and a village respectively in the Rousse region, by involving Romani children and their parents in school life and stimulating interaction between Bulgarian, Turkish and Romani children. The school strives to become attractive to all pupils. One way of doing this is by creating conditions for intercultural dialogue between children and parents from different ethnic communities.
The project has developed a methodology for working with bilingual children, through the use of pupils’ Organisation practical projects, enriching the school curriculum and - Integro Association: Centre for attracting the interest of children across the different Information, Consultations and Aid groups. for Roma from the Vetovo Municipality, Senovo Out-of-school activities in the project include woodwork, Lilia Makaveeva gardening, needlework and beekeeping. An 1, Vl. Zaimov, En. 2, Ap. 8 ethnographic study group examines the customs and 7038, Senovo, Vetovo municipality traditions of the various ethnic groups, while a mixed Rousse region music and dance group pays tribute to the music of all Tel.: +359 8315 2211 the ethnic groups involved. Further activities include a E-mail: [email protected] monthly school newspaper that reports on the findings of the ethnographic research. Place/region where the project is carried out The village of Krivnya, Senovo municipality Rousse region
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians, Turks
Project duration 10 months
37 Project title Your world is mine too Project description The principle of cultural interaction is fundamental to this project, in which 7-15 year-old Bulgarian, Turkish and Romani children take part. The aims include enhancing pupils’ citizen awareness, introducing intercultural education and stimulating individual abilities and skills in working on an equal footing in ethnically diverse teams.
The project involves radio broadcasts produced by pupils and special interest clubs. Children get to know the various cultural features of their local communities. The World Religions Club acquaints pupils with the various aspects of religions around the world and their heritage. The Life and Culture Club helps them learn about ethnic traditions and customs, while the Polemic Club involves discussions, role- Organisation playing, questionnaires and other ways of activating - Board of Governors of G. C. intercultural dialogue. A Correspondence Club establishes pen Rakovski Primary School, Novo friends from different ethnic groups around the country, Selo, Rousse region whilst the Solidarity Club aims at helping and campaigning in Tatyana Mineva support of vulnerable communities. 7, Treti mart Str. 7052, Novo selo, Ruse municipality Rousse region Tel.: +359 8113 2242, +359 82 22666 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out The village of Novo Selo, Rousse municipality Rousse region
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians, Turks
Project duration 9 months
38 Project title Young volunteers for human rights Project description This project takes place in two neighbouring schools in the capital city. One of them has predominantly Romani pupils, while the other has traditions in civil education.
The project aims at helping to overcome the intolerant attitudes of Bulgarian school children to Roma, to activate young people as citizens and to encourage Romani children to continue their education.
Organisation Under the project, all pupils are trained in human rights and - Association of United Nations in two young volunteer human rights clubs are formed. The Bulgaria, Sofia clubs are connected up to the internet and have the UNESCO Petranka Fileva software for registering cases of human rights infringements. 12, Vasil Aprilov Str. The pupils not only register these infringements, but also 1504, Sofia investigate and discuss them. In the school with mostly Sofia region Romani pupils, the emphasis is on protection of minority Tel.: +359 2 9434318, 9434318 rights. E-mail: [email protected] The interaction between Bulgarian and Romani children helps - Roma Initiative Foundation, Sofia them to get to know and understand each other better. Bistra Andreeva Through the project, the ethnically different Boards of 53, Han Asparuh Str. Governors of the two schools respond to the local need to 1000, Sofia improve the level of education for Romani children, creating Sofia region conditions for their full participation in school life and Tel.: +359 2 9802951 enhancing young people’s participation as citizens. E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out Sofia
Ethnic groups involved Roma, Bulgarians
Project duration 10 months
39 40 O E e T RZEGOVINA SNIA AND b IA Sarajevo Bratislava Padgorica HUNGARY SLOVAK REP. Tirana NEGRO MONTE ALBANIA Budapest YUGOSLAVIA FED. REP. OF SERBIA Belgrade MACEDONIA FYR GREECE Skopje Sofia ROMANIA BULGARIA Bucharest MOLDOVA Chisinau TURKEY
Romania
Project title Access road and refuge for travellers at Chiheru de Jos Project description The project aims to bring together Roma and Romanian Organisation/s involved people from Chiheru de Jos to solve a community problem (a Chiheru de Jos Town Hall refuge and an access road). When the project started, Principala Street, nr. 81 communication between the two ethnic groups was minimal Mures County but it is hoped that by developing common activities, Tel.: +40 90 193 581 members of the two ethnic groups will have the chance to
