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Description
The mission of Forum for Freedom in Education (FFE) is to develop, enhance and implement educational programs and projects as well as influence public policies with the aim of advancement of Croatian education system, in line with FFE basic values (such as democracy, human rights and child wellbeing).
In the next strategic period, FFE will achieve its mission is to:
1.) Contribute to development of democratic, inclusive and sustainable school (School Democratization).
2.) Improve wellbeing and active participation of children and youth in all their diversity, with special emphasis on the resilience and recovery from the crisis (Wellbeing and participation of children and youth)
3.) Actively contribute to widening and empowering a network of educators for democracy (Supporting Civil society)
4.) Advocate for FFE strategic goals (Advocacy for democracy in education)
5.) Organizational development of FFE.
Our focus is on: School democratization (civic education); Personal and Social Competences (mental health, diversity, wellbeing, participation), Teaching advancement (advancing teaching methodology and emergency education); and Youth programs.
Within the education system we recognize a variety of needs of our target groups (children, youth, teachers, educators, counsellors, principals, policy makers, parents). Currently the system is dealing with consequences of triple crisis: pandemic, earthquakes, war in Ukraine, and all stakeholders will need specific support in providing psychosocial support and continued learning to all children as well as refugee children and parents. With the societies changing dramatically, all stakeholders will need to deepen their understanding of human rights, democracy, law and politics, sustainability, climate change, peace education as well as mental health protection. Schools will have to make their contribution in building a democratic, inclusive and sustainable society.
Summary of project results
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the entire world, including the educational system and non-formal education. A significant number of activities for beneficiaries transitioned to online formats, demanding greater creativity and the development of new skills. The earthquakes in several regions created a crisis and stress, necessitating adaptation both for the target groups and the civil society organizations themselves. The war in Ukraine has introduced a new reality that must be considered and integrated into parts of our work, responding to emerging needs within the system.
Civil society organizations heavily rely on project financing, which means that calls for proposals often dictate the direction of program offerings and the energy devoted to certain activities.
Needs of Primary Target Groups:
Educational Workers: With significantly increased stress levels and a shortage of experts in professional services, there is a growing demand for teachers to respect diversity, support inclusion, develop students'' personal skills, and provide psychosocial support. The heightened pressure on educators calls for new approaches to creating a supportive learning environment that meets the diverse needs of students.
Children and Youth: There is a pressing need to provide systematic support in the area of mental health, as well as to address the inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and social challenges. Additionally, there is a clear need for fostering civic and political literacy to enable young people to engage in democratic processes and contribute meaningfully to society.
School Principals: There is a significant demand for leadership skills that are rooted in democratic principles. Due to a lack of awareness, knowledge, and sometimes fear in addressing issues of diversity, minority group positions, and gender equality, some students and staff members experience exclusion or discrimination. Principals need to be equipped with the skills to foster inclusive school environments that uphold democratic values.
Needs of Secondary Target Groups:
Civil Society Organizations (experts and trainers in democratic processes and civic education): These organizations require networking, strengthening, and additional support to align their actions effectively. Collaboration within the sector is crucial for the successful implementation of projects aimed at fostering democracy and civic engagement.
Decision-Makers: There is a gap in the competence required to actively involve children and youth in decision-making processes, as well as a lack of awareness about the importance of democratic processes in shaping policies and decisions. Decision-makers must be trained to integrate the perspectives of younger generations into the policymaking process.
In conclusion, the pandemic and its aftermath, along with the ongoing socio-political crises, have highlighted urgent needs across various levels of society. These include addressing mental health, fostering inclusion, developing leadership skills, and ensuring that youth have the tools they need to participate in democracy. At the same time, civil society organizations and policymakers must be supported in developing the necessary capacities to create a more resilient and inclusive society.
Since launching its monitoring system in 2018, the Forum for Freedom in Education has worked with 725 schools and educational institutions across Croatia. The network has continued to grow, with 132 new schools joining since 2022—83 of them in the final project year (April 2023 – April 2024).
One of the key initiatives, the "Schools of Support" program, began in 2021 in Sisak-Moslavina County with 30 schools and has since expanded to 42 schools across Sisak-Moslavina, Međimurje, and Varaždin counties. Nineteen of these schools were new to Forum’s programs. Around 3,333 students took part in empowerment workshops, while five schools introduced regular support sessions for vulnerable student groups. A curriculum review showed that 37 schools had formally integrated the program into their school plans.
