Democratic stabilization is one of the priorities of the political criteria being implemented by the Government of Croatia. It implies the fostering of integration and protection of minority groups into local communities and defines a number of sustainability aspects, including good inter-ethnic relations in local communities.

Against this background, WYG International is currently managing this politically complex programme which, in its broadest sense, aims to develop democratic stabilization through the protection of the rights of minorities. More specifically, WYG International experts are helping to strengthen the capacity of established National Minority Councils effectively to implement their mandate and actively contribute to the integrated development of local communities that the minority groups they represent are part of.

Although associations and other forms of representation of minorities do exist in Croatia, established at the initiative of proactive groups and leaders, the Councils of National Minorities are potentially an important additional channel for the participation of national minorities in decision making processes.

The work will involve the specific actions to:

• Foster active participation of Councils of National Minorities in public life and overall development of the communities of which they are part;
• Increase the efficiency of the Councils;
• Increase the knowledge of Council members, as well as of that of local authorities, concerning the role of the Councils;
• Support the establishment of sustainable mechanisms for inter-ethnic and inter-institutional dialogue and cooperation at all levels, including facilitating contacts and collaboration between Councils of National Minorities representing different minority groups and fostering sustainable mechanisms of vertical coordination between minority representations at national and local level;
• Increase the understanding and the confidence of the public at large, the local authorities and the minority population in the minority representational setting established by the Constitutional Law and to raise their interest in the council elections.