The authorities of Vojvodina have announced a record allocation of 80 million dinars to finance the activities of the 17 national minority councils operating in the province. The funds, provided from the budget of the Provincial Secretariat for Education, Regulations, Administration and National Minorities – National Communities, are intended to support the cultural, educational, and informational activities of these representative bodies.
The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in Novi Sad, where the presidents of the national councils signed the funding agreements. On behalf of the Provincial Secretariat, the agreements were signed by Deputy Secretary Tatjana Vujović.
“The province’s financial support has been increasing year after year, proving our strong commitment to preserving the national identity of minority communities. These funds directly contribute to strengthening multiethnicity, multilingualism, and multiculturalism in Vojvodina — the core values of our region,” said Tatjana Vujović.
The funds will be used to support key institutions and programs of the national councils, especially in the areas of mother-tongue education, public information, the official use of language and script, and culture. In this way, continuity is ensured for essential activities aimed at preserving and developing the national identity of minorities.
The national minority councils are self-governing bodies which, according to the law, play an important role in shaping public policies and representing the interests of the communities they stand for. Among the 17 councils benefiting from this support are those of the Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ruthenian, Croatian, and other traditionally present communities in Vojvodina.
The National Council of the Romanian National Minority was represented by its president, Dr. Valentin Ardelean, who participated in the signing of the funding agreement, reaffirming the Romanian community’s commitment to preserving and developing its national identity within the institutional framework provided by the Autonomous Province.
This financial allocation once again emphasizes the importance of protecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of Vojvodina, a region renowned for the peaceful coexistence of numerous nationalities and for promoting intercultural dialogue.