On this page

1. Youth parliament

2. Youth councils and/or youth advisory boards

3. Higher education student union(s)

4. School student union(s)

5. Other bodies

Youth parliament

In Croatia, there is no National Youth Parliament.

Youth councils and/or youth advisory boards

On July 14^th, 2023, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Amendments to the Youth Councils Act. It is expected that the adoption of amendments will improve the status of youth councils at local and regional level and their cooperation with authorities. The goal is to encourage young people to take an active role in society and have better communication with decision-makers. These efforts aim to improve the quality of young people's lives in their communities, addressing their current needs. 

As part of these amendments, a coordinating body for youth at the national level, Youth Council of the Republic of Croatia that acts as a National Youth Council of the Republic of Croatia, is established. This body coordinates the work of all youth councils, monitors, and promotes youth interests at the national level, and manage activities in international cooperation.

In June 2025 Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the Decision on establishing the Council for the development of youth policies of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The Council is expected to be advisory body of the Government of the Republic of Croatia with the task of participating in development of public policies that affect young people.

The Council is being established and will consist of representatives of the state administration bodies, civil society organizations, National Youth Council of the Republic of Croatia, Croatian Youth Delegate to the United Nations, representative of Croatian Student Union and National Student Council of the Republic Croatia.

Higher education student union(s)

According to the Students' Council and Other Students Organisations Act, the Students' Council is a student representative body that safeguards students’ interests, participates in the university decision-making, and represents students in higher education structures. Every university and university of applied sciences is required to have a Students' Council, collectively constituting the Croatian Students' Council (CSC).

The CSC is an umbrella organisation representing all Croatian students. It strives to address the interests of over 200 000 students across Croatian faculties, academies, as well as professional and vocational colleges. Established in 1996, the CSC is recognised by the Ministry of Education and Science as the primary student organisation in Croatia. It is regarded as a partner of the Ministry in higher education reform, enhancing student welfare, shaping educational policies, and fostering student participation in the decision-making process. The CSC became a full member of the European Student Association in 2001. Additionally, the CSC is one of the founders of the South-East Initiatives (SEI), a network of student unions in the South-East Europe, and is affiliated with the MedNet – the Mediterranean Network of Student Representatives.

Student representatives (members of student councils) are elected through student elections, allowing every student to cast a vote and stand as a candidate. The higher education student union is funded from the university’s budget.

School student union(s)

Student school councils are defined by the Act on Primary and Secondary School Education. According to this Act, every primary and secondary school should have a student council. The representative of the Student Council participate in school bodies, albeit without decision-making rights. Primary and Secondary Student Councils aim to encourage students at school, city, county, and national levels to express their interest and address issues by participating in real school or community life. This involvement is supported by teachers, parents, local community authorities, and national school authorities. Student Councils are legally organised through:

• students' county councils

• students' city councils

• National students' council of the Republic of Croatia

Other bodies

There is no documentation indicating the existence of other bodies in Croatia.