The Citizens’ Association “C.E.Z.A.R.”, as a resource organization for youth in the municipality of Srbac and a contact point for all volunteering organizers and volunteers, with the support of PRAGG, has initiated the process of creating a new Youth Policy of the Municipality of Srbac.

A large part of the Association’s activities is directed towards developing youth activism and volunteerism, and many projects are implemented with the same or similar goal – to increase the level of youth engagement.

The campaign entitled “Your Voice – Your Future: Take Part in Creating the New Youth Policy of the Municipality of Srbac” aims to develop a Youth Policy – a strategic document that will reflect the real needs and aspirations of young people. Once adopted, this document will provide more concrete measures of support for youth in areas such as education, employment, culture, health, volunteering, and much more.

The first step in this process is a survey as a key tool for collecting opinions and feedback from young people, because without real data and youth voices, there can be no effective youth policy! Young people emphasize the need for greater environmental awareness and more initiatives that protect nature and raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection. They also call for programs targeting occupations in shortage, as well as tangible economic measures such as paid internships and temporary employment through youth cooperatives.

Following a series of meetings with stakeholders and representatives of the local government, a draft analysis of the situation and the needs of young people in Srbac was prepared. At the beginning of August, the draft document was submitted to the Municipality of Srbac for further input and revision.

“The last youth policy in Srbac was adopted in 2012 – and it has never been renewed since. Many young people are leaving our municipality due to the lack of opportunities, jobs, support, and a sense of belonging. We are making efforts to educate young people, to give them opportunities and challenges; we marked International Youth Day and plan to celebrate Civic Participation Week in September. With the support of young activists and experts, our Association has already formed a working group that meets regularly and is actively working on drafting the new youth policy,” said Tanja Šnjegota, Executive Director of Cezar.
In the upcoming period, Cezar, together with other civil society organizations, will submit an initiative to the Municipality of Srbac to adopt the Youth Policy as a strategic document for improving the position of young people in the local community. The youth of Srbac want to be part of the solution, but they need support – from the community, institutions, and decision-makers. According to the Association, the municipal mayor and councilors of the Municipal Assembly of Srbac have already given their initial support for adopting this document.

Cezar calls on all young people to get involved and to contribute with constructive proposals and ideas towards building a better environment, under the motto: “Be part of the story that changes things for the better – together we build a future where young people have their place.”