SECRETARIA DEL TRABAJO Y PREVISION SOCIAL
PROCEDIMIENTO 025: DETERMINACION DE AMONIACO EN AIRE-METODO POTENCIOMETRICO
Social inclusion promotion in Croatia is based on National Implementation Plan on Social Inclusion 2011-2012 (NIPSI)27 which gives a review of measures and stakeholders foreseen to combat poverty and social exclusion according to the JIM28 strategic priorities and target groups. So far three NIPSIs were prepared, NIPSI 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012. The latter, NIPSI 2011-2012 represents the sequence of activities of previous National implementation plans, but also takes into consideration the adjustment in the context of financial and economic crisis that Croatia is facing. The main priorities are to increase the level of employability and to create better conditions for employment of long term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups, as well as to broaden the network of social services, development of community based social services as well as to improve access to social services.
The Sustainable Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia29 also stresses that stability and progress can be achieved only through balanced policies aimed at developing, among other things, an effective social care system, a system of special measures aimed at socially vulnerable groups and balanced regional development. Social welfare sector is the sector that provides social protection net with the objective of providing assistance, services and care for the better inclusion in the society of socially vulnerable groups and individuals who cannot meet their daily living needs on their own or with help of their family members due to unfavourable personal, economic, social and other circumstances. Vulnerable groups are groups of people that are largely considered as groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion and are basically defined by the two strategic documents- JIM and JAP30. These groups are considered to be at a disadvantage or being marginalized in success to social services
27 National Implementation Plan on Social Inclusion (NIPSI) 2011-2012 is available at http://www.mspm.hr/djelokrug_aktivnosti/medunarodna_suradnja/jim_zajednicki_memorandum_o_socijalnom_ukljucivanju_r h/joint_memorandum_on_social_inclusion_of_the_republic_of_croatia
28 Joint Inclusion Memorandum is available at
http://www.mspm.hr/djelokrug_aktivnosti/medunarodna_suradnja/jim_zajednicki_memorandum_o_socijalnom_ukljucivanju_r h/joint_memorandum_on_social_inclusion_of_the_republic_of_croatia
29The Sustainable Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia is available at http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_03_30_658.html
or/and in access to labour market. According to JIM priorities among the groups facing an increased risk of poverty and social exclusion, particular attention needs to be given to those on low income (the unemployed, the elderly with no pensions, single-parent families, families with more than two children, single mothers and older women), displaced persons, refugees, returnees, vulnerable ethnic minorities (especially members of Roma community), people with disabilities and other groups that are not so numerous but are faced with challenges of extreme poverty (the homeless, former addicts) .
The social welfare sector is focused towards implementation of structural reforms, which are harmonised with the EU objectives and respective member states’ standards since Croatia acknowledged considering implementing common EU objectives into its national policies regarding eradication of poverty and social inclusion. General principles of these reforms are laid down in the Strategy of Government Programmes 2010-2012 within the general objective on “Strengthening of social fairness”, including on several specific objectives. The continuation of implementation of strategic goals defined by this Strategy is ensured through Strategy of government Programmes 2011- 201331, 2012-2014 and 2013-201532.
The reform process has been on-going since the Social Welfare Development Project (World Bank, 2005 – 2009) and up to date it is necessary to integrate the results of all the components that have come out in the field of improving social services, including on the development of methodology of social planning in counties and on quality social services standards, management information system and social infrastructure, with the purpose of qualitative and institutional reform. Strategic approach to reform processes was strengthened through a Strategy on Social Benefit Reform 2007-2008 that ensure effective support for the most vulnerable groups. As a joint document of the various relevant sectors, Strategy was adopted in order to increase the efficiency of social transfer system and decrease poverty risk of the unemployed. This document ensured better coordination and exchange of information between different parts / beneficiaries of social protection system with the main goals in reduction of total number of social benefits, improved targeting of potential beneficiaries, faster and improved access to the social welfare system but also to the labour market, as well as unifying of social benefits.
Social policy measures at the time of the crisis in Croatia were generally directed at distributing the burden of the economic crisis, protecting the most vulnerable groups and eliminating unjustified privileges in certain social systems.
With the main purpose to increase the capacity of the quality of services, analysing and deciding on priorities within a particular community as well as making services more clients oriented, the activities of social planning are in progress. According to the methodology and guidelines that have already been developed, social plans are so far developed in ten counties (Vukovar-Srijem County, Split-Dalmatia County, Zadar County, Zagreb County, Virovitica-Podravina County, Koprivnica-Križevci County, Lika-Senj County, Sisak-Moslavina County, Šibenik-Knin County and Karlovac County). Social planning in other counties is in process and will be further developed. Based on JIM and on the Strategy of Government Programmes 2010 – 2012 Quality Standards of Social Services for Social Services Providers33 were adopted in 2010 and introduced to the social welfare system stressing the directionality to user needs, representing the starting point for measuring the quality of social services, thus enabling a precise and transparent evaluation of each individual service provider.