Place/region where the project is interact, communicate and get to know each other better. carried out Chiheru de Jos, Mures County
Ethnic groups involved Roma and Romanians
Project duration 1 December 2001 – 31 May 2002
Project title Community Development in Almasu, Salaj County Project description The project is located in a region declared by the Romanian Organisation/s involved Government as an Unfavourable Zone. The applicant is a Wassdas Foundation Romani organisation. R. Descartes Street, no. 6 3400 Cluj-Napoca The aim of the project is to improve ethnic relations within Cluj County the community by involving members of the three ethnic Tel.: +40 64 439 060 E-mail: [email protected] groups in common activities. The scope of the project goes from educational to cultural and infrastructure activities (such Place/region where the project is as repairing the schools tiled stoves). carried out Almasu, Salaj County
Ethnic groups involved Hungarians, Roma and Romanians
Project duration 1 December 2001 – 31 May 2002
43 Project title Art for preventing violence Project description The project aims to encourage learning experience through Organisation/s involved diversity. 18 deaf children will practice together assertiveness Homo Ludens Foundation using non-verbal artistic techniques. Step by step the group Maramuresului Street, 182/3 will grow to include teachers, friends, parents and specialists. 3400 Cluj Napoca The project specifically aims to develop tolerance for those Cluj County who are different, to form social skills and develop Tel.: +40 64 406 169 E-mail: [email protected] intercultural communication. Children in need, such as deaf children, can offer a model of dialogue… even if they are Place/region where the project is unable to communicate with words. carried out Cluj Napoca, Cluj County
Ethnic groups involved Hungarian, Roma and Romanian deaf children
Project duration 1 November 2001 – 30 June 2002
Project title Joint flight Project description The project aims to develop communication between children Organisation from different ethnic groups and to encourage Romanian Roma House Association children and adults to get to know other/s and to build Marasesti Street, no. 26 respect for each other. 2200 Ploiesti Prahova County Romani and Romanian children will work with the actors of Tel.: +40 44 196 292 the Puppet Theatre in Ploesti to create and perform together Place/region where the project is a play inspired by Mark Twain’s work: The "Prince and the carried out Beggar". The play will be performed in the theatre and in Ploiesti, Prahova County schools trying to generate positive habits and attitudes among children. The project focuses on children, because they Ethnic groups involved are more open to change and to overcoming negative Romanian and Roma stereotypes and prejudices. Project duration 1 December 2001 – 31 July 2002
44 Project title Better conditions for Cultural House in Svinita Project description Set in a region where the majority is represented by Serbians, the project aim is to create better conditions for cultural and interethnic dialogue in the region. Svinita is the host town for many cultural events in the area, but due to the poor state of repair of the building used for such events, festivals were held in very bad conditions. For the people of the community these events contribute to local development.
The project supported only the materials while the people in the community did the work itself.
Svinita will host the interethnic festival to be organised by the beneficiaries of the programme at the end of August.
Organisation/s involved - Svinita Town Hall 2 Street, no. 26 1546 Svinita Mehedinti County Tel.: +40 52 368 253
- The Serbs Union in Romania, Svinita Branch 1546 Svinita Mehedinti County Tel.: +40 52 368 295
Place/region where the project is carried out Svinita, Mehedinti County
Ethnic groups involved Romanian and Serbian
Project duration 1 December 2001 – 31 January 2002
45 Project title Habitat arrangement in Suceag Village Project description This project takes place in a poor neighbourhood in the Organisation village of Suceag and aims to encourage people from this Romanian Foundation for Child small community to help themselves to improve their life and Community and Family to participate in the life of their community. By working R. Descartes Street, no. 6 together they will offer an example of interethnic 3400 Cluj Napoca Cluj County cooperation to the rest of the village and will encourage Tel.: +40 64 194 893 sustainable development. E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out Suceag Village, Cluj County
Ethnic groups involved Romanian, Romani and Hungarian
Project duration 1 March 2002 – 31 August 2002
Project title Education house Project description The project is trying to address the needs of the poor Organisation population of Mera (where the majority of the inhabitants Christian Foundation Diakonia are Roma) by creating conditions for social adaptation and Ponorului Street, no. 1 3400 Cluj Napoca successful integration. Cluj County Tel.: +40 64 441 971 The purpose of the project is to attract and involve both the E-mail: [email protected] children and their parents in educational and out of school activities. They will work together to set up a new cafeteria, Place/region where the project is tourist attractions, prepare food for the children and hold carried out Mera Village, Cluj County classes for illiterate people.
