Finding a Home for Young Voices in Croatia – by Anja Kolimbatovic EDYN Features

Finding a Home for Young Voices in Croatia

Written by Anja Kolimbatovic Member of EDYN Croatia EDYN’s Secretary General and Leadership Council Member EU Policy expert

Croatia’s modern history has been shaped by a series of decisive political and social changes through which the country gradually regained its political voice. After the collapse of the Yugoslav one party system, Croatia reintroduced political pluralism through democratic elections in 1990, confirmed its sovereign will in the 1991 independence referendum, and defended that choice in a war for independence and freedom. In the decades that followed, Croatia strengthened its statehood and completed its integration into the European Union, the eurozone, and the Schengen area.

This journey has been demanding, but also deeply meaningful. Croatia stands where it does today because progress is being pursued consistently through responsibility, cooperation, and continuous work.

That responsibility was never abstract; it was carried by real people, at a real cost. During the Homeland War, many young people put their lives on hold and stepped forward to defend Croatia. Some paid the ultimate price for the freedom and independence Croatia enjoys today, and we remain forever indebted to all who defended it, the living and the fallen. They fought not for abstract ideals, but for the right to decide their own future. The freedoms enjoyed today are inseparable from their sacrifice, and they place a responsibility on those who inherited them.

Youth Engagement Beyond Traditional Politics

Yet despite this legacy, younger generations in Croatia are still often described as politically passive. This description does not reflect reality. The problem is not youth apathy; it’s a credibility gap between participation and outcomes.

Young people today are well informed and engaged with what is happening around them. They follow political developments, talk openly about social issues, get involved in causes they care about, volunteer, and take part in civil society, local initiatives, and online spaces. What many are missing is not motivation, but a clear sense of where their effort can have real impact.

Formal political space can feel distant or difficult to enter. Strong labels, unresolved historical divisions, and long standing mistrust shaped by public scandals have left many young people cautious. This caution should not be confused with apathy. More often, it reflects a desire to act responsibly, without becoming absorbed into structures they do not fully trust. In that sense, many young people are not disengaged; they are searching for a place where participation feels credible and meaningful.

At the same time, Croatia, like many post socialist societies, continues to navigate the slower and more complex process of democratic maturation. Compared to long established Western democracies, both citizens and leadership are still learning how to practise democracy beyond elections alone. Decades of centralised governance and limited political pluralism under the former system left a legacy of distance between institutions and society. As a result, trust in institutions and political leadership remains fragile, often independent of party affiliation.

Strengthening democracy therefore requires more than formal procedures. It calls for institutions that are more open, transparent, and responsive, and for a political culture that encourages participation without forcing people into rigid party identities. This challenge is not unique to Croatia, but is shared by many countries with similar historical trajectories.

Creating Spaces Where Participation Feels Meaningful

Available data reflect this complexity. Turnout in Croatia was 62.30 percent in the April 2024 parliamentary elections, but 21.35 percent in the June 2024 European Parliament elections. Across the EU, the European Commission’s April 2024 Youth and Democracy Eurobarometer found that 64 percent of young respondents intended to vote in the European elections, and 48 percent reported taking action in the previous year to try to change society. Participation exists, but it does not always take conventional political forms.

Recent international discussions about Croatia often highlight stability, economic resilience, and institutional maturity. These perspectives matter. Croatia is widely recognised as a stable, resilient, and cooperative European country. Its strength is further reinforced when citizens, including younger generations, feel encouraged to participate and contribute. In this context, trust is often rebuilt most effectively where participation feels closest and outcomes are visible.

This is where the idea of a “home” matters. A home is not about ideology or labels, but about belonging, a space where people can ask questions, learn, contribute, and gradually grow into public engagement without being defined by the past. Digital spaces already help younger generations connect and organise around shared concerns, and they can strengthen public dialogue when used thoughtfully.

Ultimately, the question is not whether young people care about Croatia. Many already do, quietly, thoughtfully, and with a strong sense of responsibility for the future. If you are reading this and considering joining EDYN, a civil society organisation, a local initiative, or even a political party, take that step. Participation begins there, and every voice that chooses to engage helps shape the country we share, and our sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future.