MOBILIZATION OF RURAL POPULATION IN CROATIA HMRR-Croatian Rural Development Network

NETWORK MEMBERS

HMRR VISION Balanced development of Croatia, in which inhabitants of rural areas contribute through their social and economic activities and take active part in care, preservation and protection of the areas where they live.

CROATIAN BACKGROUND Population: 4,437,460 44,4 % rural population 55,6 % urban populatin

91.6% of Croatian territory is classified as a rural area 8.4% as an urban area,

 88.7% of villages located in rural areas and 11.3% in urban areas with 35% of the population in 14 cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants,

 47.6% of the total population lives in rural areas, and 52.4% of the population in urban areas. OECD criteria presents Croatia with a high degree of rurality. OEDC ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

CONNECTION BETWEEN RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT large number of small farms, non-commercial, not market- oriented products for their own purposes,  insufficiently developed rural infrastructure (transport, water supply, sewerage  insufficiently defined rural area development strategy with clear priorities,  insufficiently developed system of continuing adult education in agriculture (lifelong learning),  lack of organization of farmers and connections to other important subjects relevant to rural development,  negative demographic trends in rural areas.

OBJECTIVES To increase understanding of LEADER approach in rural areas To influence cooperation of all three sectors in rural areas by registration of LAGs To develop methods of community development in mobilization of rural population To influence employment and self- employment opportunities

METHODS (community development Community analysis (hard and soft data) Seek for specific issues and problems Creation of a working group (20-40 people) – consist of stakeholders Assessment of needs by the WG Project planning and fund-raising Members of HMRR apply for funding- partners in rural communities

Examples of projects Rebuilding of community centers Lobbying for medical clinics and equipping them Building children playgrounds Education of adults in eco-agriculture, bokkkeeping, rural tourism, computer literacy,foreign languages New productions Facilitation of links producers-market

Examples of projects OCDes create self-financing activities and employ new people Regional strategies created by LAGs Municipalities create better environment for entrepreneurs, new businesses arrive

Results to be achieved Increased population in rural areas Rural population get self-employment in rural tourism and/or small enterprises Regional approach to rural development Protection of the most unpopulated areas Innovative approaches to benefit busineses in rural areas

Plus and Minus in this GP ++++ LEADER approach Women and youth involved Cooperation with authorities Opening opportunities for employments and self-employments Slow process Lack of educated population National bodies do not follow regional and local events Lack of community spirit and entrepreneurship spirit

Conclusions Croatia – rural country 50+ people low educated in rural ar. Low level of knowleadge about LEADER Lack of links within the country and outside HMRR gathers 15 organizations – not enough Members strive towards sustainability Dissemination of information ?? on various levels Lack of educated staff of OCDes

Croatian Rural Development Network Thank you for your attention Contacts: Višnja Jelić Muck Mirela Despotović