From March 17th to March 20th, an important training event took place in Budapest, Hungary, for all recipients of the MARIO grants in 2024. Minority Rights Group International and PILnet organized these trainings. Thirty organizations from Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Lithuania, which focus on safeguarding minority rights throughout Europe, participated in the event. Each organization, representing various minority communities, sent one representative to Budapest. Despite coming from different locations, all of these organizations, share a common goal of protecting minority rights in Europe.

Two key members from the non-governmental organization "Education and Heritage," which is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of education within minority communities, attended the training. These representatives not only presented the organization's objectives but also actively participated in discussions and activities aimed at enhancing civil society's capacity to defend minority rights.

During the training, a collaborative atmosphere was created with engaging interactive activities. Pro bono lawyers conducted sessions, providing important legal perspectives and advice. Topics such as EU mechanisms, EU values, and opportunities related to democracy and the rule of law were discussed. In addition, participants had the opportunity to interact with their peers and the MARIO team, facilitating exchanges of experiences and ideas. Such interaction was crucial in developing a strong and sustainable network of collaboration.

This spirit of collaboration and shared experience during the training helped establish a long-lasting relationship that continues to this day. We believe that this partnership will support ongoing cooperation, innovation, and mutual support in strengthening minority rights in Europe.