Over one hundred representatives of local self-governance, international and domestic foundations, nongovernmental organizations active in the sphere of minority rights participated in the conference. All of ombudsman’s regional offices as well as media confirm their interest about the topic with their participation at the conference. The aim of the conference was to present the results of the two-year implementation of the program Minority Rights in Practice in RM. In addition, the conference provided space for sharing experiences and practices from applied local policies for sustainable development of the communities.

A coalition between HDPC, local NGOs, representatives of the Roma community and the coordinator of the Roma Community Center in Elbasan has successfully lobbied the Mayor and Municipal Council in Elbasan to provide funds that will enable the Roma Community Centre to continue its invaluable work in Albanian language teaching for children, after other funding ended.

Five debates examined the equitable representation of ethnic communities living in Macedonia. Recommendations stressed the importance of quality teaching in minorities’ mother tongues and increasing the number of people employed in local institutions and public enterprises. The positive role of NGOs and the need to enhance collaboration between NGOs and local government were also highlighted.

Two events in Zagreb continued public discussion on the implementation of the Constitutional Law on the Rights of National Minorities. A round table focused on the right to equal official use of the written and spoken languages of national minorities. A conference in Zagreb considered outstanding issues and progress made since the 2005 conference on the legislation, organised by the OSCE Mission to Croatia.

Two meetings discussed how to develop wider understanding among civil servants of the role of public administration in accommodating diversity and developing good governance practices at local level, in order to address the needs of minorities.

National Councils represent not only national minorities in Serbia: they also represent minorities’ cultural autonomy and are therefore an important element in the institutional framework that regulates minority rights. Civic Initiatives decided to hold 4 seminars devoted to empowering these councils. The first seminar was held in October 2006 with representatives of the Romanian National Council.

HLC has recently issued its report on the status of human rights among ethnic communities in Kosovo. The report says that significant improvements have been made in freedom of movement and in the integration of the Turkish, Bosniak, Ashkali and Egyptian ethnic communities, but little progress has been made with regard to the Serbs or Roma. The report sets out 15 recommendations for institutions in Kosovo and UNMIK.

Launched in 2004, the Minority Rights in Practice project (MRP) aims to increase opportunities for the inclusion and participation of ethnic minorities in the countries of South-East Europe in view of their European integration objectives. Strategic grants amounting to a total of € 285,000 have been approved for Phase II of the programme (2006-2008).

In addition to strategic grants, the the King Baudouin Foundation occasionally supports proposals for advocacy and policy initiatives to be implemented at the regional and European level (public awareness campaigns, conferences, policy events, cross-border projects…). In 2006, three projects have been approved with grants totalling € 35,000.