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1. Main concepts

2. Youth interest in global issues

Main concepts

The Croatian National Youth Programme was based on the EU Youth Strategy. The Croatian priorities were:

• drawing up youth policies modelled on the policies of the EU, the Council of Europe and the UN
• youth participation in the decision-making processes on the level of the EU, the Council of Europe and the UN
• stimulating youth mobility on both the national and global levels

Since the accession to the EU in 2013, the state body competent for youth, which is now the Central State Office for Demography and Youth (Središnji državni ured za demografiju i mlade) has been participating in EU youth dialogue in Croatia (Dijalog EU-a s mladima). 

Youth Interest in global issues

Although there is no relevant research on youth and global issues on the level of Croatia, there are several studies on youth values and attitudes.

According to the data in Flash Eurobarometer No. 455  (published in 2018):

• young people in Croatia that stayed abroad for the purpose of volunteering: less than 2 weeks – 3%; 2 to 4 weeks –  1%; longer than 1 month – 1%
• young people that had the opportunity to volunteer abroad but chose not to do so – 15%; and young people that haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer abroad – 80%
• young people that participated in any activities or projects aimed at fostering cooperation with youth from other countries: in activities and projects with young people from other European countries – 12%; in activities and projects with young people from other continents – 2%; young people that didn’t participate – 80%

In the paper “Youth and politics: (dis)continuity trends” from 2013 (Ilišin, Vlasta i Spajić Vrkaš, Vedrana, 2017, Mladi i politika: trendovi (dis)kontinuiteta), the comparative presentation of the general attitude towards the EU shows: 23.2% have a positive attitude, 47.9% have a neutral attitude, and 13.9% have a negative attitude.

Their estimate on EU significance (the combination of “I agree” and “I completely agree” responses):

• 63.7% - the freedom of movement
• 49.1% - better protection of citizens’ rights
• 44.6% - numerous job openings and fighting unemployment
• 41.9% - better future for young generations
• 39.0% - better protection of workers’ rights

Their perception of positive outcomes of Croatia’s accession to the EU:

• 86.0% - increased options for travel and making friends
• 81.8% - better and more quality education
• 80.5% - better familiarization of other nations’ cultures and religions
• 78.1% - better employment possibilities
• 77.4% - greater economic development
• 73.4% - quicker democratisation of society
• 72.0% - better human rights and minorities protection
• 70.0% - higher living standard

69.2% - better military protection of Croatia