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1. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

2. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

When Croatia acceded to the EU in 2013, it began implementing the structured dialogue, now called the EU youth dialogue in Croatia (Dijalog EU-a s mladima). Its goal is to make young people’s voice heard in the national and European youth policy-shaping process. In Croatia, it is known under the slogan “EU asks” (“EU pita”).

The implementation is headed by the National Workgroup for EU youth dialogue, which is comprised of representatives of the state competent body, the Agency for mobility and EU programmes, the Association of Youth Information Centres in Croatia and the Croatian Youth Network.

The 9^th EU youth dialogue cycle started from January 2022 till mid-2023 over the course of the France, Czech Republic  and Sweden EU Presidencies. The thematic priority of the 9^th cycle is “A Sustainable and Green Europe”. Croatia participated in 7^th EU youth dialogue cycle from January 2019 til mid-2020 with thematic priority “Creating opportunities for Youth”. The Croatian national priority was “Opportunity for Rural Youth”.

Training for local coordinators of EU youth dialogue in Croatia was held in October 2020.

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

The EU youth dialogue in Croatia (Dijalog EU-a s mladima) also enables the communication of young people and policy-makers on the international level. This process is administrated by the European structured dialogue workgroup, comprised of the European Youth Forum, European Commission and the trio of countries presiding over the EU.

Since 2014, The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the national competent body for youth (former ministries till mid-2020 and now the Central State Office for Demography and Youth) have been the carriers of the measure to develop a support system for youth, youth organisations, and for youth participation in the UN bodies’ decision-making processes.

In August 2020 a Croatian Youth delegate to the United Nations was appointed, namely Mr. Josip Perkušić and Mr. Darko Suljičić is appointed as a deputy delegate. The role of the Youth delegate to the United Nations is to participate in the General Assembly and functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. In that context, the youth delegate provides input to their delegation on issues related to youth or priority issues raised in national consultations prior to their engagement with the intergovernmental meeting. Moreover, Mr. Perkušić (or his deputy) was tasked to inform the relevant national institutions and young people on the UN work in the field of youth.

Since 2014, the Ministry of Culture and Media has been the carrier of the measure to develop a support system for youth, youth organisations, and for youth participation in the UNESCO bodies’ decision-making processes.

The Central State Office for Demography and Youth (Središnji državni ured za demografiju i mlade is the carrier of the measure to develop a support system for youth, youth organisations, and for youth participation in the EU and Council of Europe bodies’ decision-making processes.

World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)- it’s mission is to inform, sustain and energize a global network of United Nations Associations to support the principles and programs of the United Nations and to help shape its agenda. WFUNA Youth aims to gain more support for the spirit of the United Nations among young people, as well as to promote the world-wide activities of United Nations Youth Associations and UNA Youth Programs. It seeks to promote the establishment of United Nations Youth Associations or Youth Programs where they do not exist. WFUNA-Youth is an autonomous, not-for-profit organization, affiliated with the World Federation.

Moot Court Croatia is a competition taking the form of a simulated trial procedure where student teams helped by a mentor solve a hypothetical legal case. The competition enables students to acquire new knowledge, new acquaintances and practical experience under the leadership of recognized legal experts. The MCC team is involved in the organisation and implementation of the whole competition, beginning with the promotion and application of students from all Faculties of Law in Croatia and following up until the very end of the competition.

The Erasmus+ programme enables young people in Croatia to apply for the “European Solidarity Corps” project. The goal of this project is promoting solidarity as one of the European values; the others being:

• democratic participation
• environment
• protecting the nature
• health and wellbeing
• education
• employment
• culture
• social welfare and care
• reception and integration of refugees and migrants
• preventing disasters

The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is one of the largest platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, international dialogue, and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe, present in more than 40 European countries. The European Youth Parliament Croatia was founded in 1994. Since its founding, the EYPC organized numerous EYP days, 8 regional sessions, 29 national sessions, two international sessions and an international forum. The EYP is an organisation lead and coordinated by young people for young people.

Within the Erasmus+ programme, young people can participate in the Transnational Youth Initiative, with the goal of solving community problems through cooperation with peers from other countries.

Some of the associations active in the field of volunteering, EU citizenship and democracy:

• The association for promoting positive affirmation of youth in society "Impress" Daruvar
• Carpe diem – the association for stimulating and development of creative and social potential in children, youth and adults
• Velebit association Kuterevo
• Youth association Alfa Albona
• Eco Centre Latinovac
• Independent youth association
• The Argonaut association
• The Youth for Marof
• The Žmergo association
• Interaktiva
• PRONI Centre for Social Education
• Volunteer centre Osijek
• Local action group Vallis Colapis
• The IKS association
• Association alliance Rojca
• The ZUM association
• Centre of technical culture Rijeka
• Sustainable development association Pozitiva Samobor
• The Enas association
• Split Youth club
• Youth help association HELP – Split
• Youth association “Youth in the European Union”
• ISTRIAN de Dignan - ECOMUSEUM
• INFORMO – organisation for encouraging employment, training, and education
• Suncokret Center for Community Development
• Zagor association network
• The Forum for Freedom in Education
• Outward Bound Croatia
• O.A.ZA – Sustainable Alternative to Community
• Ocean of Knowledge Croatia
• Syncro Synergy Croatia
• The Amazonas association
• The Volim Volontirati association – Vovo
• Urban Youth
• Krila – Therapeutic horseback riding
• Croatian Red Cross – Gradsko društvo Crvenog križa Županja

Some of the associations active in the field of environment and climate change:

• Prism – association for stimulating the development of human potential and creativity
• Ludbreg association of young enthusiasts (LUMEN)
• The Argonaut association
• The Žmergo association
• O.A.ZA – Sustainable Alternative to Community

Some of the associations active in the field of health and healthy lifestyle:

• Avadhuta – association for promoting multiculturalism and healthy lifestyle
• Velebit association Kuterevo
• Eco Centre Latinovac
• Sea Scouts Posejdon
• Outward Bound Croatia
• Poplar Trees
• Krugovi - Centre for education, counselling, and humanitarian aid
• Life Potential

Some of the associations active in the field of fighting discrimination and intolerance, doping and drug use:

• Regional Youth Info-centre Rijeka – UMKI

Some of the associations active in the field of equality and inclusivity:

• Platypus
• RNV