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

    

Policy/legal framework

No dedicated legal document specifically address youth work for promoting social inclusion.

However, the priority areas of the National Youth Programme 2023-2025 is youth work, but there are no specific measures covering social inclusion. 

The Central State Office for Demography and Youth (CSODY) published a call for proposals for youth-oriented projects and programmes for financial support from the State Budget and a portion of the state lottery funds in 2022. The CSODY provided financial support for projects and programmes in five priority areas, one of which is ‘Employability and Competitiveness of Young People on the Labour Market and Prevention of Entering the NEET Category’. Eligible activities were oriented toward fostering the social inclusion of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET status), developing social skills and competences that contribute to competitiveness in the labour market and to the social inclusion of young people, as well as activities aimed at preventing violence among young people. 

Within this priority area, the CSODY awarded four projects a total amount of €53 089.12 in the category ‘Employability and Competitiveness of Young People on the Labour Market and Prevention of Entering the NEET Category’.

Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

Concerning calls for proposals for youth-oriented projects and programmes for financial support from the State Budget and a portion of the state lottery funds in 2017, a call for three-year programme financing for specific priorities was implemented.

The annual amount for calls differs depending on the current financial obligations under previously agreed programmes and defined priorities. In 2015, for example, the total amount for calls across all priorities amounted to 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 programmes, the agreed funds amounted to HRK 795 000.00 (annually) for seven programmes. This is a three-year programme financed from the State Budget and contracted each year in the same amount.

These programmes involve implementation of various activities. The programmes are implemented at the local level, reaching users through cooperation with schools, social welfare centres, regional offices, etc. All activities share the common goal of 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. This includes counselling, job search support, labour market research, support for tendering, submission of open applications, preparation for interviews with employers, and education focused on communication and presentation skills, among others. Certain programmes also include activities that are more ‘preventive’ in terms of working with young people at risk of leaving school, among other concerns.

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

Youth work has a long tradition through the efforts of numerous youth organisations and organisations for youth, which serve as the primary providers of youth work in the field of social inclusion.

Training and support for youth workers engaged in social inclusion programmes

In Croatia, there is no government-provided special training or support specifically tailored for youth workers in the context of social inclusion.

Financial support

Please refer to section 4.4 for more information.

Quality assurance

Applicants whose projects are approved are obliged to submit a narrative and financial report to the CSODY, in accordance with the provisions of the financial support agreement.