More information
Description
Organizational support will:
- help to amortize the previous losses in resources in the past two years (annual budget was strongly reduced, which caused a reduction in the working hours of most employees).
- strengthen of program and organizational capacities (re-establishing the structured work of volunteers, increasing the number of associates and members).
- enable financial stability and reduce dependence on available public calls and current political trends.
- enable the establishment of new programs for the LGBTIQ community, which suffers the consequences of minority stress caused by public opinion and political trends. In today''s society, where health and psychosocial services are under an unprecedented burden, members of minority groups do not have access to adequate support.
- enable the strengthening of networking, the establishment of key partnerships and the raising of funds for fulfilling the Association''s goals;
- empowerment of employees and other collaborators, which will consequently improve visibility among decision-makers and general population.
- establishment of an anti-burnout program for civil society organizations that deal with the protection and promotion of human rights in order to preserve and strengthen the sector in which we operate.
- enable psychosocial support for LGBTIQ persons and free legal assistance for protection of their rights and the sanctioning of rights violations, while advocacy and information will influence the application of rights and the improvement of policies concerning LGBTIQ persons.
Summary of project results
In a landscape shaped by frequent crises, shifting societal needs, and emerging trends, our organization’s strategy focuses on fostering resilience, inclusivity, and democratic engagement. This report delves into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of civil society and outlines targeted interventions to address pressing issues.
Context and Challenges
Recent developments highlight significant hurdles that require a robust and flexible approach:
Impact of Frequent Crises: The increasing frequency of crises underscores the need for greater adaptability and resilience among civil society organizations (CSOs) to provide effective responses.
Democratic Backsliding and Shrinking Civic Space: A decline in democratic culture, limited civic engagement, and weak synergies among local CSOs hinder collective action. Furthermore, insufficient capacities to implement quality volunteer programs exacerbate the issue (CERANEO).
Erosion of Trust: Growing distrust in politics, leadership, institutions, and even civil society itself limits effective societal engagement (IDIZ).
Youth Disengagement: Low trust among youth in systemic structures and a lack of education on democracy result in minimal participation in civic and political life (IDIZ).
Inequalities and Regional Disparities: Rising inequalities, challenges faced by vulnerable groups, and significant regional imbalances in the realization of rights—particularly in Slavonia and Baranja—create barriers to equitable development. For instance, 23.9% of the population is at risk of poverty or exclusion, compounded by an influx of refugees and economic migrants (KLJP).
Deepening Divisions: Widening gaps across beliefs, generations, ethnicities, and cultural groups threaten social cohesion.
Target Groups
Our targeted interventions focus on addressing the needs of specific groups adversely affected by these challenges:
Primary Groups: Women, LGBTIQ individuals, youth, elderly populations, social and impact entrepreneurs.
Secondary Groups: Civil society organizations, employers, union workers, and decision-makers.
Strategic Focus
Civil engagement and a robust civil society are essential for revitalizing democracy, rebuilding trust, and fostering community resilience. Our strategy prioritizes the following areas:
Civic Education: Educating children and youth on democracy to cultivate informed, engaged citizens.
Enhanced Civic Engagement: Promoting democratic values through participatory education, high-quality volunteering opportunities, and participative societal development models.
Strengthening CSO Capacities: Bolstering the democratic, synergistic potential and operational capacities of CSOs.
Empowering Vulnerable Groups: Addressing the needs of marginalized communities by fostering inclusion and creating equal opportunities.
Inclusive Community Development: Building diverse, inclusive communities that support equitable growth.
Collaborative Networks: Strengthening solidarity through collaborative networks of support and mutual aid.
Strategic Response to Emerging Issues
Our Strategic Plan is designed to respond to new opportunities and prolonged uncertainty caused by events such as earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts in Ukraine, the relativization of scientific achievements, and the restriction of reproductive rights. These issues affect all residents of Croatia, with marginalized groups facing additional minority stress. For instance, members of the LGBTIQ community and those working in organizations promoting human rights often experience significant deterioration in well-being.
To address these challenges, our focus during this strategic period includes:
Support for LGBTIQ Individuals: Beyond providing spaces for cultural expression and artistic development, we will establish psychosocial and legal support services and work to improve labor rights for LGBTIQ individuals. This effort will involve employers and union workers as key secondary stakeholders.
Burnout Prevention for CSOs: Recognizing the strain on organizations working with marginalized groups, we aim to implement accessible programs to prevent burnout and optimize their operations. Sustaining and strengthening these organizations is critical to counteracting societal retraditionalization trends in Croatia.
