This was the first in a series of seminars at which representatives of minorities' organisations will be acquainted with how to draw up projects and financial plans in line with strict EU rules.
A total of 1,286 programmes have been submitted for this year and the National Council has to choose those that meet the criteria, said Council chair Aleksandar Tolnauer.
He said the fact that this year's budget for minority organisations was cut only six per cent meant that they had performed well. He said such financing of minorities' cultural autonomy was the result of the government's political will and understanding.
"The treatment of national minorities is among the most positive things we are bringing to the European Union," he said, adding that "the constitutional law on national minorities' rights has the highest standards and is one of the best in the European Union and it can be an example to many other countries."
Tolnauer said the treatment of minorities played a significant role in Croatia's EU accession negotiations, as 11 EU countries have their national minorities in Croatia.
He said only programmes which could be fully realised would be financed as of now and that each minority organisation must have at least 20 members declaring themselves as members of a national minority.
Upon Croatia's accession to the EU, the work of minority institutions will continue to be financed from the national budget for some more time, alongside EU funds.
Croatia has 22 national minorities and some still have no institutions, said Tolnauer.
Today's seminar was attended by more than 100 representatives of some 50 organisations and institutions of the Czech and Slovak minorities.
They have submitted close to 300 projects, said Blek, adding that last year those organisations received the same funds as in 2011, indicating that their projects were good.