10 contracts worth almost 2,5 million euros for community service learning and education for sustainable development were awarded

New projects will connect the civil society organisations, universities and schools in the work on the concrete community challenges.

The Contracts Awarding Ceremony within the Program “Civil Society” of the Second Swiss Contribution in the Republic of Croatia was held on 20 July 2026 at the National and University Library Congress Centre in Zagreb.
The Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs, as the Programme Manager, awarded 10 contracts worth 2,5 million euros - eight contracts for the projects in the area of community service learning amounted 2.026.648,79 euros and 2 contracts in the area of education for sustainable development worth 455.025,10 euros.
The Awarding Ceremony gathered the representatives of institutions, CSOs, high education and other educational institutions, as well as other stakeholders included in the civil society and education development.
 
In the introductory part Helena Beus, authorised to perform duties of the Head of the Office, Momir Karin, Head of the Directorate for support and Improvement of Education system of the Ministry of science, education and youth, Domagoj Mikulić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Majda Burić, deputy Committee for European Affairs and delegate of the Croatian Parliament president, as well as Beatrice Schaer, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation in the Republic of Croatia welcomed the assembled.
 
Partnerships that educate and change the community
The awarded contracts are the result of successfully implemented Calls “Strengthening the CSOs contribution to community service learning” and “Strengthening of CSOs contribution to upbringing and education for sustainable development” (programming).
The Call for community service learning supports the development of sustainable partnerships between civil society organisations and higher education institutions. Through the approved projects implementation, students and higher education staff will be involved in activities that connect academic knowledge with the concrete needs of the community. That way the professional and analytical capacities of CSOs will be simultaneously strengthened and active citizenship and youth engagement are encouraged.
The projects will connect universities, CSOs and local communities in addressing different social challenges - from the environment protection and climate changes to inclusion of people with disabilities, combating disinformation and promoting active citizenship.

Education for sustainable future
The second Call, aiming at upbringing and education for sustainable development, the CSOs role in developing knowledge, skills and competences of children and youth for active and responsible participation in the society will be furtherly strengthen.
The supported projects are aimed at strengthening cooperation of CSOs and educational institutions, development of innovative educational content and teaching methods, as well as awareness raising on sustainable development, environment protection, social equality and responsible resources management.
Through these projects implementation hundreds of students, pupils and teaching staff, as well as the CSOs members will have the opportunity of gaining knowledge and skills, simultaneously contributing to creating more sustainable, resilient and inclusive local communities.

Swiss support to the civil society development
Second Swiss contribution represent the continuation of the Swiss Confederation investment aiming at decreasing of economic and social disparities in the EU member countries. In the Republic of Croatia (RoC) it is implemented through activities in various areas, among which are Exploring Programme and the Programme EUROSTARS, Upgrading of the Water Supply Infrastructure in Gorski Kotar, Development of the Palliative Care System and Strengthening of Civil Society.
The Contracts Awarding Ceremony was also the opportunity to emphasize the importance of partnership between public institutions, CSOs, educational system and international partners in creation of society that actively respond to challenges in the presence and future.
After the Ceremony the Implementation Workshop for Beneficiaries was held. The key information, as well as the guidelines for successful implementation of adopted projects were presented at the workshop.
 
The Awarding Ceremony was followed by the media coverage:
Croatian Television https://share.google/No0IbeEibP6gSxm2m and tportalu  https://share.google/KLTcI0KwxD9oSmjMg

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