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Description
Project addresses the rise of nationalism in Croatia, especially in smaller underdeveloped communities and those affected by the war in the 1990s, which due to high emigration rates also record an increase in intolerance towards national minorities, Roma, refugees and all who are perceived as “others”, whose status and rights are often denied.
Key activities: workshops in the field of human rights and two Schools of Transitional Justice; local interventions with key local stakeholders (local authorities, schools, minorities) in selected communities from three underserved counties; awareness campaigns and dissemination of good (local level) practice through a compendium of good practices on multi-ethnic cooperation, performance on refugee experiences by the refugees themselves, advocacy targeting government officials, and building capacity of CSOs.
The project aims to reduce hate speech and hate crimes at the community level; better integration of national minorities into society; interethnic cooperation among young people at the local level; raised awareness of the importance of human rights among minorities and young people; empowering citizens to oppose discrimination and xenophobia; a higher level of social cohesion at the local level; strengthening the capacity of CSOs to advocate and promote human rights.
Project partners, located in target areas, participate equally in all activities and contribute to the project with their specific expertise, including skills, knowledge and insights about target groups. They implement local interventions based on results of community based needs assessment.
The target groups are young people between 16 and 30; the elderly people, members of national and ethnic minorities and refugees, and general population with the aim of encouraging cooperation; local CSOs, executive representatives and decision makers.
Summary of project results
The problem we address with this project is the rise of nationalism in the Republic of Croatia. This issue is particularly pronounced in smaller towns and those affected by the war in the 90s, which, due to worsening economic conditions and high emigration rates, also experience an increase in intolerance towards national minorities, Roma, refugees, i.e., all those perceived as "Others" whose status and rights as citizens of the Republic of Croatia are often denied.
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has been warning Croatia since 2012-2018 about the strengthening of hate speech in the public sphere, the rise of nationalism, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia, expressing dissatisfaction with the Croatian government''s response to these phenomena. The ECRI report and the Ombudsperson''s report for 2019 confirm that hate speech and hate-motivated crimes within the context of rising nationalism in Croatia are primarily directed towards the Serbian national minority, Roma, and migrants.
The lack of knowledge and quality education, as well as the systematic and comprehensive confrontation with the past, along with the existence of prejudices, are some of the causes of intolerance in local communities. The need to focus on educating young people in the field of human rights is indicated by a conducted survey of 304 young respondents from Croatia and Serbia, in which over 80% of respondents expressed a desire to learn more about the events of the 90s. Croatian society lacks awareness and knowledge of their rights, especially regarding international and national human rights standards.
Young people are additionally exposed to processes of re-traditionalization and show tendencies towards authoritarianism (Youth Research in Croatia 2018/2019, FES Foundation and IDIZ), which is why systematic and affirmative campaigns are needed to raise awareness about a solidarity and inclusive society.
The main goal of the project is to raise awareness and empower citizens, NGOs, and decision-makers to recognize and combat discrimination and xenophobia in public spaces and local communities.
Specific objectives:
- Raise awareness of international human rights standards among members of national and ethnic minorities and youth through public campaigns targeting the public, institutions, and media, as well as artistic performances.
- Empower and educate citizens (especially youth and members of national minorities, Roma) to resist discrimination and xenophobia through knowledge of human rights and community engagement.
- Strengthen the capacities of NGOs to advocate for and promote human rights at the local and national levels by providing support to NGOs.
The project will have the following effects:
- Reduction of hate speech and hate-motivated crimes at the level of local communities.
- Better integration of national minorities into society.
- Collaboration at the local level among youth of different ethnic and national backgrounds and identities.
- Raised awareness of international human rights standards among members of national and ethnic minorities and youth.
- Empowered and educated citizens to resist discrimination and xenophobia through knowledge of human rights, recognition of hate speech, and community engagement.
- Higher levels of social cohesion and solidarity at the local level.
- Strengthened capacities of NGOs to advocate for and promote human rights at the local and national levels by providing support to NGOs.
All of these effects will lead to the creation of best practices that will contribute to the development of local communities and empower future generations in the field of human rights, interethnic cooperation, and social solidarity.
Activities carried out at the level of local communities involved in the project were based on conducted research on the needs and conditions on the ground, which served as the basis for recommendations for intergenerational and interethnic cooperation developed in collaboration with relevant civil society organizations in the field and delivered to local government. In addition to this example of research conducted to advocate for public policies, a study on the attitudes of young people towards the events of the 1990s was designed, which interested the public, prompted the implementation of similar studies in the region, and serves the development of further programs and advocacy initiatives. Research on the causes and consequences of the rise of nationalism was also conducted, creating a platform for young researchers. Collaboration on these research and advocacy activities demonstrates how this project supported cross-sectoral and intra-sectoral cooperation and synergy.
Significant success has been achieved in promoting international human rights standards through public awareness campaigns: 1) a campaign redefining patriotism in the spirit of human rights, reaching 152,109 citizens, directly involving 1,063 of them, and 2) a campaign commemorating civilian war victims with a reach of 81,139 citizens through online and offline commemorations joined by young activists and the wider public. In addition to campaigns and advocacy, contributions to promoting international human rights standards were made through an online workshop on advocacy in local communities attended by 32 representatives of NGOs with positive evaluations.
Educational activities provided support to victims of human rights violations through numerous workshops conducted in local communities on various topics such as combating discrimination, solidarity, and peace activism. Following the workshops in collaboration with the local community, including members of the Roma national minority, interventions in various formats (matches, exhibitions, forum theatre, etc.) were organized to strengthen democratic culture, civic awareness, and civic engagement.
In the implementation of activities, we were supported by volunteers and activists, many of whom have undergone educational programs, thus promoting citizen mobilization and engagement.