Civic Network for Cultural Pluralism and Intercultural Integration in Southeastern Europe (1997-1999)

The project aimed at improving communication and cooperation among Balkan NGOs working in the field of multicultural integration in Bulgaria and Romania.

The project included three stages: 1) exploring the field: collecting data, comparative analysis and data selection, and organizing national workshops in Bulgaria and in Romania; 2) cross-national debate and development of a training programme which included study tours to Hungary, fact-finding mission to Macedonia and Albania and international working seminar; 3) preparing database, elaborating common standards for description and evaluation of the issues related to multiculturalism, presentation and feedback preceded the establishing of network centers.

As a result, electronic data-exchange on multiculturalism was set up through the development of three central databases (in Antwerp, in Sofia and in Cluj). They present data on the problems of multiculturalism in South-East Europe, on the organizations working in this sphere, various projects on multiculturalism, and bibliography on the subject.

Within the project, Interethnic Relations in Bulgaria and Romania. Basic Facts Handbook was published in Bulgarian, Romanian and English in 1999. It examines the problem of multicultural education.

A brochure with the same title in these languages was also published within the project. It summarizes the main elements of the socio-political life exerting influence on the development of interethnic relations in both countries.