CYN member of YFJ - Press release

On Saturday, 15 November 2008, the Croatian Youth Network became the 97th member of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) – the pan-European youth platform which gathers  national youth councils and international youth organisations and which is the most significant partner to the European Commission and the Council of Europe in youth policy development. By an unanimous vote and with a great public support, CYN joined JFY and thereby gained Europe-wide recognition as the National Youth Council in Croatia. CYN became a member of JFY at the General Assembly which took place in Rotterdam from 11 to 15 October.

CYN was founded in 2002 by some 20 youth organizations. Currently it counts 52 member organizations and more are expected to join by the end of the year. As a direct consequence of youth organizing in CYN and its influence on public policies, Croatia has seen the passing of National Programme of Action for Youth, Law on Youth Advisory Boards, new National Programme for Youth (pending), as well as numerous strategic documents (for example, youth employment) and activities like National Conference on Volunteering in 2005 or National Youth Conference in 2007 (MOBMS). More than 500 000 young people took part in CYN's activities, some 20 young leaders were educated and empowered for work in their local communities, 7 county youth councils were founded and CYN was led by more than 20 young persons.

However, CYN is still not accepted as a serious partner by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry responsible for youth. Membership in CYN is yet another proof of recognition of quality work and structure of CYN. With regards to the clear mission of CYN, its motivation and results of its work, we are calling upon the Croatian Government to build a dialogue with the youth sector in the development of youth policy. We hope the Government will recognize the progress in the youth sector and the advancements in the affirmation of the Croatian youth sector in European circles, and start building with us more lasting partnership relations based on the principles of transparency, openness and inclusiveness.

The process of accession to the YFJ lasted for over a year and the process of preparations and working toward meeting the standards and criteria for membership started from the very beginning of our work. According to the report of the Consultative Board on Membership Affairs (CBMA) CYN fulfilled all relevant criteria for membership and its works is based on principles of inclusiveness and transparency. The report is also confirming of CYN's open and independent structure, cooperation with various youth organization (for example with youth wings of political parties) and the results of advocacy actions for youth policy changes. The report was based on a detailed analysis of the youth sector in Croatia, JFY study visits, results of JFY meetings with member and other organizations and a thorough review of the documentation of CYN development. The report concludes that, having taken into consideration its structure, values and principles, CYN can be an example to other youth structures in Europe and beyond.

We would like to use this opportunity to thank everybody who supported our work over the years, especially to Mladinski svet Slovenije, French National Youth Council, Service Civil International, Coordination of CYN and youth wings of political parties, and of course, to its members, volunteers and individuals who gave their contribution to the development of CYN over the years.

We firmly believe that, with CYN's membership in YFJ, youth sector in Croatia received recognition for its work, expertise and results in European circles as a relevant stakeholder in youth policy development.