31 Strategy of Government Programmes 2011-2013 available at
http://www.mfin.hr/adminmax/docs/Strategija_Vladinih_programa_za_razdoblje_2011.-2013..pdf
32 Strategy of Government Programmes 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 available at http://www.mfin.hr/hr/stratesko-planiranje. 33 Quality Standards of Social Services for Social Services Providers available at
New management information system was introduced within Social Welfare Development Project to support both the networking of social welfare institutions, establishment of data basis about beneficiaries, rights and providers of social welfare services and assistance, as well as data exchange system with other relevant institutions. All activities are expected to be implemented gradually as defined in Social Welfare Development Strategy 2012 – 201634. In addition, new management information system supports the implementation of new organizational model and quality standards in social welfare centres (SWC) and social welfare institutions. New organizational model and the implementation of quality standards in SWC and social welfare institutions require some further adjustments related to adequate office equipment and additional IT equipment and the upgrading of the financial and accounting management system in order to achieve full implementation of new organizational model and quality standards.
The strategic goals for the development of the social welfare system remain directed towards de- institutionalization, especially regarding services for children and persons with disabilities, and the strengthening of the role of civil society and local administration in providing these services. In addition, there are various operating guidelines ensuring implementation through lifelong learning, supervision and education of services providers.
All strategic priorities will put emphasis on the reduction of regional disparities in access to services, the establishment better equality of institutionalized and de-institutionalized social welfare services, the development of services that will ease the labour market access of marginalized and disadvantaged groups, and the development of gender mainstreaming approaches in services.
The Economic Programme of the Republic of Croatia for 2013 stresses out that the main challenge of the economic policy in the forthcoming period is to set forward sustainable economic growth after 5 years of recession. Regarding social welfare sector, better targeting of social transfers to most vulnerable part of the society is expected. Reform measures that contribute to reforms of social welfare sector are deinstitutionalization (including prevention of institutionalization, deinstitutionalization and transformation of social welfare homes and other legal entities in the field of social welfare, as well as broadening the network of preventive, sustainable and community based social services) and improving the system of social benefits. In order to achieve these goals, it is planned to develop operational plan of deinstitutionalization and transformation social welfare homes and other legal entities by the end of 2013 and to revise the existing and developing new social plans on the county level in order to determine the real need for social services in every county. In addition, it is planned to revise and improve the system of financing social service providers in order to improve the quality of services, as well as to apply the same rules to all. Also, continuation of strengthening the capacities of expert workers in the social welfare system is planned.
Reform processes that should contribute to achievement of Europe 2020 goals in the area of poverty and social inclusion (decreasing the number of poor people by 20 million) are: ensuring social benefits to persons with disabilities, developing system of care for war veteran population and members of their families, developing the model of landing apartments and improving the quality of life of young persons.
In order to support the implementation of structural reforms in the social welfare sector, the following documents have been adopted: The Strategy of Social Welfare Development in the Republic of Croatia
34 The Strategy of Social Welfare Development in the Republic of Croatia 2011-2016 available at http://www.mspm.hr/djelokrug_aktivnosti/socijalna_skrb/reforma_sustava_socijalne_skrbi
2011-201635 (The Strategy 2012-2016), The Plan for the Deinstitutionalization and Transformation of Social Welfare Homes and Other Legal Entities Performing Social Welfare Activities in the Republic of Croatia 2011- 2016 (2018)36 (The Plan), The Strategic Plan of Ministry of Social Policy and Youth37 (The Strategic Plan) and National Programme for Youth 2009 - 201338.
The Strategy 2012 – 2016 reflects the efforts of the Croatian Government to better direct the measures of the social welfare system to ensure minimum life standard for the most vulnerable parts of the population and meet the needs of socially sensitive groups, accepting the guidelines of various Croatian and international strategic documents including on Europe 2020 Strategy, among others.
The Strategy includes the following into priority development objectives: increasing the efficiency of the social welfare system, social welfare decentralization, increasing the availability and access of social services (deinstitutionalization, prevention of institutionalization), the introduction of information technology into social welfare, improving cooperation with the CSOs, strengthening local communities in the process of social planning of services, building standards for monitoring and evaluating social service provision, improving cooperation among various government levels and bodies.
As a continuation of reform processes of deinstitutionalisation and transformation of social care homes, Social Welfare Sector is in the process of implementation of IPA project “Support to the Social Welfare Sector in the Process of Deinstitutionalization of Social Services” that is focused on two interlinked areas: continuing the processes of local social planning at the county level and the further transformation of social care homes. The project support experts from the social welfare sector with the further development and implementation of efficient and inclusive social services by improving the process of social planning and institutional transformation.
Within the framework of the Strategy, one of the priorities is the development of social services, primarily those provided to recipients in their homes and local communities. Spreading the network of social welfare services in the community contributes to independent living of specific groups in the society (such as persons with disabilities, including mentally ill adults, etc.), their reintegration into society, as well as to harmonizing work and family role of families having members who depend upon the care of others, which is one of the priorities stated in JIM – “To expand the network of social services, developing a system of community-based services and improving access to services.”
