Croatia

There is little absolute poverty in Croatia; however, there are large wealth disparities and social exclusions between the war-affected rural areas and commercial centers. Most recent reports show that 11% of the population lives beneath the poverty line. The poverty that exists in Croatia is deep-seated, long-term, and little alleviated by a largely ineffective social protection safety net. Poverty is extensive and devastating especially in areas not under the control of the Croatian government during the war and Eastern Slovenia, which returned to Croatian control in 1998. It is estimated that those living in these areas are three times as poor as the national average. Roma are among the poorest demographic in the country, who account for about 14% of all claimants of social aid in Croatia.

Unemployment rates in Croatia are steadily increasing. This increase has been most dramatic amongst young people.

The Croatian government has been unable to prosecute effectively those accused of war crimes, especially in the domestic courts. Human Rights Watch found trials to suffer from “ethnic bias on the part of judges and prosecutors, poor case preparation by prosecutors, inadequate cooperation by the police in the conduct of investigations, poor interstate cooperation on judicial matters, and ineffective witness protection mechanisms.” The Croatian courts have failed to properly try cases against ethnic Serbs, whereas a disproportionate number of cases have been brought against the ethnic Serb minority, often on far weaker charges than those against ethnic Croats. Ethnic Serbs have frequently been found guilty in cases where the evidence did not support the allegations—often on charges such as the theft of bedclothes, plates, or an alarm clock. The inability to try war crime cases fairly has impeded the return of Serb refugees to Croatia.

Tens of thousands of war refugees have been unable to return to the country. Of the 9,000 that did return, only 60% remained in the country. Returning refugees suffer from the loss of pre-war tenancy rights, often on the grounds of unfair legal proceedings held in their absence. Despite the government’s promise to provide social housing to refugees, in practice it has failed to offer redress for the loss of legal rights as tenancy holders. Continued discrimination against Serbs and Romas remains the underlying trend.

The Croatian Government Commission on Missing Persons is still searching for the reported 1,200 missing or “disappeared” persons after the war, while those responsible remain unidentified.

The human trafficking of women in and out of the country is a growing problem. Croatia serves mainly as a transit country. The victims of this crime are often refugees, displaced minorities, or young women trafficked to and from other parts of Europe for the purpose of forced prostitution. The government, with its growing awareness, has responded positively, if not so effectively. Training in police awareness along the country’s borders have improved, in order to make them more able to identify women trafficked into the country. The Croatian government has begun to offer support services, and along with local NGOs, various shelters and hotlines.

Domestic violence against women is pervasive, but not often formerly acknowledged. The increasing problem is attributed to alcohol abuse, psychological ramifications of war, and the result of economic circumstances. NGOs claim that the majority of these cases remain unvoiced and untried.

Croatia has a relatively low HIV/AIDs rater, less than 0.1%. The average life expectancy at birth is about 75 years.

Air pollution (from metallurgical plant emissions) and deforestation are inland environmental problems. In 1996, industrial carbon dioxide emissions totaled 17.5 million metric tons.

Coastal water systems have been damaged by industrial and domestic waste.

All of Croatia's urban dwellers have access to safe drinking water. Environmental management is becoming more decentralized, thereby empowering city and municipal administrations to determine environmental policy.

Ten percent of government spending goes towards education, 98% of adults and 99.6% of children are literate. However, despite positive statistics concerning education, the Croatian educational system is still very much politicized, with pervasive ethnic biases. Recent history is not taught, and many rising social problems are “solved” through changes in the school system.

Croatia does have a relatively developed system for minority schooling; separate primary and summer schools are established for various ethnic minority groups. Nevertheless, this does not solve educational discrepancies along ethnic lines. For example, while 94% of children continue on to secondary school, only 10% of Roma children continue to the age of 18. This is partly due to a lack of parental support, but is also largely attributed to discrimination in combined school systems.

The school system in Croatia is flawed in various respects, but change is underway, albeit slowly. Croatia’s desire to enter the European Union will necessarily bring about changes in the political decision-making process, and perhaps thus free school systems from politicization and bureaucratic pressure.

Coalition for Work With Psychotrauma and Peace - The mission statement of CWWPP is to establish transformation and prevention of violent conflict through direct, bottom-up work with people.

Croatian Institute for Local Government - Strengthening capacity of local government through education projects, research and publications and by providing legal assistance in reforms and management concerned with local government and decentralization with the overall aim of bringing government closer to its citizens.

Suncokret Center for Community Development - Located in Gvozd, we are a Croatian non-governmental, non-profit organization founded as a response to the psychosocial needs of community in the after-war period. It aims to address negative psychological, social and cultural consequences of the social upheavals in the region, to reduce national/ethnic tensions, to improve the quality of life for all, but especially for deprived members of the society, to promote community rebuilding, reconciliation and revitalization, and support development of a sustainable and tolerant civic society.

Board of European Students of Technology, Zagreb - BEST is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that strives to help European students of technology to become more internationally minded, by reaching a better understanding of European cultures and developing capacities to work on an international basis.

Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals and Plants - PCAP is involved in animal welfare, anti-globalization issues, sustainable agriculture, afforestation, clean energies and community building.

IDEA Lab - Our mission is to promote and preserve natural beauty and cultural heritage of Croatia by using innovative and creative approaches and attitudes.

Centre for Peace, Non-violence and Human Rights - Our main working principle is to promote and implement peace and community development, supporting the peace process in Baranja, Eastern Slovenia, Western Slovenia and Western Sirmium. Centre for Peace is built upon programmes of peace education, psychosocial support and human rights protection and works on activities which support and promote non-violence, communication, the realization of human rights and programmes which work towards the positive and broad realization of peace in war-torn communities.

The Croatian Youth Council of Croatia - The Croatian Youth Council is the umbrella organization of Youth NGO's in Croatia. Currently there are 45 member NGO's with over 220.000 members. CYC has several departments and centers working on different issues. Currently there is Department for youth health, Center for publishing and culture, Center for informatics and Department for sports.

Krila Therapeutic Horseback Riding: Zagreb, Croatia - To heal, give hope and new opportunities to the disabled through the magical therapy of a moving horse.

Coalition for Work With Psychotrauma and Peace - The mission of the CWWPP is transformation and prevention of violent conflict through direct, bottom-up work with people.

Summer camp volunteers - We are looking for a group of enthusiastic volunteers to volunteer at our annual summer camps for children from Bosnia. Volunteers are asked to supervise children and organise daily activities such as sports, arts and crafts, drama, music and event such as treasure hunts and performances during the 10-day camp.

Student World Assembly - is looking for volunteers with a strong interest in Global Democracy and Human Rights to research schools in their area and recruit members for the organization.