Projects in 2006

Individual projects

> 1. “Center for increasing public awareness on human rights, direct assistance and democratization”

Implementation of the project commenced at the end of October 2005 and will last till the end of April 2006. Implementation of the project is financially supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in the Republic of Croatia.

The project is a part of the permanent program of the Center and is being implemented in continuity throughout annual projects since 1996. The program has been changing its name and has been adjusting each year with new needs and achieved changes, and with increasing and/or reducing of certain activities. Program activities are directed towards providing free legal advices and informative support, democracy development and building of democratic society, respect of the rule of law, promotion and protection of human rights, sustainable development and elimination of negative consequences of the war in the area of Vukovar and wider region, while the basic beneficiaries are different vulnerable categories of population in need such as displaced persons and exiles, refugees, returnees, unemployed, senior citizens and others.

The assessment is that the programs / projects incorporated approximately 35.000 direct beneficiaries by the end of 2004, which speaks on behalf of the existence of recognizability of the project within potential beneficiaries. Results of the program’s implementation have enabled higher recognizability of the Center on the local, national and international level. Implementation of the program has enabled access to the rights and acquiring of rights to a large number of beneficiaries and their informing on the relevant procedures in acquiring of rights in accordance with the national and international standards; communication and cooperation with the units of the local self-government, ministries and other state bodies, domestic and international nongovernmental organizations; international organizations; media and other; influence on the changes of some laws and sub-legal acts; decrease of the level of discrimination and violations of human rights; achieving influence on the sustainable return and acquiring of rights of refugees, displaced persons and exiles; influence on the strengthening of the democratic awareness and participation of citizens in public life, and other.   

Majority of other Center’s activities and short-term projects derive from the program’s implementation. For example, in such way commenced the realization of partnership project (foreign partner, local organization and units of the local self-government) in 2002, called ''Program for Economic and Democracy Development through inter-sector cooperation in Eastern Slavonija”; in 2004 was realized the project in cooperation with the Outreach office of International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) from Zagreb called '' Seminar for journalists on reporting on court procedures for war crimes conducted before ICTY and national courts''; in the period from 1997 – 2004 was implemented a field project in cooperation with the units of the local self-government called '' Traveling Lawyers ''; in 2005 was realized a project of the regional round table “Protection of private property and acquired rights of refugees and displaced persons according to the provisions of the Annex G of the Agreement on Succession Issues‘’, and similar.

> 2. ‘’ Production of a briefing paper / analysis on the Annex G of the Agreement on Succession Issues and it’s (possible) impact on protection of private property and acquired rights of refugees and IDPs ''

The project is implemented in the period from February – April 2006 and links to the project of organization of the regional round table with the topic “Protection of private property and acquired rights of refugees and displaced persons according to the provisions of the Annex G of the Agreement on Succession Issues’’, which was initiated and organized by the Center on April 21 – 22, 2005 in Vukovar. Implementation of the project is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in the Republic of Croatia.

Objectives of the publication are:

1. to contribute continuation of activities on raising public awareness ( awareness of relevant national and international stakeholders in particular ) on the Annex G provisions;
2. to contribute initiating wider and more constructive discussion on the practical implementation of the Annex G provisions amongst relevant stakeholders on the national and regional level;
3. to contribute closing the refugee file in Croatia and the region initiated by signing the January 2005 Sarajevo Declaration on closing the refugee file in the region by the end of 2006.

> 3. ‘’ Towards Effective Access to Rights in Administrative Procedures ‘’

Implementation of the project commenced on April 1, 2006 and will last for the period of eight months, till November 31, 2006. The implementation of the project is financially supported by the OSCE Mission in the Republic of Croatia.

Specific objectives of the project are to contribute more effective access to rights and ruling of citizens claims in reconstruction, pension and housing care cases submitted to the respective administration bodies within legal deadlines prescribed by the Law on General Administrative Procedure; and to raise awareness on the rules and procedures in the work of public administration bodies in Croatia.

The main project activities are: providing information / raising public awareness on rights and duties of citizens and the public administration bodies within administrative procedures; providing oral and written legal advices and other forms of assistance for the citizens; monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the work of targeted public administration bodies with the emphasis on respect for the Law on General Administrative Procedure provisions.

