Background

Macedonia became peacefully independent from Yugoslavia in 1991. Today, the country’s 2 million inhabitants include a number of national minorities and more than six languages are spoken. Common Values is a citizens’ association, created in Skopje in 2005, with a view to supporting interethnic dialogue and community development.

Mission

Common Values’ mission is to initiate and support civic dialogue to encourage the equal participation of all ethnic communities in the Republic of Macedonia in sustainable development at local and national level.

Position

The main activities of the association are to lobby for the rights of the ethnic communities and their participation in developing public policy that will improve the legal framework and the efficient implementation of the law that guarantees minority rights in the Republic of Macedonia.

Objectives

• To secure legislation concerning the rights of ethnic communities and its appropriate implementation;
• To build capacity in the civic sector for successful recognition of problems and needs, as well as active participation in the decision making process;
• To develop international cooperation and exchange of experience.