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Description
Student work is regulated by Croatian Law, but it puts student workers in a much more unfavourable position than the rest of the labour market in Croatia. The situation with COVID-19 further emphasizes the differences between labour rights of students and other citizens in the labour market. The main goal of the project is to correct the shortcomings in regulation of student work.
Other goals are to: Gather information that supports and proves problems related to regulation of student work through research, focus groups and public discussions; Propose public policies and amendments to regulations aimed at improving student work standards; Involve different groups of students; Encourage intergenerational cooperation through establishing dialogue with decision makers.
The expected goals and results will be achieved by the following activities: 1)Research on the representation, advantages, disadvantages and forms of student work among students of the Republic of Croatia; 2)Presentation of the conclusions of the research and held focus groups with the help of the media, as well as organization of events that will bring together relevant stakeholders in Zagreb, 3)Compilation of public policy proposals and amendments to regulations related to student work, with a panel discussion that will be held online through Zoom platform and will include students, student representatives and decision makers. The target groups of the project are student representatives, students belonging to vulnerable groups, students who work or have worked through student contracts, and decision makers.
Sustainable Development Forum Green Window is in charge, as an applicant, of organizing the project, presenting the conclusions of the research and focus groups and compiling the conclusions of the research and focus groups, while the Youth Association Varaždin Underground Club is in charge of conducting research and assisting the applicant in other project activities.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the challenges students face in the Croatian labor market, particularly regarding student employment. Students were already in a disadvantaged position before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pandemic exacerbated these issues. Key problems include inadequate student protection, lack of unemployment benefits for students, and insufficient governmental support for students and employers during the pandemic. Many students are heavily reliant on their student jobs for financial stability, and the sudden loss of these jobs or inability to work due to the pandemic has caused severe challenges. The project sought to address the systemic issues in student employment, raise awareness, and propose concrete solutions to policymakers.
The project “Students for Students – Our Voice for Dignity in Student Work” included several key activities:
- Online Survey: An online survey was conducted to better understand the extent, benefits, and shortcomings of student work in Croatia. The survey gathered data from 632 students.
- Focus Groups: Online focus groups were held with students with disabilities, active students in associations, and other students with work experience. The aim was to collect qualitative insights on student work conditions and suggestions for improvement.
- Public Debate: An online public debate was organized to discuss the survey results and address various student work-related issues.
- Social Media Campaign: A campaign called #imojradvrijedi was launched to encourage students to share their experiences with student work and spread awareness of the project.
- Online Presentation: The project results were presented through an online event with participants discussing the findings.
- Infographic: An infographic was created to visually communicate the main results of the project, making them accessible and shareable on social media.
Additionally, there were collaborations with youth organizations, media outlets, and universities across Croatia to disseminate the results and engage more students in the project.
The project achieved several important results:
- Increased Awareness: The project raised awareness about the challenges students face in the labor market, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted issues such as the inadequacy of student work regulations and the lack of support during the crisis.
- Gathered Insights: Through surveys and focus groups, the project provided valuable insights into the financial struggles of students, with 22.4% of students losing their jobs during the pandemic and 4.1% being forced to pause their studies due to financial hardship.
- Recommendations for Policymakers: The project formulated specific recommendations to improve student labor laws and government support. Although policymakers were not actively involved in the project’s implementation, the results are intended to be shared with relevant authorities, including government offices and student centers.
- Engagement of Stakeholders: Various stakeholders, including students, student organizations, civil society groups, and the media, were engaged through the project’s activities. This collaboration fostered a broader conversation about student work rights.
- Social Media Impact: The campaign reached over 250,000 users, with significant engagement from students who shared their experiences and thoughts on student work.
Overall, the main beneficiaries were students, especially those in difficult financial situations who were directly affected by the issues around student work. The project provided a platform for students to voice their concerns and participate in shaping solutions for their future work conditions.