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. 

One of the priorities of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (MSEY) is to provide funds to support and operate youth organisations, further encouraging the work of youth associations and organisations to improve the quality of life of young people. In addition, the public call for national financing of projects targeting young people was published in 2025.

The 2025 Call for Proposals for Youth-Oriented Projects funded 142 projects across five priority areas:

1. Active participation of young people in society
   1.1. Encouraging young people to actively participate in society (13 projects were awarded a total of €393.000.00).

        1.2. Local and regional programs for youth (4 projects were awarded a total of €98. 000.00).

         1.3. Youth and sustainable community development (7 projects were awarded a total of  €187.500.00).

         1.4. Employability and competitiveness of young people on the labor market and prevention of entry into NEET status (7 projects were awarded a total of                        €189.500.00).

2. Youth counselling and information, organisation of leisure activities for youth, and support for community youth initiatives
   2.1. Youth information centres (7 projects were awarded a total of €199.000.00).
   2.2. Organising youth leisure activities through youth clubs (5 projects were awarded a total of €162.500.00).
   2.3. Youth centres (14 projects were awarded a total of €285.000.00 ).
3. Implementation of youth oriented activities in rural areas (28 projects were awarded a total of €725.500.00)
4. Prevention of violence against and among young people (37 projects were awarded a total of €1.116.500.00)
5. Prevention of all forms of youth addiction (53 projects were awarded a total of €650. 000.00)

The specific objectives of the above-mentioned tenders are:

• encouraging the creation of local and regional programs for young people
• encouraging sustainable development and raising awareness among young people about the impact of their actions on the climate and the consequences of climate change on the environment and society
• raising the level of information among young people about their rights and opportunities, about programs and services
• ensuring quality leisure time for young people
• improving skills and employability and reducing the risk of entering NEET status
• improving the quality of life and opportunities in rural areas
• reducing all forms of violence against and among young people
• preventing all forms of addiction and behavioral addictions among young people (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, gambling, games of chance, computer games, social networks, the Internet).

The target groups of the tender included, among others, unemployed young people, young people in NEET status and young people in rural areas.

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.