ADI’s Vision :



The Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI) is determined to become one of the leaders in the development of democracy, peace and stability in Southeast Europe. ADI envisions a future where each and every individual or group is able and free to participate in all spheres of society, based on the principles of internationally recognized human rights standards and values.



ADI’s Mission:



The Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI) is a NGO that aims to integrate human rights into the political, economic and social development of Southeast European societies. ADI aims to protect and promote international human rights standards and values, build and strengthen civil society, and support citizens, refugees, migrants, IDPs, youth, media, government, the private sector and other NGOs through advocacy, participation and educational activities.



History of ADI:



The Association for Democratic Initiatives came into being during a turbulent period of civil war and ethnic cleansing in Southeast Europe. Despite avoiding much of the bloodshed experienced in the other succeeding states of the former Yugoslavia, Macedonia did experience rising ethnic tensions between the various ethnic groups in the country. In order to ensure intercultural understanding, respect and cooperation among the ethnic communities a functioning civil society needed to be built that would help make the transition to democracy and avoid the social, economic and political disintegration experienced elsewhere in the region.



ADI had humble begins and its initial projects focused on civic initiatives that promoted voter education for the 1994 national elections and 1996 local elections. Activities prior to elections focussed on publishing and disseminating written materials, organizing public debates, conducting opinion polls, explaining changes in the new local election law and described voter rights and responsibilities, and encouraged voter turnout and civic participation. During the elections, ADI was deeply involved in monitoring the national and local elections in 1994, 1996 and 1998. The work included recruitment and training of more than 500 volunteers to monitor the elections. To facilitate this, several workshops and training seminars were organized. The development of a network of local volunteers and organizations was established to increase coverage of voting places and ADI organized a system to monitor the media during the campaign and election periods.



The promotion of inter-ethnic cooperation and intercultural learning has also been a consistent feature of ADI’s work in Macedonia. ADI has initiated several projects to promote the similarities between various ethnic groups in order to combat the perceived differences that divide the communities. ADI created and published a high-quality tri-lingual booklet that illustrates through pictures and text the common cultural traditions and history shared by Albanians, Macedonians and Turks residing in Macedonia. The publication has become a valuable teaching tool in the ethnically segregated public schools.



In order to further strengthen civil society ADI also invites volunteer organizations to use the technical equipment and facilities free of charge. ADI offers professional advice to individuals or groups of citizens who are interested in civic initiatives. ADI volunteers include accountants, doctors, economists, lawyers, teachers who donate their professional services.



More recently, ADI has undertaken major projects that promote human rights and build civil society in Macedonia following the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which provided peace to Macedonia following ethnic conflict in 2001. ADI was responsible for monitoring the implementation of this agreement and ensure its provisions were adopted and respected. Furthermore, ADI is currently a partner with Minority Rights Group International implementing activities as a part of the “Diversity and Democracy Program in Southeast Europe”.