Program of Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Non-Government ? Non-For-Profit Sector

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PROGRAM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
CROATIA AND THE NON -GOVERNMENT – NON -FOR -PROFIT SECTOR IN THE
REPUBLIC OF CROATIA WAS ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF CROATIA AT ITS SEATING ON JANUARY 4, 2001

GOVERNMEN T OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
OFFICE FOR COOPERATION WITH NGOs

PROGRAM OF COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
AND THE NON -GOVERNMENT – NON -FOR -PROFIT SECTOR
IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

December 2000

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PROGRAM OF COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
AND THE NON -GOVERNMENT – NON -FOR -PROFIT SECTOR
IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

I. FOREWORD

Shaping Croatia into a modern nation has been greatly helped by the endeavor of civic
initiatives and various associations of citizens. Consequently, in the second half of the 19 th
century and at the beginning of the 20 th century numerous national institutions that live up to
this day were established. That was also the time when a number o f foundations were
instituted. It is clearly so that a part of wealthier and more educated citizens nurtured the
virtue of caring for the problems in the community and of giving for the public benefit.

It is necessary to emphasize that the modern civil so ciety developing in Croatia in the last
decade recognizes a variety of volunteer, non -governmental, non -for -profit organizations
such are associations, social movements, church organizations, unions, local communities,
foundations, interest groups and civi c initiatives.

Bearing in mind the significance of highly valuable objectives of the civic initiatives for the
public benefit, the Croatian Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs launched the
initiative for the making of the Program of Cooperation b etween the Government of the
Republic of Croatia and the non -government – non -for -profit sector in the Republic of
Croatia, whose focal point would be a human in the family, community and society.

The invitation to cooperate on the making of the Program w as sent to almost 16.000 NGOs
registered in the Republic of Croatia in order to join forces and create a new framework for
the development of civil society in Croatia as well as to enhance democratization and
modernization of the society as a whole.

This Program of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the
non -government – non -for -profit sector in the Republic of Croatia is the result of a joint effort
that lasted for many months.

II. A JOINT INTRODUCTION BY ALL GROUPS WORKING ON T HE PROGRAM

Government of the Republic of Croatia (hereafter: Government) accepts pluralism as the
main principle in creating a society that gives its citizens a legitimate right to shape and
advocate different interests and needs of its members through va rious forms of organizations
and free associations. Non -governmental, non -for -profit sector (hereafter: Sector) is a space
in which civic initiatives gather and develop social, human potential and are an integral
element of the social and political system and a preferable way of democratizing the relations
in the public, political and economic life of a community.

Program of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the non –
government – non -for -profit sector in the Republic of Cro atia (hereafter: Program) is based
on common values of modern democracy and the values of civic initiatives founded on social
changes, cooperation, solidarity, social justice, transparency, personal ability and
responsibility, decision making participation , consideration for personality, self -organizing,
consideration for organizational diversity and continuous learning, and is aimed to creating
effective mechanisms that will enhance the communication between the Government and the
Sector.

He Government an d the Sector have different roles and responsibilities in solving problems
and developing the community in its whole. Thus they will base their relations on partnership,
transparent arrangements, mutual informing and observing the Program.

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The Government, aware of its own limitations when asked to meet the social needs of its
citizens, calls upon non -governmental, non -for -profit organizations to participate in defining of
the public needs, and by so doing carries a part of its affairs over to the Sector an d up to a
point provides financial means for their implementation.

These new accents in the relation of the State towards the third sector show that the
administration has recognized highly valuable abilities of its citizens and their associations.
Their work is not an alternative to the Government, local administration bodies and state
administration units. On the contrary; continuous and distinct interest of the State for non –
governmental organizations and civic associations will provide a long -term stab ility of the
democratic order, unburden the State in some fields and reduce its expenses. Such a partner
relationship will increase the idea of co -responsibility of the administration and the citizens for
the development and advancement of the community an d the circumstances in which we
live.

With the deliberation of new legal frames in favor of the Sector, especially the Law on
Associations, Law on Foundations, fiscal laws and the Law on Local Administration and Self –
Government, the State will support the development of philanthropy, partner relations and
the inter -sector cooperation, including also the socially responsible business sector in the
condition of a decentralized decision -making and financing system.