Ethnic groups involved Romani and Hungarian
Project duration 1 December 2001 – 31 July 2002
46 Project title Equal chances for Romani children Project description Set in a neighbourhood where the majority is Romani (85% of the population) the project aims to offer equal educational opportunities for all children. The project focuses on the renovation of the old kindergarten (built 100 years ago), so that all children will have access to education. Due to the poor conditions of the school, its 47 children were moved into one room of the school. This space is obviously insufficient and as a result many parents, especially Romani parents, refused to send their children to school or moved their children to another kindergarten in Lugoj.
Organisation - Lugoj Town Hall, Victoriei Square, no. 4 1800 Lugoj Timis County Tel.: +40 56 351 620 E-mail: [email protected]
- General School Maguri-Lugoj Dreptatii Street, nr. 34 1800 Timis Tel.: +40 56 354 652
Place/region where the project is carried out Maguri Village, Timis County
Ethnic groups involved Romani, Ukrainian, Hungarian and Romanian children
Project duration 8 months
47 Project title Non-formal education for children from different ethnic groups Project description The aim of the project is to create a social space characterised by ethnical and linguistic heterogeneity, where cultural communication and cooperation can increase children’s’ sensitivity to ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity. The basic idea of the project is to promote interethnic dialogue between members of the same community who currently have only sporadic contacts with each other. 30 children from Cluj will be brought together to participate in joint activities such as photographic art, contemporary and modern dance and computer graphics. The project does not intend to lay down specific guidelines about how individuals should react to cultural diversity because rules that try to adjust the nature of interethnic relations sometimes produce the exact opposite to the desired effect.
Organisation - Tranzit Foundation Decebal Street, no. 43 3400 Cluj Napoca Cluj County Tel.: +40 64 194 039 E-mail: [email protected]
- Romano Suno Association Str. Somesului, nr. 18 3400 Cluj Napoca Tel.: +40 92 943 744
Place/region where the project is carried out Cluj Napoca, Cluj County
Ethnic groups involved Hungarian, Romani and Romanian children
Project duration 15 November 2001 – 15 July 2002
48 e T R S b IA Sarajevo ZEGOVINA NIA AND Bratislava Padgorica HUNGARY SLOVAK REP. Tirana NEGRO MONTE ALBANIA Budapest YUGOSLAVIA FED. REP. OF SERBIA Belgrade MACEDONIA FYR GREECE Skopje Sofia ROMANIA BULGARIA Bucharest MOLDOVA Chisinau TURKEY
Serbia
Project title Roma Kindergarten – Ilo Project description The Romani kindergarten family centre "Ilo" (Heart) caters for 30 children who are preparing for enrolment in elementary school and beyond (three hours per day). Of the 150 Romani Organisation children in the town, only 10-15 of them had been admitted - Committee for Women’s Human
to state-run kindergartens, so there was a real need for such
Rights "Juca",^ Ljiljana^ Janes a kindergarten. The programme also includes working with Mose Pijade 92/2, parents (through lectures and consultations) on the premises 19210 Bor of the kindergarten. Tel.: 030 441 192 Mobile: 064 155 74 90 The children work in two groups, from 9am to 12am, Monday E-mail:[email protected] to Friday. Two assistants from the Romani community and a - Human Right Committee, professional teacher work with them. Children are provided
, Dragan^ Strlic with a snack. A number of topics are covered in the work with Mose Pijade 92/2, the children including familiarisation with the environment, 19210 Bor learning road safety, developing verbal capabilities, counting Tel.: 030 456 240 and measuring, songs and singing, reading and fairy tails and Mobile: 063 405 369 E-mail: [email protected], drawing. For the New Year the children prepared a play, followed by songs, some sung together, others as solos.
