Croatian Rural Development Network (HMRR)

The Croatian Rural Development Network (HMRR) was established in January 2006, after more than two years of informal work. It links and represents civil society organisations dedicated to the sustainable rural development of Croatia.

OUR  VISION
Balanced development of Croatia, in which inhabitants of rural areas contribute through their social and economic activities and take active part in care, preservation and protection of the areas where they live.

MISSION
The Croatian Rural Development Network, by networking and establishing partnerships, undertakes activities to lay the foundations necessary for the coherent and good quality livelihood in the rural areas.

HMRR OBJECTIVES for the period of 3-5 years:

• Promoting innovative approaches, new knowledge, and best practices from Croatia and abroad
• Monitoring and analysig of rural development policies and proposing measures for their improvement

• Enhancing coordination and facilitating in linking stakeholders relevant for the rural development of Croatia.

PRINCIPLES

Principles promoted by the Croatian Rural Development Network are based on good European practice and LEADER approach:

• Sustainable rural development – based on preservation and development of the human, environmental, social and productive capital.
• The Area-based approach – rural areas are similar, yet each has its own specifics and profile. Those differences should be taken into account in  development planning, because they are the foundations for the quality development of each area.
• Activating communities lagging behind in the development processes – some communities need support to be able to join the development processes. We believe that such communities should not be left aside to the flow of time, but should be recognized and special attention should be given to qualify them for the timely integration into these processes.
• Bottom-up approach – it is not possible to achieve any kind of development without public involvement. Therefore, it is necessary to involve key stakeholders in local communities, to achieve the best possible solutions through the affluence of ideas
• Development of the local partnership in approaches and activities – nowadays the fragmented initiatives are most often doomed to fail; they have no power, conviction, or trust. Therefore, nurturing and furthering the partnership relations and the culture of coordination are of the utmost importance.
• Networking and coordination – connecting, acting synergic  in development processes, exchanging knowledge and experience are of key importance in today’s modern Europe and in Croatia.
• Innovations – tradition is unquestionably the basis of sustainable rural development, but innovations are essential in presentation of traditional values in new competitive ways.
• Integrated multisectoral approach – lack of links between sectors often causes problems in the development. Horizontal cross-sector networking, as well as vertical networking of local, regional and national institutions, is especially important in the realisation of sustainable rural development.
• Local financing and managing projects – it is of utmost importance for the activities on the local level to be financed from the local budgets. Knowing the situation in Croatia, we are aware that it is not simple, but even a small contribution from local budget would be a confirmation of credibility and importance of local projects.

 HMRR performes the following activities:

• Exchange of information on policies, practice and events connected with the rural development (among network members through mailing list and web sites)
• Observe the process of accession and EU policies in connection with the rural development
• Organisation of national and regional conferences about rural development
• Organise training for network members on the LEADER Programme and policy analyses (and good practice)
• Collect the examples of good practice connected with rural development
• Publishing of quarterly e-bulletin HMRR Info

FOUNDERS OF NETWORK

ZOE Center for Sustainable Development of Rural Communities is founded in 1997 in Zagreb by a group of enthusiastic professionals. Its goal is to provide services that will contribute to the development of rural, primarily mountain, regions of Croatia. ZOE also aims to develop models that are adjusted to the natural, economic and human potentials in the regions where it works. ZOE believes in the professionalism of work, especially towards its users and beneficiaries. Special attention is therefore given to continuous and systematic education. The most significant results of ZOE's work, so far, were - annual fair of local traditional agricultural products “Autumn in Lika”, established and organized by ZOE since 1999 and Programme for medicinal plant production based on ecological principles that was launched in 2002 in the municipality of Lovinac in Lika. ZOE also published a number of reference books and other publications. You can find more on www.zoe-centar.hr