Civic education also saw significant advancements. Training programs, organized in collaboration with the City of Zagreb, expanded to Vrbovec, Križevci, Makarska, and Međimurje County. In partnership with the GOOD Initiative, six training modules covered topics like anti-corruption education and volunteering with children and youth. Forty teachers completed the training, earning professional development certificates, with evaluations averaging 4.85 out of 5. A pilot project introducing civic education as an extracurricular activity was launched in Zagreb, engaging 26 primary and four secondary schools. Additional teacher training sessions in eight primary schools in Sisak covered mediation, anti-corruption education, and volunteering, with an average rating of 4.81. Discussions are ongoing to further expand these efforts in Međimurje County, Vrbovec, and Križevci.
Leadership development was another major focus. Between September 2022 and February 2023, five two-day training modules were held for 19 school principals in Sisak-Moslavina County, covering school management, communication, curriculum development, and inclusion. By April 2024, three more training modules were completed for principals in Međimurje County, with exceptionally high evaluation scores of 4.94, 5.00, and 4.94. Principals who attended at least 80% of the sessions received certification, and many later introduced new school policies inspired by the training. A specialized Academy for Principals in Međimurje County placed particular emphasis on mental health support for school leaders.
Forum also supported schools welcoming Ukrainian students through the "Schools of Unity" program, which involved 47 schools, 40 of them new to Forum programs. Nearly 2,000 Ukrainian students were enrolled in Croatian schools through this initiative. In collaboration with UNICEF Croatia, Forum also developed a gender-sensitive mental health program for young people.
To promote conflict resolution and mediation, several projects were launched. The "We Can Resolve It" project trained 34 school teams in Zagreb, Sisak-Moslavina, and Međimurje counties. Professional teams from 71 schools received training in mediation, conflict resolution, gender equality, inclusivity, and mental health, with student workshops reinforcing these skills. Additionally, the "Changing the World through Mediation" project introduced mediation training to 10 schools in Zagreb.
Strengthening parental collaboration was another priority. The "Together" project helped 22 schools organize thematic parent meetings, while 15 schools in Zagreb focused on enhancing cooperation between schools and parents. Gender equality was addressed through the "Box of Change" project, which engaged 20 primary schools, 15 of which were new to Forum initiatives. The "Rivers of Knowledge" project supported 10 schools in Duga Resa, and the "Start the Change!" project worked with five Croatian schools and 10 in Portugal and North Macedonia to improve student councils and youth participation.
Creative competitions encouraged civic engagement. The "Color the World" competition, centered on themes of tolerance and nonviolence, involved students from 128 schools. Meanwhile, over 50 schools participated in the "METAR: Snap a Photo, Share an Idea, Rhyme for a Better Climate" initiative, which raised awareness about climate change.
Forum played a key role in advancing civic education across Croatia, helping local governments adopt the "Rijeka Model" in cities such as Makarska, Vrbovec, and Križevci. The organization also contributed to the European Parliament’s "EU Parliament Ambassador Schools" project and published recommendations to improve equity in education. Through Erasmus+ projects, Forum developed free educational resources for Croatian schools on topics like legal literacy, financial literacy, and sustainable development.
To improve access to its educational programs, Forum has collaborated with Slobodna domena to develop a new digital platform, making it easier for educators and participants to register and engage in training opportunities. This interface was publicly launched in September 2024 and was expected to enhance the efficiency of Forum’s educational outreach.
Beyond schools, Forum worked to strengthen civil society and non-formal education. The SKOCKANO project developed a quality assurance system for civil society organizations (CSOs), helping them improve the quality of their educational programs. Forum also actively participated in the annual GOOD Initiative conference, advocating for greater youth participation in democratic processes.
Forum’s advocacy efforts extended to shaping education policy. The organization led the development of a Health Education Curriculum in Rijeka, took part in discussions on the All-Day School program, and worked to support refugee children in Croatian schools. It also played a key role in promoting peaceful dispute resolution, leading to the establishment of the Center for Peaceful Dispute Resolution.
Forum’s work has directly benefited a wide range of stakeholders:
Over 2,000 professionals, including teachers, school counselors, and principals, improved their personal, social, and civic competencies through interactive training programs.
More than 1,300 educational professionals gained expertise in preventive programs related to violence prevention, mental health, gender equality, and inclusive teaching.