- Romani Association "BaroIlo", Parents and representatives of other ethnic groups attended Djemail^ Seljmanov this event. Timocke Bune 21/2, 19210 Bor Cooperation between the teacher, the assistants and the E-mail: [email protected]
parents has been very good. Consultations are held on a daily - Kindergarten^ basis when parents pick up their children, as well as in groups Mose Pijade 44/2, when a particular issue needs to be discussed. Assistants make 19210 Bor regular visits to the families and inform them about their Tel.: 030 22 750 children’s work. Parents are involved in the work of the kindergarten by helping to maintain it (small repairs, help Place/region where the project is carried out with transporting goods, etc). The teacher and assistants have Central Serbia the impression that the children are showing improvement in all the aspects of their work. Ethnic groups involved Romani, Serbian
Project duration 12 months (1 September 2001 - 1 September 2002)
51 Project title Who am I, who are you Project description The project comprises activities for 28 children aged 9-12 and their parents, from four ethnic communities. The purpose is
for participants to get to know each other and learn about elements of national^ cultures and customs ("slava", "imendani", "maskare", Christmas, Easter, "Kirbaj", St. Valentine, St. Sava). Lecturers who know the customs of their communities are invited as guests to the various workshops. Children show simulated wedding customs in the town square in Kovin (on four subsequent Sundays). Full media coverage is provided.
29 workshops have been held to date, in which children learned to count and to introduce themselves in all four languages. Participants were also introduced to children’s rights in all languages, learned 8 songs (two in each language), learned one song with four verses, each in a different language, prepared role-plays for each of the songs and so on. The children prepared a performance for the Czech holiday St. Vaclavs day, and the Czech community provided them traditional, colourful costumes. The Ambassador of Czech Republic, Ms. Judita Stourchova, and the Cultural Attaché, Ivona Berankova, attended this event. Representatives from all the local media covered this gathering. During the last week of November all the participants visited the village of Skorenovac, which is inhabited by Hungarians, and attended the celebration for the beginning of the Christmas holiday that starts four weeks before the Catholic Christmas as well as attending an art exhibition and a concert of traditional Hungarian music. Children therefore learned about the Christmas tradition in different cultures and for Christmas Eve participants visited the church in the village of Skorenovac. Workshops before the Orthodox Christmas were dedicated to Serb traditions for Christmas and on the Orthodox Christmas Eve they participated in ceremonies for that holiday. Another Orthodox holiday, St. Sava, was the topic of another
52 workshop. Children from an elementary school held an open
workshop attended by parents, school authorities, and representatives of the media. They also^ participated in the celebration of the Czech holiday "Fasanke" in the town of Bela Crkva. It was their first performance outside of Kovin. Two children won second prize in a competition for the best mask. Preparations for the simulation of wedding customs of all four communities are being held and this event will take place in the Public Square of Kovin, with full local media coverage.