III. PROGRAM STATUS

1. The Program has been design ed on the basis of a partnership and was brought forward
after extensive discussions commenced on June 26, 2000 with the representatives of the
Sector in Croatia, representatives of local administration and self -government and state
administrative bodies.
2. The Program represents but a general framework and a mechanism that will enable the
improvement of the relations between the Government and the Sector.
3. The Program is a document that refers to cooperation between the Government and the
Sector and as such i s not a legally binding document. Its authority evolves from the
confirmation given by the Government and the Sector during the discussions. The
Program will initially refer to the state administration bodies; nevertheless, immediately
after this document will have been approved, the designing of local and regional
programs of cooperation on the local level will commence. Thereafter, the coordinated
text of the Program the Government will forward to the Croatian Parliament.

IV . PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION

Princ iples of cooperation between the Government and the Sector as stated in this Program
are based on:
 partnership
 transparency of Government’s and Sector’s activities
 independence of the Sector
 liability for the utilization of public resources
 promotion of eq ual opportunities for all, regardless of the race, skin color, gender,
language, faith, political or other persuasion, national or social background, property,
birth, education, social status or other such characteristics
 positive practice code and the imp rovement of the quality of action, that also includes the
principle of partial or complete financing from the state or local budgets
 subsidiary principle as the foundation for the partnership between the Government and
the Sector
 quality NGO action code
 promotion of non -violence and active acceptance of diversities
 building social capital

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V. MODELS OD COOPERATION

Possible models of cooperation between the Government and the Sector anticipated with this
program find their ground in:

 legislature – consultati ons with non -governmental, non -for -profit sector in the course of
deliberation of new or amendments of the current laws and the inclusion of its
representatives in the working groups of law movers
 consultation – during the process of designing the Governme nt’s National Program, in
joint evaluation of the strategy, priorities and carriers of parts of the Program, in the
evaluation of projects in which public money is invested such is the evaluation of action
for environment, promotion of gender equality, equ ality of ethnic and religious
communities, socially excluded citizens, national minorities, persons with disabilities
 evaluation of national policy in all areas (health, employment, protection of environment,
social welfare, education, culture, military an d security issues, Croatian interests abroad
etc.)
 decentralization and cooperation for the durable development of the society
 partial or complete financing for programs and services of non -governmental, non -for –
profit sector
 citizens’ participation (publi c participation) in the process of decision making and meeting
the community needs
 support and enhancement of self -organizing and volunteer action for the benefit of their
community
 development of social enterprise and social capital as an important compon ent for social
development
 support for socially responsible business sector

VI . LIABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Liability of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the purpose of this Program are as
follows:

 Regard for the Inde pendence of the Sector

To recognize and support the independence of the Sector, including its right within the law to
organize campaigns, place objections and provide proposals for the government policy and
questioning the policy, regardless of financial bounds that may exist, as well as the right to
designate and manage its own affairs.

 Financing

To develop, in consultations with the Sector, the positive practice code and enhancement of
the quality of action that would also contain the principles of tra nsparent financing by the
Government, consequently the financing by local administration units after local programs
are approved.
To establish, on the basis of an earlier consultation with the Sector, fields, programs and
services, which are possible to be partially transferred onto the Sector, and establish the
amount of resources, needed for their implementation during the budgeting process.
To define financing models for organizations of persons with disabilities, as well as for those
who permanently pro vide care for elderly, chronically ill and socially underprivileged persons.
To establish terms and standards that will enable individuals, organizations and civic
initiatives an equal access to all models of support.
To enable self -sustainability and se lf-financing for Sector’s programs through a supportive
legislature. Therefore it is necessary to legally define the capacity and context of the non –
profit acting.

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To form working groups that would involve representatives of the Government, the Sector
and eminent experts for the areas established by the program, who will design criteria to
define and support the creation of legal frameworks for obtaining the status of those
organizations that operate for the public benefit and the legal frameworks for distr ibuting the
resources and, on the basis of a tender, choose programs or projects and supervise their
implementation.
To finance programs of non -governmental organizations from the state budget and local
budgets, which will be made possible on three levels:
 contracts on financing the need to meet general, public needs in the society, that would
last several years
 annual (or shorter -term) projects of non -governmental organizations
 smaller financial enhancements to those civic initiatives that bring new ideas and new
development models or new modalities of finding solutions for the existing problems.

In the year 2001 the preparations will be made for the decentralization of the resources
intended for activities of non -governmental, non -for -profit organizations , that will be approved
for the best quality and most competitive programs, projects and services offered to meet
public needs.
Consequently the development of foundations in Croatia will be clearly supported. The
development of foundations will be achieve d by giving grants to foundations, respecting the
funds they have already obtained from other granters.