The Ministry of Social Policy and Youth (MSPY) has already made certain efforts to broaden the network of community based social services by financing their development from the State budget and the National lottery fund on an annual basis through open call for proposals for NGOs, as well as by supporting strategic partnerships and co-financing programmes lasting 3 years. In order to achieve these goals, further investments in monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects are undertaken. As regards decentralization, prerequisite for decentralization of social welfare system is to build a framework and strategy for financial decentralization. Due to the difficulties in fiscal decentralisation and reduced capacities of counties, the whole process of social welfare decentralization was doing slow.
35 The Strategy of Social Welfare Development in the Republic of Croatia 2011-2016 available at http://www.mspm.hr/djelokrug_aktivnosti/socijalna_skrb/reforma_sustava_socijalne_skrbi
36 The National Plan for the Deinstitutionalization and Transformation of Social Welfare Homes and Other Legal Entities Performing Social Welfare Activities in the Republic of Croatia 2011- 2016 (2018) available at http://www.mspm.hr/djelokrug_aktivnosti/socijalna_skrb/reforma_sustava_socijalne_skrbi
37 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Social Policy and Youth, available at: http://www.mspm.hr/ministarstvo/strateski_plan_ministarstva_socijalne_politike_i_mladih
38 National programme for youth 2009-2013, available at: http://www.hzz.hr/DocSlike/Nacionalni_program_za_mlade_2009- 2013.pdf
The Strategy 2012 – 2016 enables a more efficient implementation of system decentralization until the moment the conditions for financial decentralization are created.
The Plan represents a strategic document of the MSPY whose purpose is to intensify the deinstitutionalization and transformation reform processes and represents a basis for planning a network of homes and social welfare activities. The goal is to reduce entry into institutions and to increase the number of those who leave the institutions into new forms of social welfare, particularly by encouraging reintegration into families. The Plan defines specific objectives of transformation and deinstitutionalization for the following groups of beneficiaries: children and youth without adequate parental care, children and youth with behaviour disorders, children with disabilities, disabled adults and mentally ill adult persons. The Plan is in line with JIM priorities: -to establish an action plan to de- institutionalise services for children and people with disabilities (to stop building new institutions, to expand alternative forms of social services and to reduce the number of beneficiaries in welfare institutions); -to support the provision of services within the community where beneficiaries live.
The Strategic Plan represents the continuation of the reform process of the social policy system for the period 2013-2015. It sets out the vision, mission, and aims of the development of social policy system in Croatia with indicators to measure progress. In that sense, 3 general aims are set for the social policy system in the following period: Improving the quality of life of socially vulnerable groups by ensuring minimum life standards to citizens that are at highest risk through adequate fulfilment of their needs; Protection of rights of children and youth and supporting the family and Strengthening the social policy system and adjusting it with the aims of the EU.
In 2011 and 2012 amendments to the Social Welfare Act (the Act) were adopted. The aim of amendments was further simplification of administrative procedure, consolidation of rights of social beneficiaries and better targeting of the whole system including on support of the process of further deinstitutionalization. The amendments determined the new criteria for realizing social assistance and social services, predicted the types of support for including beneficiaries into society and labour market; introduced a different calculation method for financial benefits; suggested the improvement of financial status of persons living in single households; more clearly defined income test and assets test; introduced minimum quality standards for social services; the basis for the implementation of deinstitutionalization and development of new non-institutional services; introduced a comprehensive register of assistance and services beneficiaries for the purpose of improving system efficiency and service availability, as well as raised the level of familiarity for beneficiaries and the society concerning social rights. The aim was also to implement a wider system reform – broadening social services on the local level, better inclusion of NGOs in social service provision and gradual decentralisation and deinstitutionalisation of the system. Furthermore, the organisation set up of centres for social welfare has been changed leading to decentralisation and making the welfare system more available to the beneficiaries. The quality of Social Welfare provision is defined by the Act on Health Protection and Social Welfare Quality.
National program for youth 2009 - 201339 (NPY) is the fundamental strategic document in the Republic of Croatia, which applies to young people from 15 to 30 years. The main objective is to improve the overall activities of the state administration and public institutions which scope and responsibilities should contribute to addressing the needs of young people and improve the quality of their lives. New National program for youth 2014-2017 will be created in 2013, in accordance with national priorities, but also with a comprehensive European strategy for youth in 2009. - An EU Youth Strategy: Investing
39 National Programme for Youth 2009-2013 available at: http://www.hzz.hr/DocSlike/Nacionalni_program_za_mlade_2009- 2013.pdf
and Empowering 2010 - 2018, as well as according to the United Nations and the Council of Europe documents. In order to define the most effective measures aimed at young people, the active involvement of young people in the decision-making process will be implemented and the results of the research on needs, problems and potentials of young people will be applied. Organised youth sector and youth work will be defined by creation of new Youth Act in 2013.