Organisation/s involved A number of organisations from south Banat, coordinated by "Focid" from Kovin (Matica Czech MO Gaj, Salamsag from the Hungarian village of Skorenovac and the Society for cherishing Romanian history, culture and language of Kovin county) Focid
^ , Dusan Milic Ive Lole Ribara br.2, 1300 Kovin Mobile: 064 174 0148 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out Banat, Southern Vojvodina
Ethnic groups involved Hungarian, Romanian, Czech, Serbian
Project duration 9 months (1 September 2001 - 31 May 2002)
53 Project title Little school of tolerance Project description 6 two-day seminars in 6 towns of Sandjak, for 180 teachers Organisation and professors. Training in non-violent communication, - Cultural Centre "Damad", Novi Pazar tolerance and respect for differences. Every seminar consisted Zibija Sarenkapic of lectures and discussions on the "role of teaching staff in the , Vuka Karadjica 6 promotion of equality and tolerance." Tel.: 020 311 722, 27 483 Tel/fax: 020 21 496 KCDamad promoted this project at a conference held on 21 Mobile: 063 84 646 84 September 2001. Six seminars were held in towns in the E-mail: [email protected] Sanjak region: Priboj, Prijepolje, Nova Varos, Tutin, Sjenica and Novi Pazar. More than 130 teachers and school principals - Impuls, Tutin participated. There is great interest amongst all the schools in Djeneta Agovic the towns to organise further seminars for the school staff. Ibarska 16, The seminar programme involved presenting the book 36320 Tutin "Human Rights – a teachers’ manual" and 6 workshops. The Tel.: 020 87 131 manual is a practical guide and enables teachers to find Mobile: 063 84 64 511 information and hints on dealing with issues of E-mail: [email protected] multiculturalism, human rights and how to implement them. Workshops are designed to familiarise teachers with new, - Women’s Forum From Prijepolje interactive methods of teaching. The final evaluation seminar Mileva Malisic will be held in Novi Pazar, with five representatives attending Stadion 7/25, from each town. That evaluation seminar is running a bit 31300 Prijepolje behind schedule since the last two seminars planned for Tel.: 033 23 159 January 2002 were postponed because of snowdrifts. Mobile: 064 193 39 62 E-mail: [email protected]
Place/region where the project is carried out Sanjak
Ethnic groups involved Bosniak/Muslim, Montenegrin, Serbian, Romani
Project duration 6 months (August 2001 - January 2002)
54 Project title Village women together Project description Educational workshops for women from 10 Bosniak, Montenegrin and Serbian villages, living in a cross-border area (20 participants from each village), with the goal of breaking down fear of violence from war and the politics of war, as well as promoting the idea of richness in differences. Exhibitions of hand-made objects and exploring the possibility of economic empowerment of these women by helping them market their products are further activities proposed by this project.
Over the six-month period, ten workshops were organised in ten villages of the Prijepolje municipality, for 185 women from Montenegrin, Bosniak/Muslim and Serbian ethnic groups, initiating a dialogue between these women. In some cases it was the first time that neighbours who had lived in the same village for years had got to know each other. Organisation Exhibitions of their hand-made objects provided them with Women’s Forum From Prijepolje the opportunity to develop their new friendships. Seminars Mileva Malisic were evaluated through evaluation papers and narrative Stadion 7/25, reports. For most of the women, who came from rural areas, 31300 Prijepolje it was the first time they had ever participated in such an Tel.: 033 23 159 activity. All of them were satisfied with the topics and work Mobile: 064 193 39 62 methods. They pointed out that they had learned a lot about E-mail: [email protected] tolerance and how to live together, and that they intended to continue to work together on those issues. The conclusion Place/region where the project is after analysing the evaluating papers is that the women had carried out gained more self-respect and self-confidence and that they Sanjak (border region to Bosnia and are ready to continue networking and organising joint Montenegro) activities.
Ethnic groups involved Bosniak/Muslim, Montenegrin, Serbian
Project duration 5 months
55 Project title Let’s practice tolerance Project description The objective is to teach about interethnic tolerance from an early age, starting in elementary school. Proposed activities include monthly school newspapers in all the languages of the communities, language classes of other ethnic communities, mutual exchanges of songs and customs and the organisation of excursions and contests for all the children from the different ethnic communities. The activities are designed for 200 children, 200 of their parents and 25 teachers.
The team of experts held a meeting with teachers from local schools and presented the project and its goals. Three public classes were held about the history of the Croats, Hungarians and Serbs, each centred on the life of a famous person from each of the nation’s history. An excursion to Budapest to visit the monument and library bearing the same name as the Organisation Subotica elementary school (changed in June 2001) was made Open Perspectives from Subotica in in December, as well as a trip to the Belgrade Book Fair. In cooperation with a School for parents December a celebration of the Catholic Christmas was from the same city organised, to which a Methodist and an Orthodox priest were Verona Molnar invited. The group is collecting traditional costumes and items Limska 12, in different languages for the school newspapers. Other 24000 Subotica activities planned for the forthcoming period include an art Tel.: 024 555 615, 552 382, 555 797 competition entitled "Let’s practice tolerance", sports E-mail: [email protected] competitions and presentations of ethnic dishes from the cuisines of the various communities. Place/region where the project is carried out Northern Vojvodina
Ethnic groups involved Hungarian, Croat, Serb, German, Rumanian, Romani
Project duration 12 months (1 September 2001- 1 September 2002)
56 Project title Let’s learn how to better understand each other Project description The objective of this project, implemented in the village of Boljevci, is to prepare Slovak children who are not good in both the Slovakian and Serbian languages for elementary school. The beneficiaries include some 70 Slovak and Serbian children, aged 6-15, who are taught in 4 groups, once a week for 2 hours per day, in speech, drama, art and music workshops. Workshops for the parents are also planned in order to explain to them the importance of their children becoming fully bilingual.
