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Description
In Croatia, the capacity to monitor and adjust the development of social policies aimed at an innovative welfare state and new social risks with a recognizable role of civil society organizations is limited. Meeting the social needs of an increasing number of citizens depends on civil society organizations. This problem is especially acute in the great economic crisis that follows the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil society organizations often ask political authorities to put on the agenda the issues and interests they stand for and ask for funds from public sources to solve social problems and realize those interests. Associations represent a wide range of interests, from those related to the functioning of government to those related to the personal needs of citizens.
The general public and relevant stakeholders are not sufficiently familiar with the concepts of the European Pillar of Social Rights and The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, so the overall goal of our project is to acquaint the interested public and relevant stakeholders in different geographical regions and empower them to implement and monitor its principles so they can influence on the europeanization and modernization of social policy and improve the quality of life in local communities and in the wider area of the Republic of Croatia. Also, as civil society organizations often have reduced human capacity and the necessary knowledge, we believe that with this project we can strengthen the analytical and advocacy capacity of CSOs and other stakeholders to monitor and implement ESSP at the national and local level.
Summary of project results
The project was designed to address several important challenges in Croatian social policy. It was found that Croatia’s social system has struggled with modernizing and aligning with EU standards. Research revealed a big gap in knowledge and resources among local officials and organizations, leading to fragmented and uneven social services, especially in less developed areas where local authorities often don’t provide necessary support for vulnerable groups.
Another key goal of the project was to improve how social policies are monitored and adapted to new challenges, especially as civil society organizations (CSOs) have become increasingly crucial in meeting social needs. This became even more pressing during the economic difficulties worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent conflicts. There was a need to better understand and implement the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and its Action Plan, which many stakeholders were not familiar with.
To tackle these issues, the project aimed to boost the advocacy skills of CSO representatives through training, meetings, and expert panels. This focus was on less developed regions like Sisak-Moslavina and Krapina-Zagorje Counties to help integrate EPSR principles into Croatian laws. The project also planned to create a new method for tracking the implementation of social rights across the country.
Additionally, the project sought to spread knowledge about social policies through various means such as panels, regional training, and conferences. A key part of this effort was producing a public document on the state of social policy in Croatia and conducting research to show how well the EPSR is being applied.
The project also targeted major issues like homelessness and affordable housing, which are important both in Croatia and across the EU. It aimed to develop a guide based on the EPSR’s 19th principle and incorporate successful practices from Norway’s "Housing First" model. By bringing together experts and international experience, the project hoped to improve discussions and solutions for vulnerable groups, particularly the homeless.
The project aimed to strengthen the ability of civil society organizations and other stakeholders to keep track of and promote the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) in Croatia.
To reach this goal, the project worked on several fronts. It sought to influence how public policies related to the EPSR are created and implemented at both the national and local levels. This involved developing a detailed method for monitoring how well the EPSR is being put into practice. The method used a mix of data sources. It looked at European and Croatian policies and laws to figure out what information was needed to measure the EPSR principles. It also collected and reviewed data from various sources over the past decade. The results were shared publicly on CERANEO’s website, providing a valuable tool for ongoing advocacy and monitoring efforts. The project also created a mailing list to keep relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, national institutions, and the media, updated on progress.
A key outcome was an updated profile of Croatia''s social landscape, including a revised set of indicators that track the EPSR. This tool allowed for comparisons with other EU countries and was made available in Croatian on CERANEO’s website. The profile was designed to address issues like affordable housing in Croatia and included suggested strategies and measures to address this challenge. The project aimed to raise public awareness and potentially influence policy changes.
Empirical research with social policy experts was another important aspect of the project. This research gathered views on the EPSR from various stakeholders and was used to enhance the Croatian social state profile. The findings were presented at a kickoff conference in Zagreb, where the new monitoring method, social indicators, and the profile were showcased. The conference included discussions on how the EPSR could be applied in Croatia and provided a platform for sharing important insights.
Support for local organizations was also a key focus. Regional meetings helped assess their needs and capabilities. Training was provided to experts from these organizations on how to use the EPSR monitoring method effectively. This included updating social media and web platforms, consulting with other organizations, and building connections with local stakeholders. Reports were created based on these consultations to provide detailed insights into how the EPSR principles were being implemented across different regions.
