​​​​​Active in the community

Based on the provisions of the Action Strategy of the National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society and the Decision of the Board of Directors of the National Foundation from September 22, 2017, the National Foundation has entered into an agreement with 4 Collaborating Foundations (in Split, Zagreb, Osijek and Pula) on programmatic cooperation in the field of support for civil society organizations society and local communities through the "Active in the Community" Program.

The program involves the implementation of activities in local communities with the aim of developing social capital, the culture of giving for general purposes and the implementation of social programs in local communities.

The National Foundation, in cooperation with each Collaborative Foundation, ensures the uniformity and completeness of the Program throughout the Republic of Croatia, so that the same types of activities are carried out in all counties, i.e. local communities involved.

Collaborating foundations develop activities in the field of:

• development of social capital in local communities in the area of the region (several neighboring counties) in which they operate

• development of the culture of giving for general purposes in local communities

• implementation of social programs in local communities.

Links to the foundation's website:

• Regional foundation for local development "ZAMAH", Zagreb

• Kajo Dadić Foundation, Split

• Foundation for encouraging partnership and development of civil society, Pula

• "Slagalica" - Foundation for Local Community Development, Osijek

Regional development of civil society

The National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society has, in previous periods, through a partnership with 5 regional networks of specialized civil society organizations since 2007 implemented the Program of Regional Development and Capacity Building of Civil Society Organizations and other legal entities in the area of Dalmatia, Central Croatia, Northwestern Croatia , western and eastern Croatia. By providing systematic support in the field of information, counseling and training at the local and regional levels, the National Foundation contributes to the uniformity of regional development and the capabilities of civil society organizations and civic initiatives.

With the signing of the new Partnership Agreement in 2013, the implementation of an improved support system under the new name: Program for the Regional Development of Civil Society and Local Communities in the Republic of Croatia begins. The aim of the Program was to improve the infrastructure for harmonizing the regional development of civil society, the development of active citizenship and social capital in local communities, and preparation for the use of funds from the European Union (IPA IV component and the European Social Fund). In the new model of capillary distribution of the Program, effective Regional Networks composed of Regional Support Centers and related county cooperative organizations were included.

Currently, the Regional Development Program, starting from January 1, 2018, continues in a somewhat reduced scope and changed form, without county cooperative organizations.

The regional development program includes the implementation of the services of 5 cooperating organizations from Osijek, Split, Zagreb, Rijeka and Čakovec, which strengthen the capabilities of civil society organizations in cooperation with the central support units and regional branches of the National Foundation.

Collaborating organizations in the implementation of the Regional Development Program have provided:

a) Direct services that include providing training on the following topics:

• Project cycle management and needs assessment in the local community
• Volunteer management
• Quality system in civil society organizations with examples of effective management models
• Ensuring quality implementation of projects financed from public sources
• Innovative fundraising models for the activities of civil society organizations
• Advocacy models for positive changes in local communities
• Models of citizen involvement in the work of civil society organizations
• How to create a strategic and operational plan of a civil society organization
• Development of social capital in the local community and models of partnership/cooperation of civil society organizations in the community
• Models of internal and external evaluation of activities/programs of civil society organizations

b) Indirect activities in the form of implementing direct activities in the form of implementing support programs for the development of civil society organizations involved in the development of local communities in the county or region (several neighboring counties) through various forms and methods of consulting and informing interested organizations.

All activities are carried out through coordination and cooperation with the Development Office and the central unit and regional branches of the National Foundation in the implementation of Regional Development Program services.

Links to websites of cooperating organizations:

• Center for Civil Initiatives, Zagreb

• ACT group, Čakovec

• SMART - Association for the Development of Civil Society, Rijeka

• Association Mi, Split

• Dkolektiv - organization for social development, Osijek