Enhancing Visibility: Amplifying the reach and impact of the VoxFeminae.net portal to ensure that its resources and information are readily available to all primary target groups, especially women and LGBTIQ individuals.
This strategic vision acknowledges the interconnectedness of societal challenges and aims to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities through targeted actions and robust partnerships.
Promoting Gender Equality and Combating Gender Stereotypes Through Media and Cultural Events
In 2023, VoxFeminae.net continued its mission to promote gender equality and challenge stereotypes, despite a slight drop in readership. The platform maintained high-quality content, introducing original illustrations and guest editorials, and collaborating on European projects like "Come Together" and "Responsible Journalism."
The Vox Feminae Festival, celebrating its 17th edition, highlighted women’s creativity and gained increased visibility through media coverage and growing mainstream attention to women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights. The 18th edition promises continued success.
The Šesnaestica Cultural Center hosted 55 events in 2023, fostering a vibrant space for civil society and creative expression. The focus on women’s musical expression and new programs like LOUD! HR in 2024 aim to further equip the feminist and LGBTQIA+ communities with skills in cultural event production.
K-zona supported young artists, with many debuting projects at Šesnaestica, and continued its partnership with the "6 Actresses Seek an Author" initiative, promoting contemporary Croatian drama focused on women’s narratives.
With a strong commitment to gender equality and artistic expression, K-zona looks forward to an even more impactful future.
Advancing Democratic Principles and Human Rights: Enhancing Workplace Equality for LGBTIQ+ Individuals
In 2023, K-zona’s project Radnopravnost svima! focused on promoting workplace equality for LGBTIQ+ individuals through employer education, legal support, and community engagement. K-zona conducted 19 training sessions across sectors, using a Workplace Equality Indicator to provide tailored recommendations on inclusivity, workers'' rights, and combating discrimination.
International collaboration included knowledge exchanges with Italian and French unions and participation in a Global Unions webinar. A working group developed recommendations to combat workplace discrimination, which informed three training sessions with union representatives.
K-zona empowered the LGBTIQ+ community through seven events, reaching 168 participants. Five quizzes and two film screenings promoted education and legal support. The Radnopravnost 2023 conference gathered 197 participants to share best practices for workplace inclusivity.
Legal support handled 20 inquiries related to workplace harassment and discrimination. K-zona also launched a pilot program for psychological support and workshops, enhancing the well-being and resilience of LGBTIQ+ individuals. In 2024, K-zona plans to expand its efforts in advocacy and support.
Fostering Well-being and a Sustainable Ecosystem Through Social and Impact Entrepreneurship
In 2023, K-zona advanced its goal of creating an entrepreneurial hub in Boškovićeva 7b, despite delays. In partnership with Impact Hub Zagreb and supported by the Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe, K-zona launched a two-year program to support LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs, focusing on marginalized groups such as women, trans, and non-binary individuals, as well as survivors of violence and those with disabilities.
A key achievement was the creation of QueerBeez, Croatia’s first feminist network for LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs, now connecting over 40 members. K-zona organized bi-monthly events to enhance members'' skills and a newsletter for promoting their services and products.
Additionally, K-zona and Impact Hub Zagreb rolled out two educational programs for entrepreneurs at different stages, with the first cycle concluding successfully. The program includes two-day retreats to solidify learning and foster collaboration. Two more cycles are planned by April 2025.
Through these initiatives, K-zona is building a sustainable ecosystem that promotes inclusion, economic empowerment, and community among LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs in Croatia.
Enhancing Financial Stability and Capacity Building
In 2023, K-zona experienced a 15% increase in membership revenue, while self-financing revenue saw a decline of 48.38%. This decrease was largely due to fewer opportunities in audiovisual production, as the team lacked a leader for most of the year. However, overall revenue for 2023 was higher than in 2022, reflecting continued positive growth.
The organization successfully launched three new projects—Come Together, Responsible Journalism, and QueerBeez—which will contribute to financial stability in 2024 and 2025. K-zona also secured a three-year institutional grant from NZRCD for 2024-2026 and a one-year organizational support grant from Kulture Nove for 2024. Although a project on LGBTIQ+ workers'' rights did not receive funding, K-zona is optimistic about its future financial prospects.
In March 2024, K-zona applied for three international projects under Erasmus+ that aim to promote economic stability, LGBTIQ+ inclusivity in the workplace, and address burnout. The organization is the lead partner for one project and a partner in the others.