The project also organized regional training sessions to enhance local stakeholders'' knowledge and advocacy skills related to the EPSR and other EU policies. These sessions covered the Croatian social state profile, social indicators, and best practices, and helped facilitate networking among civil society groups. Local media were informed about the project''s results and the importance of the EPSR.
Finally, a concluding conference was held to present the project’s findings and discuss the challenges of implementing the EPSR Action Plan in Croatia. The event featured expert presentations and panel discussions on various EPSR principles and local-level challenges, offering a valuable opportunity for sharing knowledge and fostering discussions about EPSR implementation across Croatia.
The project achieved several significant outcomes, primarily benefiting civil society organizations and other stakeholders across four counties in Croatia.
The project made a notable impact by strengthening the advocacy and implementation capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs) across four Croatian counties: Krapina-Zagorje, Sisak-Moslavina, Split-Dalmatia, and Zagreb. It also extended its influence to other stakeholders through regional training sessions. By providing comprehensive training on the European Social Pillar (ESP) and related methodologies, the project empowered the involved organizations to better understand and advocate for social policies. Participants, including those from local communities, disseminated this knowledge to their colleagues, raising awareness about the integration of EU documents into Croatian legislation and enhancing their advocacy skills.
Youth engagement saw a boost through the Network of NGOs ZAGOR in Zabok, which encouraged young people to participate more actively in public debates and monitor youth rights. Similarly, the Agency for Local Democracy in Sisak gained valuable insights into local needs and the importance of public discussions, improving their ability to advocate based on concrete data.
For organizations like the partner organization Association "MI", which focuses on elderly care, the project provided new ideas and activities to improve elderly rights and long-term care. The Croatian Network for Homelessness benefited from international collaboration, learning about the "Housing First" model from Norwegian experts, which informed their advocacy for housing rights.
The project also enhanced the visibility of partner organizations and contributed to the professional development of their staff, including skills in media representation and organizational processes. Collaboration with Norwegian partners brought valuable insights into homelessness legislation and practices, offering new ideas for implementation in Croatia.
Furthermore, the project advanced international human rights standards and supported vulnerable groups. Partner organizations contributed feedback on a manual for integrating vulnerable groups, particularly those experiencing housing exclusion, and participated in panel discussions on housing issues.
Additionally, the project mobilized citizen engagement by involving volunteers in transcribing interviews with key experts to gain insights into stakeholders'' perceptions of the ESP.
Capacity building for civil society organizations was further supported through training in social and digital competencies, public policy monitoring and evaluation, and website improvements. The development of a strategic plan for CERANEO for 2024-2027 and the acquisition of technical equipment, such as a printer, also contributed to organizational growth. Finally, the project supported the expansion of outreach efforts by educating employees, stakeholders, and volunteers in effective public communication and advocacy skills, particularly concerning the rights of vulnerable groups as outlined in the ESP principles.
Summary of bilateral results
The project greatly benefited from having Norwegian Social Research (NOVA) as a donor partner. Their expertise, particularly in addressing homelessness and affordable housing, along with their insights into Norwegian legal norms, provided valuable knowledge and perspectives. This collaboration allowed the project to apply innovative solutions and better understand legal frameworks in tackling housing issues.One of the key outcomes from the bilateral partnership was the participation of a Norwegian expert in a panel discussion. During this event, innovative housing solutions and relevant regulations were shared, highlighting practical examples from Norway. The project also strengthened bilateral relations by fostering cooperation between NOVA and CERANEO, a Croatian civil society organization specializing in housing policy. This exchange of knowledge and practices between the two organizations promoted open dialogue and enhanced understanding of various housing solutions.The donor partner played a crucial role in two main activities: participating in the expert panel and contributing examples of innovative housing solutions for vulnerable groups in Norway, which were later incorporated into a manual. Moving forward, the plan is to build on the results achieved in this project and continue the bilateral collaboration. Both NOVA and CERANEO aim to work on further research activities related to housing and innovative approaches. If the opportunity arises, the intention is to maintain and expand this successful partnership in future projects focusing on similar topics.