Structure
The Mercator Network consists of five research and documentation centres. Each of the centres has its own thematic programme and specialist role related to minority and regional languages within the European Union:
Despite the fact that the five centres are located in different countries, the working relations between them are well established. Not only are the centres linked electronically, their staff-members also meet on a regular basis for coordination meetings, which is crucial for the joint projects and activities.
The Mercator Network of Language Diversity Centres is an EU funded project connecting multilingual communities across Europe, promoting knowledge sharing and facilitating structured exchange of best practice and cutting edge initiatives through its programme of activities. Focus lies on multilingual regions dealing with regional or minority languages, but also immigrant languages and smaller state languages, with emphasis on language needs arising from migration and globalisation.
Moreover, the Mercator Network also works closely with the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) and the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL), organizations of the European linguistic minorities, for whom the Mercator Network provides in-depth specialist back-up.
Mercator Network website
- Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning/ Fryske Akademy in Ljouwert/ Leeuwarden (Fryslân, the Netherlands) (lead partner)
- Mercator Legislation/ Ciemen in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain)
- Mercator Media/ Aberystwyth University (Wales, United Kingdom)
- Research Institute for Linguistics/ Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest (Hungary)
- Centre for Finnish Studies/ Mälardalen University in Eskilstuna (Sweden)
Despite the fact that the five centres are located in different countries, the working relations between them are well established. Not only are the centres linked electronically, their staff-members also meet on a regular basis for coordination meetings, which is crucial for the joint projects and activities.
The Mercator Network of Language Diversity Centres is an EU funded project connecting multilingual communities across Europe, promoting knowledge sharing and facilitating structured exchange of best practice and cutting edge initiatives through its programme of activities. Focus lies on multilingual regions dealing with regional or minority languages, but also immigrant languages and smaller state languages, with emphasis on language needs arising from migration and globalisation.
Moreover, the Mercator Network also works closely with the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) and the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL), organizations of the European linguistic minorities, for whom the Mercator Network provides in-depth specialist back-up.
Mercator Network website
Funding
The Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning is funded by the the Province of Fryslân (Friesland) and the Municipality of Leeuwarden.