FUEN presents Minority Monitor and Women of Minorities to the European Parliament

The leadership of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) addressed the European Parliament’s Intergroup for Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages in Strasbourg. FUEN President Olivia Schubert and Vice-President Dr. Hartmut Leipner presented the organisation's mission and highlighted two flagship projects: the Minority Monitor and the Women of Minorities initiative.

Photos: © European Union 2026 - Source : EP

Introduced by MEP Loránt Vincze, Chair of the Minority Intergroup and former FUEN President, the delegation outlined their efforts as the principal advocate for Europe's autochthonous national minorities, nationalities, and language groups. Representing over 120 member organizations across 38 countries, FUEN continues its 75-year legacy of defending minority identities and pushing for systemic change at the highest levels of international governance.

During the session, the delegation focused on two strategic tools designed to strengthen evidence-based advocacy and intersectional empowerment.

Minority Monitor (MiMo)

Launched in 2019, MiMo is a digital platform that documents real experiences from minority communities across Europe. By mapping both rights violations—such as discrimination and hate speech—and positive practices, the tool transforms fragmented local information into actionable evidence for policymakers. Highlighting its necessity, the platform recently collected over 40 hate speech-related cases from seven European states within just one month.

Women of Minorities

Launched in 2022, this initiative addresses the intersectional discrimination faced by minority women, who often confront combined barriers regarding gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Built on Europe-wide surveys and structured dialogues in Vienna, Athens, and Budapest, the project advocates for structural changes such as leadership pipelines, quotas, and culturally sensitive policy solutions. The core message delivered to the Parliament was clear: Europe must move from symbolic equality to structural change.

The exchange with Members of the European Parliament reinforced the strong, ongoing cooperation between FUEN and the Minority Intergroup. The MEPs highlighted the importance of FUEN in the field of minority rights and expressed their support for its work and projects. They discussed the need to include the financing of projects for minorities in the Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU. The Intergroup will address the Commission with this request.

Photos: Philippe BUISSIN / ©️ European Union 2026 - Source : EP