ABOUT THE FORUM
A "Europe of the regions" was the idea of the European Commission under its former president Jacques Delors: the aim was to promote the regions in the EU member states and support them in their regional autonomy. As part of this process of making the regions real actors in European politics, changes were made in the structural funding arrangements of the European Union. This has created new opportunities for regions to receive funding and participate in the EU policy process.
Within many EU states, the regions have been given more competences since the 1970s. The process of European integration, combined with decentralisation in many Member States, has given the regions tools for a more active role in the European Union. In order to increase their influence in Brussels, many regions have established networks.
In this context, the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) has launched the "Forum of European Minority Regions" - as a place for cooperation and networking. The goals: to increase the political weight of the individual regions and to exert a stronger influence on EU policy through a united appearance. In addition, the forum offers a space for exchange and analysis of the status quo with regard to minority rights and learning from best-practice examples.
Regional and minority languages are spoken by about 40 million people in Europe. It is precisely those regions where linguistic or ethnic autochthonous minorities live that strengthen European ties in a special way. Europe's minority regions form bridges between the Member States and play a decisive role in European integration.
Minorities contribute to the economic and social development of these regions. It is therefore no coincidence that some of these regions are among the wealthiest in Europe - South Tyrol, with the highest GDP per capita in Italy, or the Basque Country and Navarre, the richest regions in Spain, are good examples.
Why does FUEN organise the Forum of European Minority Regions?
"Talking Money – The added value of minority communities in cross-border regions"
The forum aims to provide regional authorities with a platform to highlight their minorities—not only to exchange best practices but also to raise awareness of challenges and instances of discrimination. At the same time, it consistently emphasizes the undeniable economic benefits that minorities bring, benefiting individuals, businesses, local communities, regions, countries, and the entire European Union. Investing in minorities yields significant returns, as the economic contributions they generate through trade and investment far exceed the costs. Experts in the field, including economists speaking at each forum, highlight the added value of minorities and their languages in key areas such as tourism, the labor market, digitalization, and, this year in Vojvodina, cross-border cooperation.
The idea is to convince the majority population both in Serbia and elsewhere that our national minorities, their cultures and languages constitute this indisputable economic added value.
Minorities in cross-border regions often serve as a bridge between countries, enhancing trade and cultural ties between each other. A common language helps to establish contacts, which in turn contributes to investments. It makes commuting for work easier and promotes a common labour market across borders. Minorities in cross-border regions foster cultural exchange between countries, the understanding of the neighbour country and a peaceful co-existence.
Novi Sad/ Újvidék is the perfect location to organize the Forum of the European minority regions in cooperation with the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians. 17 languages are spoken in the city of which four are official of the administration. The region Vojvodina has six official languages and 25 ethnic minorities. They all contribute to economic growth and jobs in the region, also benefitting the whole country Serbia. Novi Sad/ Újvidék was the European capital of culture in 2022. The city hosts many important music and cultural festivals and became UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts in 2023. Four universities, several schools of vocational training and over 50.000 students contribute to a youthful spirit, and it comes as no surprise that Novi Sad/ Újvidék was designated European Youth capital in 2019.
Time:
The venue days in Novi Sad/ Újvidék would be on Friday the 27th of June and Saturday the 28th of June. We provide a shuttle service from Belgrade airport to the hotels in Novi Sad/ Újvidék. The trip on the four lane motorway takes about an hour.
Languages and interpretation:
We provide simultaneous interpretation between four languages; English, German, Hungarian and Serbian. On agreement, participants can also intervene in Croatian, Bosnian or Montenegrin.
Meals and excursion:
We offer all the meals during the conference and an excursion to beautiful Subotica/Szabadka, which is the centre of the Hungarian community in Serbia.
REGISTRATION
DRAFT PROGRAM
Venue: the Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Banovina Palace, Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 16, Vladike Platona, Novi Sad/ Újvidék, Serbia
| till 8:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
| 9:00 - 10:00 | Welcome by the local hosts. |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | The autonomous province of Vojvodina - a model for cultural autonomy. |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | An introduction to the topic "Minorities and cross-border co-operation" |
| 12:00 - 13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 - 16:00 | The economic added value of minority communities in cross-border regions |
| 16:00 - 19:00 | Sightseeing and networking |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Dinner |
| 21:00 | Bus journey back to Novi Sad |
| till 8:00 | Breakfast at the hotel |
| 9:00 - 12:30 | Integration perspectives - the role of minority communities in the EU accession process |
| 12:30 - 13:00 | Results and conclusions |
| 13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch and individual departure of the participants |
