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

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.