To strengthen its internal capacity, K-zona employees participated in 17 training sessions in 2023, with further capacity-building planned for 2024 through projects like Come Together and Responsible Journalism. This will enhance the team''s skills in key areas necessary for the organization’s continued success.
Strengthening Organizational Structure and Culture
In 2023, K-zona saw a significant increase in volunteer engagement, with the number of volunteers rising by 66.67%, reaching 25 volunteers compared to 15 in 2021 and 2022. The number of volunteer hours also increased by 35.05%, totaling 682 hours. While the growth of membership was slower than expected, increasing from 34 to 39 members, the overall active participation in the organization rose by 7% compared to previous years.
To support internal development, K-zona began organizational supervision in February 2023, led by Kristina Urbanc, which helped foster better communication and problem-solving within the team. This process will continue in 2024 and 2025.
Despite challenges, including the loss of key team members in 2023, K-zona successfully met its obligations and made progress. However, burnout became a concern for some employees. In response, the organization introduced an anti-burnout plan for 2023/2024 and restructured job roles to align better with actual duties. Salaries were also adjusted to address inflation, alleviating some stress in the team. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, new hiring was not possible, and most employees are now working reduced hours. K-zona remains committed to securing full-time positions through upcoming projects and addressing staffing needs in 2024.
Increasing Impact Through Networking and Dissemination of Activities and Results
In 2023, K-zona joined the thematic network Medijsko obrazovanje je važno.MOV, aiming to strengthen civil society organizations'' capacity for effective dialogue with public administration, social partners, and educational institutions on media literacy reform. This membership enables K-zona to network with organizations focused on media literacy and fact-checking. Additionally, K-zona employees working on the VoxFeminae.net portal began training in fact-checking, which further emphasizes the importance of networking for knowledge exchange and coordinated action.
K-zona’s activities are primarily showcased through the VoxFeminae.net portal and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where follower numbers have been steadily growing. In 2023, the organization saw a 2.41% increase in Facebook followers and an 8.29% increase on Instagram. Collaborations, such as with Karla Andrić for the promotion of the Vox Feminae Festival, have further boosted the organization’s visibility in mainstream media. The festival also benefitted from a partnership with Grof Darkula, who has over 60,000 Instagram followers, resulting in a packed cinema for the screening.
Recognizing the need to improve its marketing efforts, K-zona initiated cooperation with Maja Krištafor, an external marketing consultant, thanks to support from the Gender Equality Alliance Europe project. This partnership aims to enhance the organization’s capacity in social media advertising, marketing strategy development, and market opportunity identification.
In late 2023, K-zona organized and hosted a two-day hybrid international conference titled "Radnopravnost 2023 – Radno mjesto ponosno na raznolikost." The conference featured presentations and panel discussions focused on inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, as well as best practices from both private and public sectors. Notably, the conference also offered insights into the challenges faced by trans, intersex, and gender-diverse individuals in employment. It attracted 197 participants from various sectors, creating a significant platform for international and intersectoral networking. The conference contributed to disseminating K-zona’s work and further strengthened its connections with stakeholders committed to advancing LGBTIQ+ rights in the workplace.
In early 2024, K-zona launched QueerBeez, Croatia’s first feminist network of LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs, which currently connects over 40 entrepreneurs. This network provides a platform for mutual consultation and collaboration. Additionally, K-zona initiated a newsletter in March 2024 to share results and provide increased visibility for the network''s members.
For the 2023 annual report, K-zona took advice from the Zaklada Slagalica to make the report more accessible and comprehensible to the general public and members, shifting away from the previous donor-focused format. This change aims to make K-zona’s work clearer to a broader audience.
During the support period, K-zona focused on empowering and increasing the visibility of young and emerging artists, especially women and LGBTIQ+ individuals. Through the Vox Feminae festival and the programs at DKC “Šesnaestica,” K-zona provided a platform for showcasing their work, fostering a safe and supportive environment for personal and professional growth. These events allowed participants to develop skills in areas such as choral singing, animation, visual arts, women''s history, and home repairs, free of charge.
Additionally, the portal VoxFeminae.net continued to feature articles from both established and young journalists, cultural workers, and experts, along with original illustrations. The platform also served as a vital tool for publishing and promoting the work of the artists involved.
K-zona introduced free legal advice services for LGBTIQ+ individuals, addressing the growing number of discrimination cases reported by LGBTIQ+ community members, who now feel more confident in recognizing and reporting discrimination or seeking legal counsel. The DKC “Šesnaestica” has also been a crucial space for LGBTIQ+ individuals to gather, socialize, and organize around issues important to them.
