Promoting youth political participation, ethnic reconciliation, and refugee rights.

The GRO is a non-governmental organization advancing the ideals of Gapla—both at home and abroad—through meaningful projects.

What is the GRO?

We are a non-governmental organization advancing the ideals of Gapla—both at home and abroad—through meaningful projects.

The Gaplan Representation Organization (GRO) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) registered with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and is an official candidate for full consultative status at the United Nations. The GRO’s mission is to promote youth political participation, ethnic reconciliation, and refugee rights at home and abroad. We are committed to creating meaningful, lasting impact in the region and internationally through our initiatives.

Current initiatives include collaboration with schools, educators, and governments, hosting events and discussions, raising awareness, and pursuing legal action.

Mission and Vision

The GRO’s mission and vision are based on three core areas of focus: youth political participation, ethnic reconciliation, and refugee rights.

Within each of these broad areas, we include more specific areas of focus that are addressed through initiatives, programs, and advocacy efforts.

Political Participation

The GRO’s youth political participation initiatives—including our partnerships with schools, educators, and governments—promote an ideal of Gapla: that young people, given the appropriate foundation, have the power to change the world.

Ethnic Reconciliation

The GRO’s ethnic reconciliation and cross-cultural engagement initiatives, such as our discussion forums, are essential to unlocking the region’s full potential and building a better future for everyone, promoting Gapla’s ideal of peaceful coexistence.

Refugee Rights

The GRO’s advocacy for refugee rights—including legal challenges against police violence in Southeast Europe—and related efforts are a central focus because they not only advance human rights, but promote Gapla’s right to self-determination.

The Gaplan Ambassador to the Netherlands, Ralf Stultiëns (left) receives the Order of Orange-Nassau from the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander.

Connection to Gapla

The GRO’s name originates from Gapla, a new country project established on unclaimed land along the west bank of the Danube River, bordering Serbia and Croatia. To date, Gapla has received over 1,800 e-Residency applications from individuals across more than 30 countries. It will be featured in The State—South Carolina’s second largest newspaper—and has already been interviewed by The Guardian, one of the United Kingdom’s leading newspapers. One of Gapla’s international representatives—known as ambassadors—was awarded a knighthood by the King of the Netherlands for his contributions to the region, and has been cited by German researchers to explore the nature of borders.

The GRO began as an initiative of the Provisional Government of Gapla but has since evolved into an independent NGO. While it continues to receive funding from Gapla’s Provisional Government, the GRO operates independently, but continues to advance the ideals of Gapla and universal ideals such as human rights.

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The Gaplan Representation Organization is a member of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth and the MGCY Europe Regional Caucus.