 Development and Counseling

To include the Sector into he process of designing and making decisions, development
policy, strategy and programs, especi ally during the initial phase in order to establish the
consequences for the society.
According to the principles of urgency, sensibility and confidentiality consult the Sector on the
issues that influence the development of the society, especially when th e Government
proposes new roles and liabilities for the Sector or when it delivers new legislature. Such
consultation should be done on a long notice and provide enough time for the response,
taking into consideration the organization’s need to consult its beneficiaries;
To take into consideration specific needs, interests and contributions of those who are a part
of the Sector, such are women, minority groups, persons with disabilities and socially
excluded citizens;
To develop, together with the Sector, t he positive practice code and enhance the quality
action regarding consultations, policy evaluation and implementation.

 Enhancement of the Quality of Action

Enhancement of the quality of action is defined through:

 promotion of efficient relationships by a consistent approach and good practice between
the Government and the Sector;
 definition of inner system units or employees in state administration bodies who in their
job description will also have the obligation to cooperate with the Sector;
 sticking w ith the principle of transparency of action;
 obligation to hold consultations of all state administration bodies with the representatives
of the Sector in cases of deliberation of laws and/or important programs from their
jurisdiction;
 analysis of the impl ementation of the Program, according to prior established criteria
defined through the consultation;
 education of employees in state and local administration bodies so as to prepare them to
be ready to transparently and responsibly establish partner relati ons with the

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representatives of the Sector, and education of employees and volunteers in the non –
governmental, non -for profit sector on the possibilities of the development of the inter –
sector cooperation;
 designing supportive legal framework for the devel opment of philanthropy, voluntary work
and civil society, on the basis of which democratic, inclusive, social and solidary society
will be built;
 Government’s cooperation with the Sector, where the Government is to design a strategy
to support the civil so ciety in Croatia and by doing so is to compose a quality groundwork
for effective mutual supplement of public non -government – non -for -profit sector in
meeting the needs of the citizens;
 promotion of Program support on the local level.

VII . DUTY OF THE NON -GOV ERNMENTAL – NON -FOR -PROFIT SECTOR

Liability of the non -governmental – non -for -profit sector for the purpose of this Program are
as follows:

 Financing and Liability

To maintain high standards of management and conduct in doing the duty for the community ,
granters and beneficiaries, regarding the implementation of programs and projects, providing
services and delivering reports;
To have a responsible approach toward positive legislature;
To promote the principle of transparency of action, and practice it when an activity of a non –
governmental – non -for -profit organization is partially or completely financed by public
money;
To provide transparency and the possibility to control the spending of funds with which the
state or a local community entirely or p artially finances programs of the non -governmental –
non -for -profit sector.

 Development and Counseling

In cooperation with the Government support the possibility of employment in the non -for –
profit sector and the development of social economy;
Provide in formation and consultation when appropriate for all beneficiaries, volunteers,
members and supporters on the activities and policies presented to the Government or fed
back to the Government;
Responsibly treat information from the Government, when obtainab le.

 Enhancement of Quality Action

Support and develop cooperation, solidarity, social justice, transparency, personal and social
responsibility, self -organizing and permanent learning;
Promote cooperative relations with the Government and other public se ctor organizations as
well as with the organizations in the non -governmental – non -for -profit sector and the
business sector;
Include, when applicable, the beneficiaries in to the development and management of the
activities and/or services;
Promote equal opportunities regarding activities, employment, volunteers and service
provision;
Support voluntarism and activities for the public benefit;
Supervise and analyze implementation of the Program each year together with the
Government, and in accordance with the criteria established during consultations.

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VIII . FURTHER ENHANCEMENT OF THE PROGRAM

1. Being an outline document, this Program is a starting point, not a conclusion. The
Government and the Sector will, in their joint activity, see that its implementation and
effectiveness be developed., A positive practice code and the enhancement of quality
action will be prepared for the area of financing and consultations, and the strategy for
the support of the development of civil society in the Republic of Croatia will be designed
as a part of this process.
2. As a part of the development and enhancement process for the effectiveness of the
Program, each year a meeting of Government and Sector representatives will be held in
order to revise and analyze actions within the Pr ogram. Report from such meeting will be
publicized and the Parliament will dully be informed of it.
3. The Government will support the spreading of the Program onto other institutions of the
public sector and onto the local administration bodies, who will be called upon to adjust
the program to respond to specific circumstances of given local communities in the
definition of the relations with the non -governmental – non -for -profit sector.

