Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.60.2.4
Analysis of the Role of Youth Organizations in Rural Croatia Through the Theory of Neo-endogenous Development: Case Study on Examples in Lika-Senj and Zadar County
Jelena Puđak
orcid.org/0000-0002-9770-5802
; Institute of Social Science Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Anita Bušljeta Tonković
orcid.org/0000-0002-5816-7378
; Institute of Social Science Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Kovačić
orcid.org/0000-0003-4114-0678
; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Rural youth are one of the priority groups within the European youth policies and an essential
part of the theory of neo-endogenous development. The aim of this paper is to analyse the
agency of youth organizations in rural areas of Lika-Senj and Zadar County, and to determine
to what extent they are an active participant of the local development and which obstacles
they are facing. By employing the case study methodological framework, the paper presents
findings of semi-structured interviews with key civil society actors working with youth in the
examined area, through an overview of their activities and projects, and analysis of obstacles
and perspectives for further development of actors working with youth. Youth organizations
often face a lack of understanding of the local and regional self-government units, whereby
the democratic potential of collaboration among actors in the local, cultural, economic and
political development of these communities is neglected. Furthermore, the findings suggest
that the areas of Zadar and Lika-Senj County do not practice neo-endogenous development,
because the potential and contribution of the mentioned organizations is not recognized, thus
constraining the opportunity for youth to participate in youth policy-making, and indirectly
destimulating them to stay in rural areas.
Keywords
youth organizations; youth; neo-endogenous development; rural areas, case study
Hrčak ID:
285800
URI
Publication date:
17.11.2022.
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