Croatia youth council initiatives

In late July 2026, two Croatian municipalities inaugurated new youth councils. Benkovac elected a five‑member council chaired by Ante Šarić, while Viškovo’s council, led by Nadia Mujić, also appointed five members to represent local youth at the county level. Both bodies were created to advise local authorities and boost youth participation in decision‑making.

Two days later, the city of Novi Marof opened applications for its own Youth Council, inviting residents aged 15‑30 to join a term that will counsel the city council on policies affecting young people. Simultaneously, the Council of Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with the European Youth Foundation, launched a grant programme titled “Living and Building Democracy,” seeking projects that foster democratic culture, digital engagement and human‑rights awareness among youth.

By August 2026, existing councils in Zadar and Rijeka expanded their focus on civic engagement. The Zadar County Youth Council launched a campaign titled ‘Youth are not just one topic,’ managing 11 initiatives ranging from mental health to digital literacy. In Rijeka, the Youth Council reported on its first six months of activity through its ‘Assertive Youth Council’ program, which emphasizes evidence-based advocacy to ensure young citizens are active participants in city administration rather than mere observers.

Together, these developments show a regional push to institutionalise youth voices in local governance and to support youth‑led democratic initiatives across Croatia and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina.