The National Foundation for Civil Society Development, established in 2003 as a public foundation under a special law adopted by the Croatian Parliament, continuously provides expert and financial support for the development of civil society in the Republic of Croatia. At a crucial, transitional period for the development of civil society in Croatia, when there was a shift in the structure of funding sources for projects and programs of civil society organizations with the departure of many international donors, the National Foundation succeeded in halting potential negative trends and stabilizing the further development of civil society organizations through its actions and the financial support program.
By ensuring stable funding, especially through institutional support, it enables the sustainability, professionalization, and strategic development of civil society organizations working in the areas of democratization, human rights, and social development. This type of support, which the National Foundation has systematically provided to civil society organizations since its founding, is in line with the recommendations of the document "Common Civil Society Requests for Operating Grants (OGs)", which highlights the importance of institutional funding for strengthening democracy and the long-term sustainability of civil society at the European Union level. It is a joint initiative of the civil society network addressed to the European Commission, which you can read more about at the following link: link.
In this context, the National Foundation has started implementing an analysis of the effects of institutional support on the work and development of organizations that are beneficiaries of this funding model. The goal of the analysis is to assess how institutional support contributes to strengthening organizational capacity and creating an encouraging environment for positive social change and the protection of fundamental human rights.
Institutional support represents one of the key financial instruments, primarily aimed at securing the basic conditions for the operation of organizations, such as investment in human resources and ensuring organizational development, which distinguishes this support from other forms of funding for civil society organizations in Croatia that are focused on financing individual projects. This form of financing allows organizations to plan long-term and ensures stable development of activities aimed at improving community and societal well-being.
The activities that organizations can focus on thanks to institutional support have concrete and measurable indicators of effectiveness. Although many organizations are not always able to sufficiently present their work to the wider public, their achievements speak for themselves – through the development of local communities, the protection of human rights, the building of social solidarity, and the promotion of democratic values.
Since its inception, the National Foundation has carried out more than a hundred calls for proposals, with a significant number focused specifically on providing institutional support, and over €65,615,000 has been invested in organizational growth and development in this way. Currently, 194 organizations operating in the field of democratization and social development are benefiting from this type of support. Of this number, 66 organizations are in the first year, 66 in the second, and 62 in the third year of support implementation.
Civil society organizations operating in the fields of democratization and social development promote fundamental democratic values such as freedom of expression, equality, active citizenship, and citizen inclusion in decision-making processes. They pay special attention to advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups, including youth, women, and migrants, and building a society of equal opportunities for all. The National Foundation recognizes the crucial importance of stability and long-term operation of these organizations, and therefore invests in their development through institutional support, providing them with the foundation for continuing and expanding their activities.
A significant portion of the organizations' activities is focused on implementing campaigns to protect the rights of youth and women. They actively advocate for their fundamental rights and raise awareness about important, yet often neglected, issues that directly impact the quality of their lives. They do not only operate through providing support and education, but also serve as a strong voice in public. An example of such activity is organizing a symposium on women's sexual health after a cancer diagnosis. Through such initiatives, organizations contribute to the destigmatization of the disease and empower women to take an active role in maintaining and improving their own health.
Some organizations are introducing innovative approaches to increase the visibility of marginalized citizens. One example is forum theatre – an approach that draws attention to social barriers and injustices through dramatization and public dialogue. These approaches encourage both participants and the audience to think critically, show empathy, and actively participate in changing the social environment. As part of advocating for the rights of youth and empowering them, various activities such as training sessions and workshops are held, bringing together young leaders from different sectors. Through working together, they develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills, network with each other, and strengthen their ability to advocate for positive social change. In this way, they are recognized and positioned as key stakeholders in the development of their communities.
Education of citizens on key social issues is one of the important areas of action for these organizations, with a special emphasis on working with youth. Through educational programs in schools, young people are introduced to the potential risks of digital communication and acquire knowledge on privacy protection and safe behavior online. In addition, organizations also run STEM workshops aimed at developing digital literacy among children. This not only improves technical skills but also encourages critical thinking and responsible use of technology, thus contributing significantly to strengthening digital and technical literacy among children and youth.
In the area of public health, organizations actively promote healthy lifestyles, physical activity, mental health, and proper nutrition. Through consistent and expert work, they become key partners in national health promotion initiatives, encouraging citizens to make tangible changes in their life habits and actively care for their health.
In the area of work with migrants and refugees, these organizations provide psychosocial support and assist children and families, creating a safe and supportive space for successful integration into the community.
Civil society organizations are increasingly applying innovative forms of work to bring decision-making processes closer to citizens and encourage greater transparency and accountability of public institutions. One such model is structured dialogue, which enables direct and constructive communication between citizens and decision-makers. In this way, trust in democratic processes is strengthened and citizens are encouraged to actively participate in shaping public policies. These activities, in which citizens have the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions, and actively participate in an open debate with representatives of public administration, significantly contribute to greater transparency and accountability of local institutions. To bring this important topic closer to younger generations, meetings and idea exchanges are organized between students and local authorities, with a special focus on developing cultural policies for youth. In this way, their involvement in decision-making processes is encouraged, and a sense of civic responsibility and community belonging is fostered.
