The European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)

The European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) conducts practice-oriented research, provides information and documentation, and offers advisory services concerning minority-majority relations in Europe. It serves European governments and regional intergovernmental organizations as well as non-dominant groups in the European area. A Board of nine members governs ECMI: three from Denmark, three from Germany, and one representative each from the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the European Union. The working language of ECMI is English.

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sector

Where ?

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With whom ?

The first global assessment of the needs of Macedonia’s Romani population+
The first global assessment of the needs of Macedonia’s Romani population

Sector?

Minority issues; Roma;

What?

Capacity Building; Fundraising; Project development; Dialogue Management

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

Roma remain the most marginalized group in many parts of Europe. Numerous programs have been implemented in the name of the Roma, however sustainability of these has been poor or non-existent. One of the main reasons of this failure has been the lack of consultations with the Roma in identifying their needs and understanding what interventions would be compatible with their aspirations and life style.

When?

2003

What exactly?

In his capacity as the Regional Representative for the European Centre for Minority Issues, Sunoor led the consultation with donors on the importance of launching this mapping. Sunoor also led the project design process and the building of necessary partnerships with Roma leaders. Fundraising and supervision of the project implementation was Sunoor’s responsibility too.

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues ECMI

Sida Sweden

What happened?

The first global assessment of the needs of Macedonia’s Romani population was conducted. The project was implemented and led by Dr. Eben Friedman.

“ Sunoor Verma played the leading role in establishing ECMI as an organization, which conducts informed and relevant initiatives to further the integration of Romani populations in Europe. ”

Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues

Building and managing a 70 NGOs coalition in Macedonia+
Building and managing a 70 NGOs coalition in Macedonia

Sector?

Inter-ethnic issues; Civil Society; Peace building

What?

Dialogue management; Fundraising; NGO management; Track II diplomacy; Conflict resolution

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

The armed conflict of 2001 in Macedonia left a society divided along ethnic lines. The fragile Ohrid peace agreement required quick measures for building confidence in the communities.

When?

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

What exactly?

In the midst of the conflict I set out to establish an inter-ethnic network of NGOs along with the European Centre for Minority Issues.

I travelled around the country meeting with communities, citizens and villagers to find those NGOs that were truly committed to improving inter-ethnic relations in the country. The ECMI NGO Network for Improvement of Inter-ethnic Relations in Macedonia was launched with a core group of 17 NGOs from across the country and ethnic groups. Gradually the network grew to a 70 member strong group that engaged in joint design and implementation of grassroots projects. Sunoor headed an umbrella grants program, administering and monitoring 50—70 community projects each year. The project carried a strong capacity enhancement component with emphasis on ethics for the participating NGO Managers.

This project benefitted very much from the guidance and commitment of Farimah Daftary of the ECMI. When no international expert was willing to travel to Macedonia due to the armed conflict, Farimah headed to Macedonia to meet with stakeholders and do a direct assessment of the ground realities. Her research and reporting were instrumental in the project receiving its seed grant. Dr. Eben Friedman succeeded Farimah Daftary at the ECMI as the focal point for Macedonia and maintained the high standards set by Farimah.

Farimah and Eben have contributed to civil society development in Macedonia in the most low profiles yet most effective way. Both heroes!

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues

Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretariat for Peace and Stability)

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Sida Sweden

DfID

What happened?

  1. Established the first truly multi-ethnic network of NGOs in Macedonia consisting of 70 NGOs committed to improving inter-ethnic relations.
  2. 50—70 community projects generated and implemented each year jointly by NGOs members of the Network.
  3. Network becomes reference point for good practices and NGO ethics in Macedonia.

External Evaluation of “ECMI NGO Network for the Improvement of Interethnic Relations in the Republic of Macedonia” 15-19 April 2003

“ In the words of Regional Representative Dr. Sunoor Verma, the Regional Office in Skopje aims to be a model office in terms of professional standards, transparency and accountability. The evaluator gained the impression that the office very much lives up to this goal. The Regional Representative, Dr. Verma is obviously a perfect choice: he is not only very committed to the success of the Network, but also very competent. His critical view of the donor-driven character of much of the NGO activities in Macedonia, especially in the realm of improvement of inter-ethnic relations, helps to make the ECMI Network genuinely innovative in that context. He maintains close contacts with relevant donor and other institutions, and is respected by the member organisations of the Network. ”

DR. ULF BRUNNBAUER
Department of Southeast European History, University of Graz
Graz, Austria

The integrated analysis of the needs of the Romani population in Serbia and Montenegro+
The integrated analysis of the needs of the Romani population in Serbia and Montenegro

Sector?

Minority issues; Roma;

What?

Capacity building; Fundraising; Project development; Dialogue management

Where?

Serbia, Montenegro

Why?

While there was widespread recognition among donors that a variety of initiatives should be launched to support the development of the Roma in Europe, no studies were available to tell us what the ground reality was.

When?

2003

What exactly?

Dr. Eben Friedman performed an integrated analysis of the needs of the Romani population in Serbia and Montenegro. Sunoor Verma led the fundraising and negotiations with donors and provided management support to the project through his teams based in Macedonia.

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues

Sida Sweden

What happened?

A strategy for Swedish International Cooperation Agency ( Sida’s) work with Roms in Serbia and Montenegro was developed. This strategy was in turned used by Sida for their programming and funding decisions.

“ Being genuinely engaged and knowledgeable in the area of work makes Sunoor Verma a successful fundraiser. ”

Ulrika Lindberg-Labasauskas
Head of Development Cooperation
Embassy of Sweden in Skopje

Romani expert groups for Romani integration in the Republic of Macedonia+
Romani expert groups for Romani integration in the Republic of Macedonia

Sector?