The project has finished after a total of 82 workshops. The first group prepared children who were about to start school and those in first and second grade, the second was for third and four graders, the third for fifth and six graders, and the fourth group consisted of children who attend seventh and eighth grade. The second group comprised 21 children, whilst Organisation the other groups had between 12 and 19. Among the The Big Small World, Boljevac younger children there were more Slovakians, whilst in the Marina Rakocevic Buncic older groups there were approximately the same numbers of Brace Ljubinkovic 82 Serbians and Slovaks. The workshops were held in parallel in Petrovcic – Beograd the two languages Serbian and Slovakian. The best response Tel/Fax: 011 8438 759 among the younger children was to workshops dedicated to Mobile: 064 147 58 65 Slovakian plays and songs: the older ones especially liked E-mail: [email protected] activities held outside the school, such as trips to the nearby forest or the monastery of Fenek, where the children were Place/region where the project is taught about plants, birds, the weather and other related carried out topics in both languages. Children were also taken to the Srem, Southern Vojvodina cinema, theatre and zoo in Belgrade since there are no such facilities in their own small villages. Ethnic groups involved Slovak, Serbian The response from local community was fantastic. The direct impact of the Programme has been renewed interest in school Project duration classes held in the Slovakian language. That option had not 3 months (1 October- 31 December been considered by parents for many years because they 2001) believed that their children would adapt better if they
57 attended school in Serbian, thereby neglecting their own language and culture. All of the pupils of the newly formed class held in Slovakian are children who participated in the project supported by the Interethnic Programme. Among child participants in the Programme, there is better communication with children coming from different ethnic groups, they socialise more and during school break they are no longer divided according to ethnic criteria. As a result of the project there are many new friendships, not only among the children but also among the parents from different ethnic backgrounds.
58 Project title My Friend the Computer Project description Computer training for 240 children in groups of 10 (5 PCs with 2 children sharing it, every group 7 hrs per week). The city of Sjenica is in a poor, remote part of the country where up to now children have not had the possibility of learning even the basics in PC literacy. The population is ethnically mixed, with approximately 75% Bosniacs/Muslims, 20% Serbs and the rest of population belonging to the Albanian, Montenegrin and Romani communities. The premises of the NGO "Flores" will also provide a meeting point where youngsters will organise lectures, debates and meetings on topics of common interest.
From the very beginning of the project implementation in September 2001, the interest of the local community was really high. Almost 400 young people applied for the course, although only 240 of them could be trained because of the limited technical capacities. By the end of March 2002 trainers had given 1920 classes and young people Organisation had learnt Word, Excel and graphics programmes. Citizen Association "Flores", Sjenica,
Vrcic Sedat After completion of the course the children took a test, the average Njegoseva^ 19, result of which was 79%. The "Flores" premises became the meeting 36310 Sjenica point for all of the youngsters, even out of classes. Their parents also Tel.: 020 71 260, considered the venue as a community centre where many other needs Fax: 020 71 067 could be met, besides acquiring computer literacy. Many parents Mobile: 063 8383 433 renewed old friendships, which had been frozen since the politically E-mail: [email protected] turbulent time when nationalists from both sides prevented them from socialising with "the other side". Anyone needing any kind of Place/region where the project is volunteer help could call throughout the day, knowing that there carried out would always be someone young there to go to the pharmacy or Sanjak elsewhere, even at the time of the heavy snow common in that mountainous region. People from the local community knew they Ethnic groups involved could rely on the teenagers and in return they made many gifts to Bosniak/Muslim, Serbian, Romani "Flores". One local entrepreneur bought them a carpet, another one provided notebooks for all 240 kids, others a fax machine, Project duration bookshelves and so on. One small organisation did more to improve 12 months (1 September 2001 - interethnic relations in that town than any educational, cultural or 1 September 2002) governmental institution.
