Signature Ceremony of Grant Agreements under the Call for Proposals entitled “Support for Programmes Focusing on Youth” Held at the Ministry of Demographics

The grant agreements signature ceremony for seventeen applicants who successfully completed the granting process in the framework of the “Support for Programmes Focusing on Youth” Call for proposals was held on Friday, 18 May 2018 at the Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy.

The total value of these agreements amounts to HRK 11,647,854.51, with a 100 % funding rate of eligible costs.

The Call is being conducted in the framework of the Operational Programme Efficient Human Resources with the goal of fostering equal opportunities, active engagement and employability improvement. In addition, it represents one in a series of measures and activities implemented by the Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy with the goal of strengthening demographic policy and revitalization.

The Minister of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy Nada Murganić, the Minister of Minister of Labour and the Pension System Marko Pavić, Ministers of State at the Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy Marija Pletikosa and Margareta Mađerić, Minister of State at the Ministry of Labour and the Pension System Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Assistant to the Minister at the Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy Nada Zrinušić, Head Secretary of the Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy Vedrana Stecca, the Mayor of Pakrac Anamarija Blažević, the Deputy Mayor of Zagreb Jelena Pavičić Vukičević and the Head of the Foundation for Civil Society Development Cvjetana Plavša Matić attended the grant agreements signature ceremony.

The Minister of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy Nada Murganić welcomed the creativity and imaginativeness of the submitted projects, as well as the ambition of young people to actively partake in social activities.

“I am extremely pleased to see that there is such a big number of interested young people that support and recognize the values of these projects”, said Minister Murganić and congratulated the signatories on the successful implementation of activities.

“It is a pleasure to be here today, on the occasion of signing 17 agreements for the financing of clubs, youth centers, the building of own hubs, networks and structures which most definitely have the potential to be incubators of ideas and initiatives”, said Minister of Labour and the Pension System Marko Pavić and emphasized that the Government focuses on young people in its work, which is visible from jointly implemented tenders and programmes.

The importance of this Call and the signing of the agreements was also emphasized by the Head of the Foundation for Civil Society Development Cvjetana Plavša Matić.

“The launched tender in connection with young people and their engagement in local communities is of immense importance due to the fact that the vitality of every society depends on active young people who are able to offer their contribution to the community and society and who generally do contribute not only when it comes to social change, but also when it comes to the new frameworks of the economy in which we live”, said Plavša Matić and wished the signatories luck in the future implementation of the projects.

Project activities are divided into two groups within this Call: the first group comprises activities that focus on working with young people, while the second one comprises activities connected with the establishment and operation of youth centers.

Eligible applicants under the Call are civil society organizations, federations, communities, networks, coordinations or any other forms of association of civil society organizations, as well as units of local and regional self-government. Target groups under this Call comprise young people from 15 to 29 years of age and experts working with young people.

Project implementation is planned to last 12 – 24 months.

The purpose of the projects is to enhance the social inclusion of young people, foster quality spending of free time and improve their awareness and active engagement in society, as well as offer counseling services on relevant subjects, enhance the development of their social skills and competences that contribute to labor market competitiveness and work on the prevention of violence among youth.