National youth program
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Croatia 2009 National Youth Program
Measure 3. TO ENCOURAGE AND SUBSIDIZE EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF
YOUNG PERSONS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES: DURATION OF IMPLEMENTATION: 3.1. To promote accessible subventions and deductions for employers employing young persons through different forms of informing and at professional conferences, gatherings and round tables. 2009 and ongoing 3.2. To examine the needs and possibilities and to design a program that would provide incentive to companies to cooperate with educational institutions, i.e. to design a volunteering system in institutions and companies. 2010 and ongoing 3.3. To introduce tax and other deductions for employment of persons under the age of 29. 2009 158 3.4. To examine the needs and opportunities, and to design a project for macro regional entrepreneur incubator for young persons in Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek and Split. 2010 3.5. To subsidize foundation of new trades/companies by establishing a guarantee fund for young persons, which would co-finance projects of young entrepreneurs under the age of 29 through credit lines, subsidies and non-refundable loans. 2010 and ongoing CARRIER: Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship COLLABORATORS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport Croatian Employment Service Office for NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia Croatian Chamber of Economy Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts Croatian Employers’ Association Croatian Agency for Small Enterprises (HAMAG) units of local self-administration: Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Osijek FUNDING: Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship REQUIRED FUNDING: resources from regular activities of state administration bodies IMPLEMENTATION INDICATORS: − the scope of activities involving promotion and informing of employers − the number of interested institutions and companies for volunteering of young persons and the number of young persons interested in volunteering in institutions and companies − the number of newly employed persons under the age of 29 − drafted project of macro regional entrepreneur incubators for young persons − the number of new trades/companies and the number of employees − the number of co-financed projects 159 3. SOCIAL POLICY 3.1. Analysis of the status of social youth policy Under the notion of social youth policy we understand the system of directed social interventions (temporary and permanent mechanisms and support services) in the function of overcoming social risks, mitigating social inequalities, equalizing life opportunities and stimulating social solidarity and integration. The goals of these interventions are positive development and social inclusion of all young people, especially the groups requiring special attention and support. Croatia shares some of the European trends related to position of young people in society. In Central and Eastern European countries during 90’s young people became the poorest population group, which is most commonly seen from the fact that young people do not own assets (property, savings and stocks), they find employment and apartments with difficulties and depend on their parents’ help. Basic determinants of the social position of the majority of young people and of the level of their inclusion are as follows: inclusion in educational or work process, family support, local community and peer groups. Young people leaving education before obtaining qualification are in a difficult position. They often fail to find job or they get employed in insecure, poorly paid and even risky jobs. Moreover, there is a tight connection between the social inclusion level, education and employment. Socially excluded young people do not have an appropriate access to education, and therefore employment for them is even more insecure, which often leads to life dependence, poverty and further exclusion. Particularly vulnerable groups are young people without family support and young people without home – homeless persons. Quality life, inclusion in social processes and accumulation of capital are additionally difficult to youth living in areas remote from bigger centers (on islands, in villages and in small towns) where there is very little choice of education and employment and availability of information, organized events and services adapted to youth needs. Socially unfavourable position of youth is also linked to the problem of housing independence which is difficult to achieve. Difficult achievement of independence is caused by expensive apartments of private lessors, by the problem of unregistered lease agreements, inaccessibility of subsidies for housing expenses, scarce scope of social apartment construction, inaccessibility of stimulated apartment construction due to the poor credit ratings of youth, and the total amount of apartment construction costs. Due to the high degree of family solidarity and long-term parent support, the majority of youth are not left on their own, which significantly mitigates social risks. But, not all families are able to support their young members. It is estimated that around 10% of Croatian population lives below the national poverty threshold. Youth from poor and dysfunctional families need greater social help in order to equalize their chances in education, employment and satisfying personal and family life. Socioeconomic situation is especially difficult in war-stricken areas. A research of youth from the areas under special state care (Raboteg-Šarić and Rogić, 2002) indicated that as many as 160 29.1% of young people often or almost all the time worry whether their families will have enough sustenance. In the areas directly stricken by war there is a disintegration of community and a feeling of loss of its meaning, so young people live in the