Minority issues; Roma;

What?

Capacity Building; Fundraising; Project development; Dialogue Management

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

Until the launch of this initiative most initiatives aimed at the Romani population of Macedonia were being implemented by non-Roms. This often led to poor participation of the Roms and virtually no transfer of skills or know-how. Through my work with Roms in Macedonia and many Roma NGOs I could see that there is availability of talent and experience in the Roma community. The lack of formal education was a barrier to the advancement of these potential experts. The Romani experts project was launched to prepare a pool of Roma experts who have the skills, knowledge and commitment to work on Roma issues.

When?

2003, 2004

What exactly?

I think I played a key role in conceptualizing this initiative, developing the project proposal and getting donors on board. Dr. Eben Friedman, a leading authority on Roma issues, led this project. I was also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the project and fundraising.

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues ECMI

Sida Sweden

What happened?

Four Expert Group organized around the core areas of education, health, civil rights, and employment were established.
The Expert Groups generated and compiled usable reports with the data necessary to provide a basis for the design of policy not only for Roms, but also by Roms.

The success of this initiative lies in three things that came together at the right time:

  1. Understanding through extensive fieldwork: for projects aimed at the Roma community to succeed, they need to be implemented by people who are part of the Roma community.
  2. Representatives of Sida Sweden who were committed to undertaking initiatives that other donor designate ‘risky’ if they saw long term value in them. Annika Palo and Peeter Kamaan of Sida Sweden were unique in their untiring quest for sustainable solutions for the people of Macedonia.
  3. Dr. Eben Friedman who led the project is not one of those first world experts for whom the Roma community is an exotic experiment from a distance. Eben has dear friends in the community with whom he has lived and has understood the challenges that they face. Eben’s commitment and dedication to the Roma cause ensured that the capacity of Roma experts in built to a level where they can take charge.

I salute the work done in Macedonia by Eben Friedman, Annika Palo and Peeter Kamaan.

I first met Dr. Verma in Skopje, Macedonia where he made an outstanding effort to bring together that country’s various ethnic groups by emphasizing common concerns, i.e., clean water, garbage collection and good education. Dr. Verma’s success in Macedonia is attributable not only to his practical approach to problems, but also to the fact that he concentrated on getting to know key individuals personally and he made an extraordinary effort to engage them in resolving the country’s ethnic tensions.

Dr. Gary F. Collins
Senior Adviser (Judicial Reform)
DANIDA, Bangladesh

Creating an online platform for fundraising and donor liaison+
Creating an online platform for fundraising and donor liaison

Sector?

Civil society; Minority issues; inter-ethnic issues

What?

Fundraising

Where?

Germany

Why?

As the organization was growing rapidly and expanding in new countries coordination was needed in the way donors were being approached.

When?

2003

What exactly?

I conceptualized software that allowed all field offices and headquarters to coordinate their fundraising and project proposal writing processes. As it was my baby I also supervised the development of and later the implementation of the software and compliance by field offices

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues

What happened?

Headquarters gained improved access to negotiations led by field offices and field offices gained access to real time information on ongoing dialogues with donors and partners. This saved time and allowed the organization to achieve Framework Funding from donors over piece-meal project-by-project funding. This also improved accountability within all units of the organization.

Sunoor Verma understands the concerns and goals of donors – what is important from their perspective – and he is able to articulate persuasively the positive and sustainable impact that programs can achieve.

Michael Szporluk

Expert, Civil Society Development

Mercy Corps

Being genuinely engaged and knowledgeable in the area of work makes Sunoor Verma a successful fundraiser.

Ulrika Lindberg-Labasauskas
Head of Development Cooperation
Embassy of Sweden in Skopje

International conference on minorities+
International conference on minorities

Sector

Minority issues

What?

Dialogue management; Peace-building; Strategic partnerships; Fundraising

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

The Ohrid peace agreement signed in 2001 marked the end of the armed conflict in Macedonia. As part of confidence building measures it was important to highlight the position of minorities in democracies. South Eastern Europe had much experience to share and learn from each other.

When?

2002, 2003, 2004

What exactly?

I negotiated a strategic partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Germany to advance this conference jointly. Andreas Klein who was the Director of this foundation and was posted in Macedonia was that rare breed of expatriates who knew what was happening and what was hurting in the country. Equally comfortable with the grassroots as with the political elite, Andreas ensured that there is a strong buy-in from the office of the President of Macedonia for this initiative. Marc Weller, the Director of the ECMI was quick to see value in the initiative and as a global authority on this subject galvanized a star studded line up of international experts for the conference. Florian Bieber, Eben Friedman and Tom Trier all with affiliations to ECMI and a deep commitment to the region provided cutting edge content and moderation. The South East European university had collaborated in the past with the ECMI and was an excellent partner for this initiative. Among other things I was also responsible for raising funds for hosting this conference. The ECMI team in Macedonia led by the Office Manager Gordana Cvetkoska managed the invisible backend of this huge logistic challenge as always without any show of fatigue or stress.

With- whom?

Office of the President of the Republic of Macedonia

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Germany

European Centre for Minority Issues

South East European University, Macedonia

What happened?

An annual dialogue forum “Minorities in democracies” has been established which brings international and regional south-east European experts to debate on the position of minorities in democracies. The first two editions saw the late President of the Republic of Macedonia HE Boris Traijkovski deliver the opening speeches before his untimely death in an airplane crash.

“ Sunoor’s insatiable desire for critical and meaningful dialogue has profoundly influenced the format and content of the Geneva Health Forum, pushing us to consider new rules of engagements, and new ways to frame and debate global health topics. ”

Dr Slim Slama
Co-Founder
Geneva Health Forum