59 Project title Women for peace Project description In South Serbia, where there are still tense interethnic relations and national communities are divided, a group of Albanian, Serbian and Romani women decided to organise a sewing course for young girls from all ethnic communities to give them a chance to learn together and to communicate on a daily basis. Two groups of 10-15 Romani, Serbian and Albanian girls attended a 3-month sewing course and in the afternoons they participated in events that created an atmosphere of cooperation and tolerance. The relevance of the project is obvious from the fact that Bujanovac is a city of frequent interethnic incidents and problems across all aspects of social life.
Two sewing instructors, one Albanian and one Serbian, simultaneously held lectures in both languages, making all participants communicate the same way. After three months of intensive instruction an exam was scheduled at the People’s University" of Vrbas. 27 women passed the exam and were awarded certificates. Many of them are going to be employed by the branch of a textile manufacturer from Vranje, the Organisation others will jointly open a small business since there is a need Women’s Group from Bujanovac for sewing services in the town. The final event of the project Petra Drapsina 3, was a fashion show, organised for the representatives of all 17520 Bujanovac other NGO’s, international organisations present in Bujanovac Tel/Fax: 017 652 429 and the local media. It was the first fashion show ever in the town. There is great interest among the women for this Place/region where the project is Programme and almost 90 are now on the waiting list for the carried out next course. Southern Serbia (border region between Kosovo and Macedonia)
Ethnic groups involved Albanian, Romani, Serbian
Project duration 3 months (October-December 2001.)
60 Project title Tell me, I`ll tell you Project description In autumn 2001 in the town of Sombor, graffiti full of hatred and threats to the members of other ethnic communities than Serbs (who are the majority) began to appear. CI considered it important to support a local NGO which wanted to confront rising xenophobia in that town with immediate action. Activists of the NGO, all trained in non-violent communication skills, proposed to set up intensive workshops with teenagers on topics of interethnic tolerance, overcoming prejudices, acceptance of differences etc. The first joint activities planned in the project involve covering the offensive graffiti with posters and paintings promoting interethnic tolerance. Continuous work with children in secondary schools should result in creating a core group of young people ready to react to interethnic incidents and hate-speech.
In December 2001 work started with three groups, each of 10- 15 youngsters, although later on the number of participants
Organisation increased. A total of 72 youngsters from all ethnic ^ Dusa i ja, Sombor communities were involved and in three months they met 40 Svilar Edita times. Half of the meetings were centred on organised Staparski put C11/2, workshop activities with four trainers/facilitators and the 25000 Sombor other half were dedicated to "action orientated" activities Tel.: 025 33 838; 025 36 296 (collecting data on the places with racist graffiti, discussions E-mail: [email protected] with the owners of the buildings to obtain permission to put up the posters and write counter-graffiti, drawing and Place/region where the project is printing posters and finally distributing them throughout the carried out city). In the mean time young activists took part in the round Western Vojvodina table on anti-Semitism and organised a meeting in a retirement home with the topic "Interethnic relations past Ethnic groups involved and present". It was a good opportunity for youngsters to Hungarian, Serbian, Romani, Croatian, learn from elderly people the history of good relations Rhutenians, Muslims between different ethnic communities and to identify the reasons for the present intolerance and even hatred between Project duration them. 3 months (1 December 2001- 28 February 2002)
61 62 Contact information
General coordination of the programme Jan Balliu, King Baudouin Foundation E-mail: [email protected] Mariana Milosheva, Regional Consultant to the programme E-mail: [email protected]
Country Coordinating Partners
For Albania Human Development Promotion Centre Rruga “Vaso Pasha”, P 9/1, Ap. 4, Tirana, Albania Tel./Fax: +355 4 253 300 Lindita Xhillari, Director Violetta Zuma, Programme Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]
For Bulgaria Inter-Ethnic Initiative for Human Rights Foundation 9A, Graf Ignatiev Street, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel.: +359 2 980 17 16 – Fax: +359 2 980 01 08 www.cit.bg/~inetin. Kalina Bozeva, Director Elena Gyurova, Programme Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]
For Romania Ethnocultural Diversity Resource Centre Street Tebei, 21, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania Tel.: +40 64 420 480 – Fax: +40 64 420 470 www.edrc.ro Levente Salat, Director Mariana Salagean, Programme Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]
63 For Serbia Civic Initiatives Vlajkoviceva 17, 11000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia Tel./Fax: +381 11 33 43 011 www.gradjanske.org Miljenko Dereta, Director Natasa Rasic (till 1 June 2002), Natasa Savic (since 1 June 2002) E-mail: [email protected]
For Macedonia Foundation Open Society Institute – Macedonia Bul. Jane Sandanski 111 91000 Skopje, Macedonia Tel.: + 389 2 444 488 ext. 108 www.ierse.org.mk Suncica Kostovska, Coordinator Civil Society Programme Hajrije Ahmed, Programme Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]
64 Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Central/Eastern Europe and Russia
The C.S. Mott Foundation is an endowed, nonprofit, and private grantmaking foundation based in Flint, Michigan with a regional office in Prague, Czech Republic. Among other programs, the Foundation awards grants to nonprofit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) and Russia to contribute to the development of democratic, pluralistic societies. The mission of the CEE/Russia program is to promote and support civil society through three grantmaking objectives: 1. strengthening the nonprofit sector; 2. promoting citizen rights and responsibilities; 3. improving race and ethnic relations.