Furthermore, K-zona launched a network for LGBTIQ+ entrepreneurs, facilitating mutual support and knowledge exchange on market opportunities and challenges in Croatia. This network helps strengthen the community, fostering collaboration and solidarity among LGBTIQ+ business owners.
In its collaboration with civil society organizations, informal initiatives, and active citizens, K-zona has expanded the reach and visibility of DKC “Šesnaestica” programs. Media exposure through VoxFeminae.net has enhanced the recognition of these activities, and the space continues to be a safe environment for marginalized groups.
For employers across Croatia, K-zona provided concrete recommendations on how to improve their business practices and internal policies to ensure compliance with Croatian laws and create more inclusive workplaces for LGBTIQ+ individuals and other vulnerable groups. Additionally, K-zona offered free consultations on various related issues.
K-zona also worked with trade unions, providing them with clear recommendations on how to enhance internal and external actions and collective bargaining processes to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, thus protecting the rights of marginalized workers. Some unions even incorporated these recommendations into their ongoing collective agreement negotiations.
In 2023, K-zona''s staff participated in various capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening their work in media, human rights, and LGBTIQ+ advocacy. Tihana Bertek, editor of VoxFeminae.net, attended a training on combating online hate speech, organized by the Human Rights House and Zagreb Pride, focusing on recognizing and addressing online hate while understanding the boundaries of freedom of expression. She also participated in the Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners at the European University Institute, gaining insights into the challenges of journalism in the digital age.
Anja Mihajlović, K-zona''s lawyer, took part in a workshop on international human rights protection, which deepened her understanding of international legal frameworks and the UN''s human rights procedures. This knowledge supported K-zona''s involvement in a UN inquiry regarding violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
K-zona also participated in workshops for strengthening fact-checking capacities, notably a session with Faktograf, focusing on methodologies and tools for independent fact-checking. This workshop is part of a broader strategy to integrate fact-checking into their work, especially on the VoxFeminae.net portal.
The organization also engaged in knowledge-sharing transfers with international partners, such as the Ufficio Nuovi Diritti CGIL Nazionale from Italy and Public Service International France, to enhance their capacity in training for LGBTIQ+ rights in the workplace. This was supplemented by participation in the SINDIKATI protiv LGBTfobije global webinar and the creation of recommendations for unions on inclusive labor practices.
Gabrijela Ivanov, a key team member, completed professional training in NLP, expressive art therapy, and organizational transactional analysis, applying these methods in her work on gender equality and burnout prevention.
Additionally, K-zona engaged in organizational supervision to improve team dynamics and organizational stability amidst changes and challenges. These efforts ensured continuous professional development and support for K-zona’s staff, strengthening their impact on human rights advocacy and LGBTIQ+ issues.
During the support period, significant changes occurred in the human and financial resources available to the organization. The most notable change was the reduction in staff, with two employees leaving for personal reasons. This necessitated a reorganization of work and capacity building for the remaining staff, including the organization’s financial manager. Although the organization considered hiring new staff to fill the vacant roles, it was unable to secure European project funding to support such employment. As a result, responsibilities were redistributed among existing employees, ensuring their well-being and respect for their labor rights.
Additionally, one of the co-chairs and program director of the organization took an unexpected extended unpaid leave due to personal reasons. This required further redistribution of tasks, aligned with the employees’ preferences and competencies, while maintaining a focus on their well-being and rights. These changes impacted the achievement of previously set goals; however, most goals were successfully met despite these challenges. Throughout this process, the organization prioritized the quality of the services it provides.
On the financial side, during the organizational support period, the organization secured significant European funding to finance the VoxFeminae.net portal, facilitate networking with other media outlets, and build staff capacities for fact-checking. However, it did not receive funding for projects related to the protection and promotion of human rights, which significantly affected its operations in 2023 and 2024.
The organization continues to offer all its previous services to its users. Some activities targeting employers have become fee-based, while services for other users remain unchanged in scope and delivery. The VoxFeminae.net portal has expanded its scope to include fact-checking, with staff undergoing training for this purpose. Fierce Women, the social enterprise co-founded by the organization, continues to operate successfully. The organization also secured funds to further develop its capacity in social entrepreneurship and actively shares this knowledge with its users through education and events. This effort stems from a recognized need to promote social entrepreneurship, particularly among individuals who often face discrimination or harassment in their workplaces.