Project target group are internally displaced persons, refugees, returnees and domicile population in need for a solution in cases related to the reconstruction of damaged and destroyed housing units; provision of housing assistance; and pension claims procedures

Partnership projects

> 1. ‘’Southeast Europe: Diversity and Democracy Partnership Program – Promoting the Rights of Minorities and Enhancing Intercommunity Understanding’’

Program of differences and democracy in Southeast Europe is a regional partnership project led by international nongovernmental organization Minority Rights Group International (MRGI), London, Great Britain. The Center has been actively cooperating with MRGI since the end of 2001. The Center is a local partner from Croatia and is actively participating in the planning and implementation of activities of the program on the national and regional level. Representative of the Center is a member of the Advisory Group for the implementation of the program. The second phase of this project, which commenced at the end of 2002 and will last till mid 2006 is currently being implemented. The goal of the program is to protect and promote rights of national/ethnic minority members in Southeast Europe through contribution towards implementation of international standards and national laws, and improve interethnic understanding. Basic activities within the framework of the program are education and strengthening of the capacities of partner’s and other nongovernmental and minority organizations in the region; creation and translation of the reports, studies and publications intended to raise public awareness on the standards of protection of minority rights and position of the minority communities and advocating rights of minorities on all levels; active participation on relevant international forums and other.

Examples of activities Center has realized within the framework of the program:

1. Creation and publishing of the publication “Short guide through the minority rights”, in 2003;
2. Participation in the creation, translation and publishing of the Croatian version, distribution and public presentation of the MRGI report “Minorities in Croatia”, in 2004;
3. Creation and distribution of the Alternative report o the implementation of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities in Croatia for the period from 1999 - 2004, in 2004;
4. Conducting research and creation of micro-study on housing and employment issues as preconditions for sustainability of minority refugee returns to urban centers in Croatia, in 2005 and translation and publishing of the Croatian version, presentation and distribution of the study in 2006.

> 2. Program: “Promotion of European values against racism and xenophobia on the local and  regional level”

Three-year program of “Promotion of European values against racism and xenophobia on the local and regional level” is implemented by the Coalition for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Republic of Croatia. The Center participates in the realization of the project as a Coalition’s member organization. The program is being implemented in the period 2005 – 2007 and is being financially supported by the National Foundation for the Development of the Civil Society. For more information regarding the program, please see www.lsc.hr

> 3. Program: ‘’Minority Rights in Practice in Southeast Europe - National strategy for Croatia”

The program is realized as an activity of the Coalition for the promotion and protection of human rights. The implementation of the program commenced at the beginning of 2005 and will last till the end of 2006. The program is implemented within the framework of the joint initiative of the Belgium Foundation King Baudouin in partnership with Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and Soros foundations. King Baudouin Foundation financially supports the implementation of the national component of the program and the national strategy for Croatia.

On behalf of the Coalition, during 2005, the program was implemented and coordinated by the Center for Peace, Legal Advices and Psychosocial Assistance from Vukovar and the Center for Direct Protection of Human Rights from Zagreb. In 2006, the implementation of the program is coordinated by the Center for Peace from Vukovar.

The basic goal of this regional program is to support strategies directed towards facilitating more intensive participation of the members of ethnic minorities in all fields of public life in the countries of Southeast Europe, having in mind perspectives of the future European integrations. The program is implemented parallelly on national, regional and European levels.

Basic goals of the national strategy for Croatia are: to provide support to the civil society in its attempt to ensure effective implementation of the legal standards and mechanisms for acquiring and protection of the rights of the members of national minorities; strengthen nongovernmental organizations and national minority’s organizations and other interested minority groups and individuals in order to represent interests of their communities in the development of public policies on the local and national level; support and raise awareness of the local and national authorities and other public institutions regarding the need of participation and representation of the members of national minorities in the public life; provide opportunities for the exchange of information, opinions and experiences on all State levels in order to review relevant subjects and promote positive practice of acquiring of rights of the members of national minorities.

Activities foreseen by the national strategy include organization and conducting of seminars, public discussions, informing, monitoring of the situation and advocating for minority rights and cooperation with all relevant subjects of the society.

Key activities realized in 2005 were:
Seminar on the possibilities of advocating the implementation of international and domestic standards of the protection of minority rights in Croatia held in June 2005. Participants of the seminar were representatives of 10 minority communities, 5 nongovernmental organizations for the protection of human rights, representative of the Ministry of Justice and the Council for National Minorities. Lecturers on the seminar were Mrs. Mirjana Radaković and Mr. Ljubomir Mikić (members of the project team), Mr. Antii Korkeakivi (Council of Europe – Secretariat of the Framework convention for the protection of national minorities), Mrs. Sandra Horina (OSCE Mission in the Republic of Croatia), Mrs. Antonija Petričušić (Institute for International relations from Zagreb) and Mr. Siniša Tatalović (Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia),

1. Round table ‘’ Participation of national minorities' members in political life and public affairs in the Republic of Croatia, with the emphasis on ethnic disaggregated data collection issues ‘‘ held on November 17, 2005. The round table was organized in cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Republic of Croatia. 27 participants of the round table were minority members in the Croatian Parliament, representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior, Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Central State Office for Administration, Council of national minorities, OSCE Mission in the Republic of Croatia, nongovernmental organizations, national minority organizations and councils and Croatian representative/expert of the Advisory Committee of the Framework convention for the protection of national minorities of the Council of Europe,

1. Round table ‘’ Implementation of educational rights of persons belonging to national minorities in Eastern Croatia ‘', held on December 19, 2005 in Vukovar. 32 participants of the round table were: representatives of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport; Osijek-Baranja county Administration Department for Social Affairs; Vukovar-Sirmium county Administration Department for Schooling, Culture and Sport; OSCE; non-governmental organizations; national minorities associations and councils; and elementary and secondary school principals.