The Foundation has active in-country programming in Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. The Foundation also makes grants to programs that address cross border and regional issues, as well as those that benefit the entire CEE/Russia region.
65 Soros Foundations Network
To transform closed societies into open ones and to protect and expand the values of existing open societies is the common mission of the Open Society Network. To this end, the various entities of the Open Society Network fund and operate an array of activities dealing with the arts and culture broadly defined; the strengthening of civil society; economic development and reform; education at all levels and in diverse subject areas; human rights, with special attention to the rights of marginalized groups; legal reform and public administration; media and information, including publishing and support for libraries; and public health.
The Open Society Network consists of 32 autonomous institutions established in countries or regions to initiate or support open society activities. Soros foundations are located primarily in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, as well as South Africa, Haiti and Guatemala. In South East Europe, the Open Society Network has foundations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. These foundations are increasingly involved in regional programmes. Increasingly, however, the network has branched out globally to include two regional foundations in Southern and Western Africa that are grant giving in up to 27 African countries.
Additionally, special initiatives exist dealing with issues of global significance (e.g. landmines project and Roma programmes) and programmes that benefit countries where no national foundation exists (e.g. Belarusian initiatives and Burma project).
The national foundations are independent entities with their own boards of directors, staff, programme priorities, application guidelines and grant making procedures. In addition to operating their own programmes, the foundations award grants – principally to local organisations and individuals.
In 2001, the Soros Foundations Network’s expenditures totaled approximately $500 million.
www.soros.org
66 The King Baudouin Foundation: more than 25 years of service to society
The King Baudouin Foundation is an independent and pluralistic public-welfare foundation which was founded in 1976. At that time King Baudouin, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his coronation, expressed his desire to create a foundation that would work to improve living conditions for the population.
It is still pursuing that same mission. From 2002 to 2005 we will be focusing our efforts mainly on four programmes. In ‘Social Justice’ we are seeking to create more opportunities for vulnerable people. ‘Civil Society’ is intended to give citizens’ initiatives more impact. ‘Governance’ involves people in debate and decision-maiking on science and technology and on production and consumption patterns. ‘Funds and Contemporary Philanthropy’ encourages contemporary forms of generosity, provides services to donors and manages named, specific and company funds. Finally we also have ‘Specific initiatives’ which respond to needs in society or new trends.
Our activities take place at the local, regional and federal levels. We also reinforce the European dimension of our initiatives, since our ambition is to become a European foundation in Belgium. In all our programmes we pay particular attention to cultural and gender diversity. We provide a forum for consultation between experts and citizens from different backgrounds. We use various working methods: we carry out conceptual work, set up our own initiatives and also provide financial support for third party projects. We are engaged in both short-term and long-term work.
You can find more information on our website: www.kbs-frb.be Practical details, tel.: +32 2 511 18 40, fax: +32 2 511 52 21 or e-mail: [email protected] King Baudouin Foundation, rue Brederodestraat 21, BE-1000 Brussels
67