environment of separation and tensions. The issues of return of displaced persons and refugees, reconstruction and return of property, their employment, reintegration into society and the building of coexistence are everyday challenges for youth in these areas where economic activity is still of low intensity. The programs conducted by foreign and domestic non-governmental organizations, directed to economic revitalization and social integration, mitigate the consequences of war only to a certain degree. In these areas over one half of young people (55.6%) are unsatisfied with their lives, and as much as 50.2% of them would leave their homeland for better opportunities in education, employment and life (Raboteg-Šarić and Rogić, 2002). Unfortunately, young people from all parts of Croatia largely stated that they thought about emigrating if they had an opportunity (67% according to the research by Lugomer-Armano, Kamenov and Ljubotina, 2001). The stated factors increase social vulnerability of young people, and probably also influence postponed foundation of families and parenthood. Social standard and modernization process require employment of both parents, and there are no satisfying accompanying social services that would enable this. There is a lack of education and support for young parents, especially those lacking positive family history and support, in developing adequate parenting skills and the way of coping with economic, professional and parental stress. Family centers as institutions founded by the Ministry of Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity and counselling centers organized by various civil society organizations, institutions and local administration units, should contribute more significantly to the development of support services for young families. However, on one hand the problem is mutual co-operation of all institutions and, on the other hand, appropriate informing citizens about the existence and accessibility of these services. In addition to everything stated above, some groups of young people are more socially excluded due to prejudice or break of their relations with family and community. In determining socially excluded groups, a problem of their recognition arises. Only for some groups there is a widely accepted recognition of their greater vulnerability and social risks they are exposed to, while only a small portion of public is aware of the marginalization of others. In public there are significant stereotypes, avoidance and/or fear regarding certain groups, which additionally increases their social exclusion (e.g. persons of minority sexual orientations, victims of commercial sexual exploitation, persons with AIDS, mental or other rare diseases, etc.). Young people also perceive social injustice reflected in unequal care of society for the poor, and in unequal opportunities for young people in smaller towns and in larger cities (Lugomer- Armano, Kamenov and Ljubotina, 2001). Also, around one fourth of youth emphasizes the problem of nepotism, which makes social promotion and even the existence itself difficult for those without appropriate ‘‘connections and acquaintances’’ regardless of their abilities and expertise (Ilišin, 2007). Therefore, around 60% of young people expect the society to ensure equal opportunities in education and employment for all (Ilišin, 2007). Of all national and ethnic minority groups in Croatia, the Roma undoubtedly have the most difficult social position, caused by a high level of social exclusion. Studies consistently show that Roma are ‘‘overrepresented’’ in all categories needing social protection: very poor, long- 161 term unemployed, persons with no professional qualifications, uneducated, members of large families, persons with no residence, citizenship, etc. Therefore, Roma, especially young persons, must be given an opportunity to avoid the circle of poverty, discrimination and marginalization. With the aim of improving life conditions of the Roma ethnic minority, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the National Program for Roma and the Action Plan for the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015, which systematically try to help Roma, especially children and youth, in improving life conditions and their inclusion in the social life and decision-making processes, retaining at the same time their identity, tradition and culture. The National Program for Roma encompasses education area, retaining traditional culture, inclusion of Roma, especially children and youth, into social and political life, status issues, prevention of discrimination, health care, employment, social care, protection of family, maternity and youth, and spatial planning. Measures stipulated by the Action Plan will contribute to the elimination of long-term marginalization and discrimination of the Roma minority group, to the elimination of poverty, and in accordance with economic development, to a higher standard of living as well. Because of everything stated above, there is a clear need for a thorough study based on reliable research of young people who are marginalized and stigmatized in Croatia. Without reliable information, the strategies and policies directed to these groups are often inappropriate and fail to meet their actual needs. The direction in which the social role of every young person, moving on the continuum from the most valuable potential to the biggest problem, will be realized, depends on the ability of each community to provide, through formal and informal resources, the support to a young person and strengthen its potentials for successful coping with life challenges (Blažeka, Janković, Berc, 2003). Therefore, the position and future of youth, as well as their present and future level of inclusion and contribution to community, depend on appropriately directed and comprehensive social policy measures. Download 0.9 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
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