More than 700 professionals enhanced their ability to teach civic education, focusing on political and legal literacy, EU values, and sustainability.
More than 200 young people developed a deeper awareness of sustainability, climate change, gender equality, and conflict resolution.
Over 8,000 children engaged in school-based workshops that strengthened their socio-emotional and civic competencies.
To enhance access to educational resources, Forum continues to provide materials on civic education, personal and social skills development, violence prevention, and mental health. Around 50 previously published resources remain freely available on the Forum’s website. Additionally, in collaboration with Slobodna domena, Forum developed an interactive digital platform for managing educational events. Currently in its test phase, the platform is set to launch in September 2024, simplifying participant registration and administrative processes.
Through the project implementation the Forum for Freedom of Education has made significant strides in promoting democratic, inclusive, and sustainable education in Croatia, directly benefiting educators, students, and civil society organizations. Through a combination of educational programs, advocacy efforts, and partnerships, Forum has strengthened civic education, enhanced the well-being of children and youth, and improved the capacity of professionals working in the education sector.
One of the key achievements has been the expansion of civic education, with the "Rijeka Model" being adopted in Makarska, Vrbovec, and Križevci. Forum played a crucial role in training teachers and advocating for policy changes, ensuring that students in these regions gained a deeper understanding of democratic values and active citizenship. Additionally, leadership programs for school principals in Međimurska County have contributed to improved school management, with a particular emphasis on mental health and teacher well-being.
Through collaboration with Erasmus+ projects, Forum has developed free educational resources on Legal Literacy, Financial Literacy, and Sustainable Development, making them accessible to schools across Croatia. This effort has supported over 10,000 users who have downloaded materials from Forum’s online library, facilitating more effective teaching in areas crucial to students'' personal and social development.
The well-being and active participation of children and young people have been a central focus. In partnership with 113 schools, Forum has trained professionals in psychosocial support and violence prevention, directly impacting over 8,000 children who have improved their socio-emotional and civic competencies. The "We Can Solve This" initiative introduced school mediation programs to help students develop conflict resolution skills. Meanwhile, the partnership with UNICEF Croatia led to the "Schools of Support" program, which provided mental health and socio-emotional learning resources, particularly benefiting Ukrainian students adapting to the Croatian education system. Additionally, projects such as "LET''S TALK" addressed gender-sensitive mental health support, while "BE-IN" focused on reducing early school dropout rates by strengthening school-community collaboration.
Forum’s impact extends beyond schools to strengthening civil society and democratic practices. The SKOCKANO project has enhanced the quality of non-formal education in civil society organizations, ensuring that professionals working in the field are better equipped to provide high-quality educational opportunities. Forum has also actively contributed to public consultations on key educational reforms, such as the Health Education Curriculum in Rijeka and discussions on the All-Day School program, advocating for more inclusive and developmentally appropriate policies.
Forum has been instrumental in raising awareness of EU democratic processes, developing educational materials on EU elections, and advocating for the rights of refugee children. A significant achievement has been the establishment of the Center for Peaceful Dispute Resolution, where Forum has taken a leading role in promoting non-violent conflict resolution practices.
Civil society organizations benefited from Forum’s mentoring and collaborative advocacy efforts, particularly through networks such as the Network of Education Policy Centers, CROSOL, and YES Forum.
Despite these achievements, Forum faced significant challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated internal restructuring and the adoption of flexible work arrangements. Financially, Forum experienced a 40% increase in revenue and expenses compared to 2021 but also faced risks due to inflation and rising public sector wages. The departure of key staff members required a redistribution of responsibilities, but Forum successfully recruited new professionals and strengthened its volunteering and internship programs, integrating young experts into its team.
Looking ahead, Forum is committed to sustaining its impact by expanding partnerships and focusing on sustainability, ecological justice, and active citizenship. The recently secured DEAR project "Ecoality," in collaboration with 15 international partners and the City of Zagreb, will provide high school students with opportunities to lead local ecological initiatives. Additionally, the organization is refining its strategic planning process for 2024, ensuring continued growth and effectiveness in fostering democratic values in education.
With continued support, including from the Active Citizens Fund (ACF), Forum aims further develop its educational programs, strengthen collaboration with civil society, and advocate for inclusive and sustainable educational policies. The progress made in the past period lays a strong foundation for ongoing efforts to equip educators, students, and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to create a more democratic and just society.