The Head of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, dr. Marko Kovačić, assoc. prof., participated in the national round table on the recognition of youth work. The round table was held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and brought together representatives of relevant institutions, professional and civil society organizations, practitioners, and experts in the field of youth work. The round table was organized as part of the Blockchained Youth Work project.
Alongside Kovačić, the discussion included representatives from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, the Croatian Youth Network, and the professional association NORMA.
Participants exchanged perspectives on:
- the current state of youth work in Croatia,
- the role of institutions and the community of practice in the professionalization of the sector,
- obstacles and opportunities for recognizing youth work as a profession.
The discussion also covered European processes such as the European Youth Work Agenda (EYWA), as well as specific national steps that can support stronger positioning of youth work within the educational, social, and political systems.
In the final part of the round table, a workshop was held to draft proposals for a national Action Plan, during which participants defined concrete activities that could contribute to strengthening the quality, visibility, and recognition of youth work in Croatia.
The round table confirmed the importance of dialogue and cooperation among actors in the sector and opened space for the joint development of sustainable solutions for the future of youth work.