MOBILIZATION OF RURAL MOBILIZATION OF RURAL POPULATION IN CROATIAPOPULATION IN CROATIA

HMRR-Croatian Rural Development HMRR-Croatian Rural Development NetworkNetwork

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 BACKGROUNDCROATIAN 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.

OEDCORGANISATION 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 OBJECTIVES To increase understanding of

LEADER approach in rural areasTo 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 METHODS (community developmentdevelopment

Community analysis (hard and soft data)

Seek for specific issues and problemsCreation of a working group (20-40

people) – consist of stakeholders

Assessment of needs by the WGProject planning and fund-raisingMembers of HMRR apply for funding-

partners in rural communities

Examples of projects Examples of projects Rebuilding of community centersLobbying for medical clinics and

equipping themBuilding children playgroundsEducation of adults in eco-

agriculture, bokkkeeping, rural tourism, computer literacy,foreign languages

New productions Facilitation of links producers-

market

Examples of projectsExamples of projectsOCDes create self-financing

activities and employ new peopleRegional strategies created by

LAGsMunicipalities create better

environment for entrepreneurs, new businesses arrive

Results to be achievedResults to be achievedIncreased population in rural areasRural 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 GPPlus and Minus in this GP++++LEADER approachWomen and

youth involvedCooperation with

authoritiesOpening

opportunities for employments and self-employments

- - - - Slow processLack of educated

populationNational bodies do

not follow regional and local events

Lack of community spirit and entrepreneurship spirit

ConclusionsConclusionsCroatia – rural

country50+ 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 Croatian Rural Development NetworkNetwork

Thank you for your attentionContacts:

Višnja Jelić Muck predsjednik@hmrr

Mirela Despotović mirela@cci.hr