The Initiative was founded on the belief that democracy is essential and that there is no alternative when it comes to the protection of human rights and civil liberties, nor in enabling reconciliation, which is inherently a democratic process. Since its establishment, the Initiative has contributed to democratic development, the promotion of democratic political culture, the strengthening of democratic social and state institutions, and the vision of global democracy and democratic peace. In addition to numerous educational programs and activities that encourage civic engagement, especially among young people, as well as major and widely recognized efforts such as organizing the Youth Summit for Democracy in Zagreb in 2017, the Initiative integrates democratic principles and the core values of civil rights and freedoms into all of its programs. In order to enhance the impact of its democratic engagement in Croatia, in the region, and globally, the Initiative will during this strategic period work on the following key initiatives:
Human Rights Council — There is a significant need within Croatian civil society for a human rights organization that enjoys broad public credibility both among the general public and institutional actors. Most civil society organizations working on the promotion and protection of human rights enjoy only limited sectoral reputation and are often discredited in public and institutional circles. For this reason, a group of prominent intellectuals in Croatia has proposed the establishment of a Human Rights Council, a unique organization that would bring together individuals with strong public reputation, such as former holders of the highest political offices (Presidents of the Republic, Prime Ministers, Ministers), distinguished university professors, respected religious leaders, and other public figures with significant achievements in social fields, whose experience and public standing can contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and civil liberties. This organization could become a key and particularly influential voice for human rights and civil liberties within Croatian civil society and public discourse. Therefore, the Initiative will provide strategic support for the establishment and development of this organization and will serve as its technical secretariat, enabling the Council to focus exclusively on its programmatic work without the need to invest in professional organizational infrastructure or administrative operations.
Political Youth Network — In 2014, the Initiative initiated the establishment of the Political Youth Network (PYN), a network of youth branches of political parties. Members of this network are organized groups of young people within various political parties across the region. This is a globally unique network that connects young people from different countries and political affiliations, bridging not only national but also ethnic, political, and ideological divides, and promoting the belief that all politically engaged actors have a duty to understand, promote, and protect human rights and contribute to reconciliation. PYN will focus on significant program development, enabling more exchanges among young politicians, involving more human rights organizations in mentoring politically active youth, and creating a guide for young political actors on human rights and civil liberties. To date, PYN's work has been supported by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and in this strategic period, the Initiative will aim to mobilize support from European political foundations, whose involvement could contribute to program development, engagement intensity, and the credibility of PYN’s work.
Human Rights Student Union — The Initiative has collaborated on multiple occasions with student clubs and organizations, and students make up the majority of participants in the Initiative's programs. At the same time, there is a lack of university-based organizations in Croatia that promote human rights. Therefore, during this strategic period, the Initiative will work with a critical group of students from multiple universities across the country to establish the Human Rights Student Union. This organization, which the Initiative will support technically, will organize university-based activities that allow students to learn about human rights, connect with human rights organizations from Croatia and abroad, and engage in advocacy for the promotion and protection of human rights.