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Description
Young refugees in Croatia face numerous challenges when it comes to their inclusion in the community and don’t have adequate support through integration policies. On the other hand, the local community is not inclined to civic engagement through volunteering and there is a need to educate it in the context of human rights. The project aims to develop civic awareness and engagement of the local community and increase solidarity and their knowledge of human rights in the context of migration and refugees. On the other hand, through increased engagement we want to contribute to the social inclusion of young refugees through the development and implementation of social mentoring programs. The project we are proposing is essentially a volunteer program through which local volunteers are educated to become mentors to young refugees, and the competencies of both groups are strengthened in terms of human rights of young refugees. The methodology we are developing builds on the existing program we are implementing, and the whole model is an innovative way of including young refugees by activating local citizens to volunteer in youth work with young refugees and as such serves as an alternative to existing classic integration models that are not tailored to this specific group. The program we are developing will be possible to use after the end of the program because we will share the results, and the main result is the development of a methodology that can be used by other organizations, with relevant organizations and actors. The results are applicable to other target groups, such as young people from alternative care and other local communities outside Croatia, as all EU countries face the same challenge of integrating young refugees into society.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the lack of specialized support programs for young refugees aged 18 to 30 in Croatia, a population facing numerous challenges in education, employment, and social integration. Upon turning 18, young refugees lose many of the rights and protections they had as minors, making it difficult for them to access essential services such as education, healthcare, psychosocial support, and housing.
A particular problem is the insufficient availability of language courses, underdeveloped life and professional skills, and limited access to the education system, which prevents many young refugees from continuing their studies or joining the labor market. As a result, their economic independence is restricted, and the risk of social exclusion and poverty is significantly increased.
The project also addressed the issue of insufficient connection between local communities and young asylum seekers, as well as the low level of civic engagement in Croatia. Research shows that young people have a lack of knowledge about human rights and democratic values and express concerning attitudes toward certain social groups. Additionally, volunteering and social engagement in Croatia are at a very low level—according to 2013 data, Croatia ranked last among 135 countries in terms of volunteering rates, with only 6% of the population participating in volunteer activities.
In addition to focusing on addressing these challenges in Croatia, the project recognized the broader European dimension of the issue. Young refugees across the EU often face the same barriers, and the EU Action Plan for Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027) specifically highlights that a significant number of young migrants are not involved in education, employment, or training, making them particularly vulnerable. Therefore, the project had the potential for application not only in Croatia but also in other European countries, contributing to improving conditions for young refugees across the EU. Furthermore, the effects of the project could also be applied to other vulnerable groups, such as young people transitioning out of alternative care, who also face challenges in becoming independent and integrating into society.
The "Get Together" project carried out a series of activities focused on the integration of young refugees and strengthening the capacity of the local community through an innovative social mentoring model.
One of the key activities was the implementation of the social mentoring program for 16 young refugees and asylum seekers, who, through individualized support, gained the skills necessary for successful integration into Croatian society. The program enabled them to achieve personal goals, including finding employment, learning Croatian, and expanding their social networks.
To ensure quality support for the youth, the project also included the education and empowerment of local volunteers. Through a series of workshops, 11 volunteers acquired the necessary skills and knowledge for effective mentoring and providing support to young refugees in their adjustment process. This segment of the program also contributed to strengthening civic engagement within the local community.
The project developed an innovative social mentoring methodology, which allows for the adaptation of the program and its application to other vulnerable groups. This methodology ensures the sustainability and long-term impact of the project beyond its initial framework.
Additionally, through workshops at universities, the project raised awareness about the challenges faced by young refugees. Students and academic professionals had the opportunity to expand their understanding of migration issues and social mentoring, further encouraging the spread of knowledge within the academic community.
Finally, the project fostered collaboration with academic institutions, including the Faculty of Law, the Social Work Study Center, and the Faculty of Teacher Education at the University of Zagreb. These partnerships facilitated the exchange of knowledge and resources and strengthened the connection between the academic sector and civil society on refugee integration issues.
The "Get Together" project achieved significant results that had a positive impact on young refugees and asylum seekers, local volunteers, the academic community, and the civil society sector.
One of the most important outcomes was the direct positive impact on young refugees and asylum seekers. Through the social mentoring program, 85 young individuals received support in their integration into Croatian society, including assistance with employment, education, language learning, and expanding social networks. This approach provided them with greater independence and better opportunities for the future.
The project also contributed to empowering local volunteers, who gained new knowledge, skills, and experiences through their involvement in mentoring. In addition to developing a sense of social responsibility, research showed that 30% of participants began engaging more frequently in cultural and social activities after the program, confirming the long-term impact of the project on civic engagement.
The long-term sustainability and broad impact of the project were ensured through the development of an innovative mentoring model, which can serve as a best practice example and be applied to work with other vulnerable groups. This approach enables tailored and more effective methods of integration, improving social processes for other communities in need.
The project had a significant impact on the academic community, especially through collaboration with students and academic professionals who gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by young refugees through workshops. This increased awareness of migration issues and social mentoring contributes to better preparation for future professionals who will work with vulnerable groups.
An important result was the establishment of long-term partnerships with academic institutions, including the Faculty of Law, the Social Work Study Center, and the Faculty of Teacher Education at the University of Zagreb, as well as organizations such as the Rehabilitation Center for Stress and Trauma and FICE. These collaborations facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the academic sector and civil society, strengthening the capacity of organizations working with refugees.
Finally, the project demonstrated the importance of innovative approaches to social inclusion. Through tailored mentoring methods, it was shown how integration processes can be improved not only for young refugees but also for other vulnerable groups. Thus, the "Get Together" project serves as a model for how innovative social initiatives can long-term enhance inclusion processes and strengthen communities.