In Zagreb, December 2000

For further information please con tact:

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
Office for Cooperation with NGOs
Ulica grada Vukovara 78
10000 Zagreb
Croatia
phone: +385 1 610 -6500
fax: +385 1 610 -9972
E-mail: ured.za.udruge@zg.tel.hr

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LIST
OF MEMBERS IN WORKING GROUPS
FOR THE CREATION OF THE PROGRAM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE NON -GOVERNMENT –
NON -FOR -PROFIT SECTOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

I. NGO REPRESENTATIVES

A/ NGO Represe ntatives

1. Martina Belić / Radmila Sučević, B.a.B.e., Zagreb
2. Sadika Zvirkić, Ženska grupa pri Odboru za ljudska prava, Karlovac
3. Zdenka Ungar, Ženska pomoć sada -SOS telefon, Zagreb
4. Vladimir Lay, Zeleni forum, Zagreb
5. Gojko Bežovan, CERANEO, Zagreb
6. Jelka Glumičić, Odbor za ljudska prava, Karlovac
7. Ljubo Manojlović / Milan Mrkalj, Srpski demokratski forum, Zagreb
8. Mladen Momčinović, Centar za građanske inicijative, Poreč
9. Aleksandra Kuratko / Zvonimir Mataga, GONG, Zagreb
10 . Ivana Kabaj, “Lobi”, Samobor
11 . Dubravka Dujmović -Kušan, Hrvatska glazbena mladež, Zagreb
12 . Vladimir Vadjon, Hrvatska paneuropska unija, Zagreb
13 . Zorislav Bobuš / Jeronim Trputec, Savez organizacija invalida Hrvatske, Zagreb
14 . Vesna Lendić Kasalo / Predrag Bosnar, Hrvatska zajednica tehničke kulture, Zagreb
15 . Mladen Ma jetić, Zamir.net, Zagreb
16 . Jelena Brajša / Mirjana Lovreković, Hrvatska humanitarna mreža, Zagreb
17 . Irena Sertić, Udruga za zaštitu prava djece “Heureka”, Zagreb
18 . Gordana Forčić, SMART, Rijeka
19 . Marija Raos / Danijela Babić, NIT, Zagreb
20 . Alan Vojvodić / Roman Dank o, EOS, Zagreb
21 . Danijel Koletić, Strukovna udruga za odnose s javnošću, Zagreb
22 . Branka Kaselj / Tatjana Ordanić, Centar za mir, nenasilje i ljudska prava, Osijek
23 . Nives Ivelja / Vesna Jukić, Udruga “MI”, Split
24 . Sandra Bistričić -Koletić, Regionalni centar za po tporu udrugama, Rijeka
25 . Ana Žunić, GONG, Zadar
26 . Milan Medić, Centar za civilne inicijative, Zagreb
27 . Smiljana Rađa, Klub žena liječenih na dojci, Split
28 . Karolina Pajer, Centar za mlade “San”, Daruvar
29 . Ana Miletić, Udruga “Luna”, Dubrovnik
33 . Ninoslav Šćukanec, Stud entski informativni centar
34 . Duško Popović, Hrvatska mreža zdravih gradova, Zagreb
35 . Vinko Zidarić, Interkultura, Zagreb
36 . Toni Vidan, Zelena akcija, Zagreb

B/ Representatives of non -for -profit, private institutions

34. Srđan Dvornik, Ustanova “Žalgiris” i Za klada Heinrich Böll Stiftung
35 . Nenad Maljković, Ustanova “Medius” i Junior Achievement za Hrvatsku

C/ Representatives of Religious Organizations

36 . Vice John Batarelo / Boženko Lozo, Hrvatski Caritas

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II. STATE ADMINISTRATION REPRESENTATIVES

37 . Marija Bol tek, Office for Cooperation with NGOs
38 . Duška Bošnjaković, Ministry of Justice Administration, Local Government and Self –
Government
39 . Siniša Kuhar, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare

III. REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SELF -GOVERNMENT

40 . Vesna Z ec, Gradsko poglavarstvo Split
41 . Višnja Fortuna, Gradsko poglavarstvo Zagreb
42 . Iva Josipović, Županija Primorsko -goranska
43. Siniša Gregoran, Gradsko poglavarstvo Osijek

IV. REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN CROATIA

44. Zorica Benci, DFID, British Embassy in Croatia
45 . Slavica Radošević, USAID
46 . Nives Zenko, World Learning
47. Lidija Pavić / Ivana Laginja, AED
48. Drago Vručinić, Institut “Open Society”