ODRAZ–Sustainable Community Development gathers experts from various fields (physical planning, environmental protection, sustainable development, civil society and non profit sector), who design and apply the sustainable development concept for local community benefit. Some of the relevant ODRAZ’s projects/activities: - Training programme for Local Community Development – “Through knowledge to development” – more than 50 people from different Croatian communities and sectors acquired knowledge and skills necessary for community organising, preparation and managing of quality projects. They are gathered within the Local Development Network .(www.mreza-lokalni-razvoj.net). - POZOR – support and training for environment and sustainable development, within which practical tools for the local sustainable development are developed. ODRAZ is a publisher of numerous publications. More information can be found on the web site www.odraz.hr

SMART Organisation for the development of the civil society is a non-profit organization established with the aim to strengthen and support development of the non-profit sector in Croatia. SMART organizes educational workshops and gives technical assistance and consultations on management of non-profit organizations, collects and shares information to non-governmental/non profit organisations, informal groups, and individuals. SMART also cooperates with the public and business sector for further development of non profit organisations. Since its foundation in 1999, SMART had 530 days of educational workshops for 5283 people from 1028 organisations and 875 hours of consultations and technical support, for different groups of users, including representatives of state institutions, social care, education; representatives of local and regional self government and interested individuals. More information on www.smart.hr

CCI Centre for the civil initiative is an organisation directed to the development of the local communities, especially in the rural areas of central Croatia. Activities of CCI are directed towards: - Development of the civil society - Economic strengthening of local communities (above all revival of the war damaged areas) - Enhancing the cooperation with local self governments - Promoting corporate social responsibility, encouraging philanthropy in local communities Find more on the Web site: www.cci.hr

DEŠA - Dubrovnik is established in 1993, with the aim to encourage and develop different activities to help women and their families in war and post-war period. At present, DEŠA objectives are: - to empower local community to act within the framework of the civil society, - to educate citizens to take more active role in the economic development, - to promote traditional values, to enhance the revival of the authenticity and recognition of Dubrovnik area - to revive rural areas, especially the islands of Dubrovnik-Neretva county and to encourage their more active role in the enrichment of the tourist offer. More information can be obtained from the following web-site: www.desa-dubrovnik.net

Croatian ECOVAST section (European Council for Villages and Small Towns) is established in 1993. Prior to its establishment; it was acting as a part of European headquarters. the organisation is active on the entire Croatian territory, linking relevant stakeholders to protect the heritage and support integral and sustainable development of rural areas and small towns. ECOVAST implements projects aiming at education and awareness raising, protecting, enhancing and promoting cultural, social, economical and ecological values, initiating suitable types of alternative tourism, valorization of the landscape, supporting the local initiatives etc. For more information about the work of the organisation contact: tihana.fabijanic@post.t-com.hr

SLAP is the organisation for the creative development - it is established in Osijek with the aim to strengthen the human resources and social capital. Their motto is: Why to be a drop if you can be a waterfall! Within the rural development programme, Slap has initiated: - establishment of the Slavonic forum for the rural development, - Agro-center – programme for encouraging ecological production through education, consulting services, micro-loans and market connections in the area of Slavonia, - Ethno-brand – programme of production and launching the hand -made goods, by linking the craftsmen and organisations joined under the common trademark for the products of art and traditional value, with the final goal of creation of sustainable social entrepreneurship. More information on web site - www.pomakonline.com

MEMBERS SINCE 2007

EKOTURISTIKO - Prigorje Brdovečko, association for promotion of ecology and tourism is situated in a rural environment between Zagreb and Slovenian border. EKOTURISTIKO aims to connect local people and places, to show what is valuable in the area, to support citizens’ interests and to protect their right to healthy environment. For more information, see website: www.ekoturistiko.hr

OGI – Organization for Civil Initiatives - Osijek with regional offices in Tenja (Osijek-Baranja County) and Drniš (Šibenik-Knin County), supports NGOs and local institutions in creating positive social changes in local communities. OGI promotes partnership of different stakeholders’ groups; organizes training for NGOs, local self-governments, youth, local entrepreneurs and cooperatives; organizes fairs, etc. For more information, see website: www.ogi.hr

Organisation PREPARE (Pre-accession Partnership for Rural Europe) - Network of European organisations dedicated to supporting a sustainable development of rural areas, especially in the countries accessing the European Union, contributed significantly to the formal recognition of the Croatian Rural Development Network.