On this page

1. Policy/legal framework

2. Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

3. Youth work providers in the field of social inclusion for young people

4. Training and support for youth workers engaged in social inclusion programmes

5. Financial support

6. Quality assurance

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Policy/legal framework

There is no separate legal document dealing solely with youth work in order to encourage social inclusion.

However, the goal of the National Youth Programme for the period 2014-2017 was to improve the activities of state administration bodies and public institutions, which, by their sphere of competence and competencies, contribute to meeting the needs of young people and raising the quality of their lives for the purpose of their optimal social integration. As one of the ways of combating unemployment and social exclusion of young people, it is certainly youth work.

In the National Youth Programme for the period 2014-2017, Goal 1.2. Create Institutional Prerequisites for Improving Youth Work, includes Measure 1.2.1. Enhancing youth work through co-operation between civil society organizations and decision-makers. This measure envisages financing for non-formal education programs with the aim of strengthening the capacity of youth organizations and organizations for youth to promote the well-being of young people, strengthening the capacity of state administration personnel by participating in non-formal education programs on youth work and developing an analysis of the possibilities for professionalization of youth work.

The Central State Office for Demography and Youth published in 2021 a call for proposals for youth-oriented projects and programmes for financial support available from state budget and from a portion of the state lottery funds.

The former Ministry provided financial support for projects and programmes in five priority areas, one of which is ‘Raising of skills and knowledge, employability and labour market competitiveness, and fostering youth social inclusion. Eligible activities were oriented toward fostering social inclusion of young people with NEET status, development of social skills and competences that contribute to the competitiveness in the labour market and to the young people’s social inclusion, and activities oriented toward violence prevention among young people.

Within this priority area, the former Ministry awarded six projects total amount of 437,000.00 HRK in category ‘Youth work with young people in NEET status’ and six projects total amount of 480,000.00 HRK in category ‘Social inclusion of young people in social care system’.Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

Concerning calls for proposals for youth-oriented projects and programmes for financial support  available from a portion of the games of chance revenues and State Budget, in 2017, a call for three-year program financing for specific priorities was implemented.

The annual amount for calls differs depending on current financial obligations under previously agreed programs and defined priorities. In 2015, for example, the total amount for calls for all priorities amounted HRK 7,392,000.00. For the priority area “Youth Work with Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)", in accordance with the submitted and evaluated programs, the agreed funds amounted to HRK 795,000.00 (annually) for 7 programs. This is a three-year program financed from the state budget, and contracted each year in the same amount.

These programs are about implementation of different activities. The programs are implemented at the local level, reaching the users differently - in cooperation with schools, social welfare centres, PES regional offices, etc. All activities have in common encouraging inclusion in the education system, system of training or employment. Part of the activities are aimed at empowering, educating and motivating young people at risk of social exclusion for active inclusion in the labour market (counselling, job search support, labour market research, support for tendering, submission of open applications, preparation for interviews with employers, education focused on communication and presentation skills, etc.). Some programs also include activities that are more "preventive" in terms of working with young people at risk of leaving school, etc.

Youth work providers in the field of social inclusion for young people

Youth work has a long tradition through the work of numerous youth organizations and organizations for youth, which are the main providers of youth work in the field of social inclusion.

Training and support for youth workers engaged in social inclusion programmes

No government-provided special training or support for youth workers is available in Croatia on, or related to, social inclusion.

Financial support

Please see section 4.4. for more information.

Quality assurance

Applicants whose projects are approved are obliged to submit a narrative and financial report to the Central State Office for Demography and Youth, in accordance with the provisions of the financial support agreement.