Zagorje Creative Youth Association

Zagorje Creative Youth Association is a new organization founded at the end of 2021 on the initiative of young individuals with extensive volunteering experience in civil society organizations. The main goal of the association is to encourage young people to think creatively and express themselves in new, innovative, and contemporary ways. Zagorje Creative Youth Association engages in the following activities to achieve its objectives: Development and implementation of projects aimed at protecting and promoting the rights and interests of young people and other citizens in the Republic of Croatia; Public advocacy and participation in shaping public policies; Publishing activities, including the publication of books, leaflets, posters, brochures, multimedia content (CDs, DVDs), and other promotional materials in accordance with the law; Organization of public events such as concerts, exhibitions, cinema screenings, debates, lectures, courses, workshops, seminars, performances, competitions, and other cultural, environmental, IT, and information-related activities; Gathering of citizens who wish to be involved in cultural, environmental, scientific, informational, and social actions and contribute to them; Collaboration with other organizations in Croatia and worldwide to promote international dialogue and introduce young people to Croatia’s historical and cultural heritage; Participation in the preparation and implementation of cultural plans and programs across Croatia; Implementation of preventive programs and projects; Implementation of creative programs and projects in the fields of culture, art, textile industry, sustainable development, nature, and youth policies; Strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations; Encouragement of the implementation of the EU Youth Dialogue. Zagorje Creative Youth Association is currently implementing three projects funded by the Krapina-Zagorje County. The project “Kreativni mladi Zagorja!” aims to improve the position of young people in society by providing them with a stimulating environment for creative leisure activities. The activities are focused on creating creative content for young people’s free time. The project promotes social inclusion, encourages active participation of young individuals in their local community through volunteering, and empowers socially excluded groups and youth to strengthen their capacities. Another cultural project called “festMODErna” is designed for young people aged 15 to 30 (both genders) from Krapina-Zagorje County. The project’s goal is to modernize traditional folk costumes and highlight how cultural heritage can be part of modern design, which the youth can create themselves. Throughout the nine-month duration of the project, young participants will have the opportunity to develop a modern design with details of the traditional folk costumes of Croatian Zagorje through various activities, including lectures, creative workshops, fashion shows, and exhibitions. The project will result in the design and production of fashion accessories and clothing items that will be showcased to the public through a fashion show. The project “ArtConnect – Povezivanje kreativnih umova” is funded with the support of the participatory budget for youth of Krapina-Zagorje County, and the project’s goal is to connect students from the School of Art, Design, Graphics, and Clothing in Zabok with young individuals who want to express themselves creatively, and together create a network of young creatives who will actively share their knowledge in their communities and beyond. In addition to these projects, the Zagorje Creative Youth Association has organized various activities, including a Pub Quiz on International Women’s Day called “Žena ima odgovor na sve.” They also marked World Art Day and World Creativity and Innovation Day. During the Lifelong Learning Week and 6th Media Literacy Day, they conducted online creative workshops. As part of the “Hrvatska volontira” event, they carried out a volunteer action called “Kreativno s prirodom”, where volunteers beautified the association’s environment, and a member of the association gave a lecture on sustainable cultivation of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They also organized a photography exhibition and a round table discussion on Erasmus+ and EU opportunities for young people. In collaboration with the Network of Associations Zagor, the Zagorje Creative Youth Association conducted a visual arts colony for young people on the theme of youth mobility in 2022. They also organized a “Podcast 101” workshop with seven young participants and a Pub Quiz as part of the Time to Move campaign, which had 22 participants, 20 of whom were young people. Furthermore, the Zagorje Creative Youth Association is a collaborative partner with the Network of Associations Zagor on the “Mladi su centar” project, aimed at contributing to the social development of the local and regional community by providing a stimulating environment for young people and civil society organizations. The project aims to address the needs of young people and improve the quality of their lives.