( OSCE) - The OSCE Mission to Skopje launched a small grants programme aimed at supporting the capacity-building of non-governmental organizations active in the area of human rights. Three grant contracts were signed today with local NGOs.
One of the beneficiaries, the NGO Multimedia from Skopje will organize events focusing on debating gender stereotypes in the country, the NGO HOPS will raise awareness and identify human rights violations of the most vulnerable groups.
The third beneficiary, the Association for Human Rights and Protection of Roma (AHRPR) from Shtip. will promote the rights of ethnic Roma in the eastern parts of the country.
"In the year of equal opportunities, the selected projects allow the voice of the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the country to be heard and the wider population to better understand their situation," Said Victor Ullom, of Head of the OSCE Mission's Rule of Law Unit.
"These groups really need additional support in raising awareness of their social status. The grants will help them deal with some of the problems they face on a daily basis."
AHRPR President Shenaj Osmanov added: "The grant will help us raise awareness among ethnic Roma of their rights, and empower youth to participate in civil society."