Croatian Youth Network

EU Legislative Interests

1. EU Youth Dialogue MMH played a leading role in implementing the EU Youth Dialogue in Croatia, a participatory process that enables young people to influence EU youth policy. Through national consultation cycles such CYN gathered input from a wide range of youth and ensures that Croatian perspectives contribute to defining EU Youth Goals. This process feeds into the Council of the EU’s Youth Working Party, impacting resolutions and recommendations related to youth participation, equality, employment, and mental health. CYN thus influences EU-level policymaking both directly: by delivering structured feedback and indirectly, by building capacity among local youth to engage in civic dialogue. CYN was the national coordinator for EUYD since 2013 when Croatia entered the EU. 2. EU Youth Strategy CYN aligns its work with the EU Youth Strategy, particularly in advancing the core areas of Engage, Connect, and Empower. It monitors national implementation of the strategy and calls for alignment between Croatian youth policies and EU goals such as inclusion, sustainability, innovation, and access to quality education. CYN regularly provides mini shadow reports and civil society inputs that assess the Croatian government's progress in implementing EU youth-related benchmarks and principles. As members of EU Youth Stakeholder Group we are part of consultation process regarding the creation of the new EU Youth Strategy 3. Youth Guarantee and Employment Initiatives One of CYN's core advocacy areas is the Youth Guarantee, a major EU initiative that aims to ensure all young people under 30 receive a good-quality offer of employment, education, apprenticeship, or training within four months of becoming unemployed. CYN critically examines how this policy is implemented in Croatia, focusing especially on marginalized groups such as youth from rural areas, Roma communities, and care leavers. It advocates for higher-quality offers, long-term employment pathways, and stronger monitoring and evaluation mechanisms tied to EU funding. 4. European Social Fund Plus and Erasmus+ As an active participant in EU-funded projects, CYN targets the programming and distribution of funds from ESF+ and Erasmus+ to prioritize youth inclusion, mobility, and democratic engagement. It works with national authorities to ensure that operational programs are transparent, participatory, and aligned with youth needs. CYN also acts as a watchdog, flagging inefficiencies and exclusions in fund allocation and advocating for community-led, bottom-up approaches to youth development supported by these funding streams. As members of the YFJ Funding Coordination Network we will participate in the consultation process regarding the new MFF. 5. Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights, and the Shrinking Civic Space CYN is increasingly involved in defending the democratic space for youth organizations in Croatia. It has publicly criticized national legislative changes, such as amendments to the Youth Councils Act that threaten independent youth representation. CYN has raised these concerns with EU institutions, arguing that such laws violate principles enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and contradict Council of Europe standards on youth participation. CYN works to ensure that the European Commission and other EU bodies are aware of and responsive to these domestic challenges, often cooperating with other civil society actors to advocate for the protection of civic freedoms. One of the ways is through EESC Youth Group where the Youth Test is being implemented which is one of the initiatives it hopes to implement on a national level in Croatia.

Communication Activities

The Croatian Youth Network (CYN) carries out a range of strategic communication activities designed to inform, mobilize, and engage young people and stakeholders around key EU policies affecting youth. These activities are aligned with CYN’s advocacy objectives and help translate complex EU processes into meaningful, accessible, and actionable initiatives for the national and local level. Below is an overview of CYN’s main communication activities across events, campaigns, and publications, each directly linked to specific EU policies. 1. EU Youth Dialogue: National Consultations & Awareness Campaigns CYN leaded communication efforts around the EU Youth Dialogue process in Croatia, ensuring young people are informed about their role in shaping EU youth policy. Through the “Šta te pita? / EU Asks” campaign, CYN regularly organized national consultations combining online surveys, local workshops, and public events to collect input from diverse youth. Social media campaigns using interactive formats to amplify youth voices and showcase how their input contributes to EU Youth Goals. Results are published in accessible reports and shared with policymakers at both national and EU levels. 2. Youth Guarantee Monitoring & Advocacy Events To engage the public in monitoring the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, CYN has developed both communication and accountability tools. Public forums and policy dialogues are organized in cooperation with youth centers and municipalities to discuss local experiences with employment programs funded by the EU. Advocacy infographics simplify findings from CYN’s independent monitoring and shed light on gaps in program delivery. CYN collaborates with media outlets to highlight stories of young people who have or have not benefited from the Guarantee, raising awareness and pushing for reform. 3. Campaigns on Youth Councils Act & Shrinking Civic Space In response to proposed changes to the Youth Councils Act, which CYN argues would centralize and limit youth participation, CYN launched a high-visibility advocacy campaign involving: a petition, collecting signatures of Parliament Members against the proposed law. A series of open letters and press conferences targeting national level officials. A coordinated social media storm under the hashtag #ZakonMoraPasti (#TheLawHasToFall), engaging youth, CSOs, and international partners in defending democratic participation. CYN also held an emergency assembly and roundtable with youth representatives, experts, and EPLO to draw public attention and mobilize EU solidarity. 4. Erasmus+ & ESF+ Visibility and Engagement As a frequent implementer of Erasmus+ projects, CYN integrates communication plans into all funded activities. These include digital toolkits and how-to guides (in Croatian) on how to apply for and lead youth projects under EU programs. Public exhibitions and photo installations in collaboration with youth centers, celebrating the impact of EU-funded project during #ErasmusDays. CYN also engages in capacity-building webinars for smaller youth NGOs to access EU funds, demystifying complex EU procedures. 5. Publications & Shadow Reports CYN regularly publishes accessible reports and research linked to EU legislative and policy frameworks like thematic reports (e.g., on the Youth Guarantee or EU Youth Strategy alignment) outlining recommendations for national and EU decision-makers, position papers that represent the collective voice of CYN on relevant legislative proposal and so on. 6. Collaborations and International Campaigns CYN also takes part in Europe-wide campaigns organized by the European Youth Forum and other networks, helping Croatian youth connect with broader EU advocacy movements. This includes participation in: "Vote16" campaigns during EU elections, "More Erasmus = More Europe" campaign during the new MFF creation process and others.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

EU level: European Youth Forum EU Youth Stakeholder Group President's Youth Advisory Board EESC Youth Group Steering Group on the European Youth Work Agenda Danube Youth Organisations Network National level: Operation City Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity Council for Civil Society Development GOOD Initiative Council for Youth Development of the Government of the Republic of Croatia

Organisation Members

https://mmh.hr/clanstvo