> 4. ''Regional Legal Assistance Program – Support to Refugee/IDP Return Through Legal Aid’’ – second phase

The program is implemented under the umbrella of the OSCE Mission in Serbia and Montenegro with the participation of OSCE Missions in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and twelve partnership nongovernmental organizations from all three countries. Implementation of the second phase of the program commenced in January 2006 and will last till the end of 2006. Center for Peace - Vukovar participates in the program’s implementation as a partnership organization while the representative of the Center is also a coordinator of the program on behalf of the nongovernmental organizations.

Basic goal of the project is to provide contribution for the permanent solution of the problems of refugees and displaced persons in the region in the accordance to the provisions of the Sarajevo declaration and national strategies of action developed by all three countries. 

Basic activities of the program are providing legal assistance for the persons in need; monitoring the implementation of the return process and local integration; gathering data/of information, analyzing and reporting on the progress and/or obstacles in the implementation of the mentioned processes and providing recommendations for the change of negative practices.

> 5. Program ''Implementation of the Constitutional Law on the Rights of National Minorities – Right to Work''

The Serbian Democratic Forum (SDF) from Zagreb is implementing the program. The aim of the program is to explore the representation of national minorities in the bodies of the State administration, judiciary, public/State companies and institutions as well as in other public services financed from the local budgets. Center for Peace – Vukovar has a role of a coordinator of the research in the area of eastern Slavonija.
 
With this, Center for Peace and SDF complement successful cooperation from the previous period and believe that coordination and joint approach will achieve better results in work and strengthening of their organizations.

Information and results of the project implementation will be available on www.sdf.hr

 Media projects 2003 - 2005

> Project: ‘‘Etnos in Focus’’

Project was realized in the form of media-information program and has been implemented since 2003 under different names. The Center realized the project in cooperation with the local radio stations and funded by the OSCE Mission in Republic of Croatia. The Project is closely linked with the realization of the permanent program “Center for increasing public awareness on human rights, direct assistance and democratization” and other activities of the Center.

In 2003 the project was realized through two sub-projects: “ETNOS”, aimed towards raising awareness on the position of the members of national minorities and minority communities, and ''Informative support to Internally Displaced population in Vukovar-Sirmium and Osijek-Baranja counties'', with the aim to contribute in solving IDPs problems by providing them with relevant informative support. Projects were realized in the period from September – December 2003 in cooperation with four local radio stations from three Counties: Radio Dunav from Vukovar, Radio Borovo from Borovo, Radio Banska kosa from Beli Manastir and Radio Brod from Slavonski Brod. 24 radio programs were produced in total, which were (re)emitted 120 times.

In 2004 the project was realized under the name: ''Return and Integration Media Support Program''. The aim of the project was to sensibilise wider publicity on national minority communities and refugees/IDPs/returnees/settlers problems and issues and to contribute their full integration by providing them with accurate and updated information on issues of their concern through local electronic media (radio-stations). The project was realized in the period June – December 2003 in cooperation with seven local radio stations from five Counties: Radio Dunav from Vukovar, Radio Borovo from Borovo, Radio Banska kosa from Beli Manastir, Radio Brod from Slavonski Brod, Gradski radio Osijek from Osijek, Radio Sisak from Sisak and Hrvatski radio Karlovac from Karlovac. 20 radio programs were produced, which were (re)emitted 160 times.

In 2003 and 2004 potential audience reached 300.000, i.e. 500.000 listeners, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, minority organizations and councils, local and regional self-governments, State level institutions, Parliament representatives, media, citizens and international organizations participated in the radio programs. As the conducted research, evaluation and feedback of the realized projects were very positive, OSCE Mission decided to support the realization of the project also in 2005.

Project in 2005, realized in the period from August – December named “ETNOS IN FOCUS”, included participation of ten radio stations from seven Counties: Radio Dunav from Vukovar, Radio Borovo from Borovo, Radio Banska kosa from Beli Manastir, Radio Brod from Slavonski Brod, Gradski radio Osijek from Osijek, Radio Sisak from Sisak and Hrvatski radio Karlovac from Karlovac, Pitomi radio from Pitomača, Hrvatski radio Nova Gradiška from Nova Gradiška and Otočni radio Kornati from Šibenik.