Detailed explanation on Micro-projects

Micro-projects

Trends in Local Community Development

Trends in local community development emphasize a holistic approach, involving local residents in decision-making about their future. In this approach, the individual is the key driver of economic decisions.

Community-based development focuses on empowering local communities to stimulate their own economic growth and development. Sustainable development here means building stronger and more resilient communities that can advance both economically and socially.

Local stakeholders should develop “bottom-up” integrated approaches to address territorial and local challenges, build community capacity for change, and encourage innovation.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are important drivers of development, offering creative and innovative solutions to local problems.

Local Economic Development Model (LER)

The Local Economic Development (LER) model of developed economies is based on the assumption that cities and municipalities know their needs best. They are well-positioned to analyze the potentials and challenges of local economic development.

LER relies on partnerships among:

Local self-government,
Private sector,
Local population.

The goal is to strengthen the competitive position of cities and municipalities through optimal use of their own resources.

Community-Led Local Development (CLLD)

The European Commission tool, CLLD, mobilizes and engages local communities and organizations.

It is based on the LEADER model, focusing on creating local development strategies and resource allocation.
The main instrument for implementing the LEADER approach is the Local Action Group (LAG).

Today, there are approximately 2,600 LAGs funded by various EU funds, making the CLLD/LEADER model a strategic instrument for:

Territorial cohesion,
Social cohesion,
Digital cohesion, and
Green cohesion across the EU.

Local Economic Development in Croatia

Goal 8 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes:

Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth,
Full employment, and decent work for all.

To monitor the development of 556 municipalities and cities and 20 counties in Croatia, a development index has been created. It is a composite indicator calculated as an adjusted average of standardized socio-economic indicators, such as:

Average income per capita,
Average local revenue per capita,
Unemployment rate,
Population trends,
Level of education (tertiary education),
Aging index.

According to the development index in Croatia:

48% of municipalities and cities are classified as developed,
52% are classified as underdeveloped.

In underdeveloped areas, there are 13,658 registered associations (31,5% of the total 43,171 registered associations in Croatia).

Role of Civil Society Organisations

Civil society organisations contribute to:

Finding the best solutions for local needs,
Building trust,
Increasing citizen participation and social networks.

Collaboration with public authorities includes:

Financial and non-financial support,
Projects and programs of public interest.

The priority is to empower smaller CSOs in underdeveloped areas for collaboration and tailored micro-projects for local communities.

Data on CSO Projects and Funding

In 2012, nearly 50% of publicly funded projects were implemented by organizations based in Zagreb.
In 2019, 18.33% of projects were implemented across Croatia, with over 30% of funds allocated.
55% of associations and 58% of foundations still operate in urban centers and the most populated counties (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Istria).

Local CSOs often:

Do not have employees but rely on active volunteers,
Have low revenues and limited access to funding information,
Lack experience in managing EU or international funds.

Examples of CSO Capacity Building

First Call (2014) – “Micro-projects Supporting Innovative Activities of Small CSOs for Local Development”:

41 CSOs implemented an EU Social Fund project for the first time,
Involved 77 CSOs and 15 local/regional authorities,
Goal: strengthen capacities for accessing public funds, employment, education, and social inclusion.

Second Call (2020) – “Strengthening CSO Capacities to Respond to Local Community Needs”:

712 CSOs, 258 projects, 51 local/regional authorities, 34 institutions,
Focus: professional training, volunteer management, EU funds, digital technologies, crisis management,
Result: CSOs strengthened to work effectively with citizens and local communities.

Main Challenges: The lack of funding remains the biggest challenge for activating local communities.