The “Civil vs. Civil” initiative is dedicated to investigating the role of Hungarian civil society in Romania in both bolstering the Hungarian community within the country and contributing to the broader democratization efforts in Romanian society.
In its initial phase, the program focuses on scrutinizing the activities of various civil organizations, projects, movements, action groups, and community development endeavors. The aim is to assess whether these initiatives, whether independently executed or supported by external funding, positively or negatively impact the democratization processes within the Hungarian community in Romania, as well as influencing the democratization of the Hungarian political elites. Our analysis acknowledges the significant challenges faced by Hungarian civil society in Romania, including limited resources and a notable dependency on both Hungarian state support and funding managed by the Communitas Foundation, under the auspices of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR). Additionally, we recognize that access to European Union projects tends to favor established civil organizations with stable financial and infrastructural foundations.
Within the scope of our program, we will delve into how independent grassroots community projects address minority rights protection, advocate for minority rights, safeguard women’s and children’s rights, and promote sustainable development. We’ll examine the interconnectedness between various civil organizations focused on rights protection and sustainable development and their engagement with the Hungarian political elite in Romania. Additionally, we’ll assess their advocacy influence within Romanian public policy institutions and explore the international advocacy projects they undertake.
These analyses are crucial as the Hungarian community in Romania represents one of Europe’s largest minority communities, and its future depends significantly on its local, national, and international advocacy capabilities. Currently, the Hungarian community occupies a relatively obscure position within Europe’s mosaic of minority groups, confronting a troubling trend of marginalization. Our goal is to delve into the root causes of this phenomenon and chart pathways for transformative change, guided by principles of human rights and sustainable development.
In later phases of our programme, we will scrutinize the influence of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR) and the Hungarian government on civil society operations. We will specifically investigate how the support policies of the Hungarian state and its current government, alongside the involvement of the Hungarian political elite in Romania, influence the operations of Hungarian civil society in Romania. Our analysis will assess whether these dynamics contribute to the strengthening or weakening of democracy within the Hungarian community in Romania and more broadly. Furthermore, we will analyze the effectiveness of community-driven responses to challenges encountered by Hungarian civil society in Romania.