From Protection to Empowerment through Participation: The Case of Trentino—a Laboratory for Small Groups

This article analyses the legal framework for the protection and promotion of three linguistic groups with a historical presence in the Province of Trentino, Italy, namely: Ladins, Mòcheni and Cimbrians. By assuming the need for a normative approach based on the empowerment and direct participation of minorities in the definition and implementation of promotional policies, the article describes the legal model set out in Provincial Law 6/2008 on the protection and promotion of the rights of local linguistic minorities. It analyses the specific approach to linguistic minorities adopted by the Province of Trentino, highlighting the role of the linguistic groups in both policy making and policy implementation. It focuses on the normative framework, with special attention being paid to participatory and accountability instruments. The analysis addresses the role of linguistic minorities in implementing promotional policies, and the case study demonstrates how it is possible to integrate the right to participate in the decision-making process with a duty to take action conferred directly upon minorities and their institutions, by increasing the level of adequateness, feasibility and sustainability of the legal framework.