The Second Swiss Contribution within the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme for the Civil Society Programme officially launched in Karlovac
On January 14, 2025, the Kick-of Conference for the Second Swiss Contribution within the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme for the Civil Society Programme was held. The conference was organised by the Croatian Government’s Office for Cooperation with NGOs in the congress hall of the Aquatika – Karlovac Freshwater Aquarium
Helena Beus, Acting Director of the Governmental Office for Cooperation with NGOs, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation His Excellency Urs Hammer, Iva Novak, Director of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and Coordination of European Union Funds of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Martina Furdek-Hajdin, Prefect of Karlovac County, and Damir Mandić, Mayor of the City of Karlovac held the welcoming speeches.
The total value of the Swiss Confederation commitment for the Civil Society Programme is 7.62 million CHF, while 10% represents national co-financing.
Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds has the role of the National Coordination Unit (NCU) and is responsible for the overall Swiss Contribution implementation. This Programme is a continuation of the successful and continuous cooperation with the Swiss Confederation after the programme was successfully implemented within the First Swiss Contribution. That programme improved the knowledge and skills of children and youth in the areas of sustainable development and environmental protection, climate change and energy efficiency, social entrepreneurship and topics important for the sustainable development of local communities.
The Office for Cooperation with NGOs fulfils the role of Programme Operator. Within the programme, four calls for proposals will be published in the areas of sustainable development education, strengthening volunteering, micro projects and service-learning programmes.
The conference presented the Civil Society Programme, future calls for proposals and examples of good practice from the Swiss Confederation NGO’s.
During the conference, the Mayor of the City of Karlovac, Damir Mandić, signed the Declaration on Cooperation between Cities and NGOs in the Republic of Croatia.
Representatives of governmental bodies, public institutions, NGOs and local and regional self-government units participated in the conference.
Parallel to the ceremonial part of the conference, 20 students from Karlovac elementary schools participated in the workshop focused on the sustainable development.
The conference is available on the YouTube channel of the Governmental Office for NGOs – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qsGh9E3Y_g
