COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF CROATIAN DEFENDERS TREATED from post-traumatic stress disorder REPUBLIC OF CROATIAN

"Our association helped to reduce the stigmatization of veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD'

It is with great sorrow and sadness that we inform you that today 30. March 2024. Association of Croatian Veterans Treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Republic of Croatia in order to acquaint Croatian veterans with the process of acquiring rights defined by the Croatian Veterans Act 66 in the year of his life, after a short and serious illness, our professor Allen Bartoš left. Long-time president and one of the founders of the Veteran Sports and Recreation Association 91. Volunteer of the Homeland War, RVI, President of the Society of Medical Radiologists of Croatia, vice president of the UDVDR of the Republic of Zagreb County, President of the Association for Sports and Recreation of Croatian Veterans and Disabled People of the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia, member of the Organizing Committee of the international scientific conference "Society and Technology", deputy director of the Center for Croatian veterans and their family members of the Republic of Croatia, director of the Center for Croatian veterans and their family members in the City of Zagreb, vice president of the Zagreb Parasports Association and author of many scientific and professional works. His wish was for Croatian veterans to become, in the true sense of the word, addicted to a healthy way of life, as Allen Bartoš used to say – "The future is not what we expect from it, but what we make of it ourselves."
rest in peace, Peace be upon you, Croatia, the country you loved immensely.
The last farewell of the dear deceased will take place on Saturday, 6. 04. 2024 Association of Croatian Veterans Treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Republic of Croatia in order to acquaint Croatian veterans with the process of acquiring rights defined by the Croatian Veterans Act 13,20 hours on Markovo polje.

The cycle of workshops on the topic of greater self-sustainability of CSOs, which was carried out by SRZ METROPOLA, continued. The following workshops were held:
1. Strengthening the managerial entrepreneurial and business competencies of social enterprises, part II
2. Training of workers in a disadvantageous position in the DP
We would like to highlight the topics of the workshops
– Funding of entrepreneurial programs of the social cooperative with EU funds, loans and other sources of financing
– Business communication and negotiation in a social cooperative
– it is a presentation of the business concept of Social Enterprises and the advantages and disadvantages of this type of operation

In organization 9. Knowledge Center for Social Development on Friday 15. December 2023. A conference entitled "Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War - Experiences from the past in the service of the present and future" was held in the Academia Hotel in Zagreb, which covered three thematic areas. The coordinator opened the conference and presented its goals 9. Center of knowledge Sandra Rapčak Škomrlj. At the conference, along with representatives of veterans' and victims' associations involved in 9. Knowledge centers were also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, Zagreb, Croatian Red Cross and 8. knowledge center. Through several presentations and presentations from the perspective of veterans' and victims' associations, then the institution and through quality discussions, experiences are included, the results, challenges and reflections on the role of defenders ,victims and institutions in the past, of the present but also of the future through the creation of institutional and non-institutional frameworks in the area of ​​exercising rights, resocialization, strengthening the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims and their contribution to society as a whole in various areas. Through presentations and discussions in the first part of the conference, the link between the experiences and challenges of Croatian veterans was highlighted, victims of the Homeland War and the institutions of the Republic of Croatia in the field of care and resocialization with the current situation related to Ukraine and the assistance that the Republic of Croatia provides to Ukrainian veterans and victims through the institutions and programs of associations. Experiences and observations from the perspective of veterans' and victims' associations were presented by Ljiljana Alvir, deputy coordinator 9. knowledge center, and they are active in through examples, views and experiences were included by the president of ZUV HGP Siniša Troha, Valentino Rajković from HVIDR and other representatives of veterans' and victims' associations. Marijana Tkalec, the head of the Department for the care of Croatian veterans from the Homeland War and the preservation of the values ​​of the Homeland War presented the activities and programs implemented by the Ministry of Croatian Veterans within the legal framework, veterans centers, project financing, programs and activities of associations, veterans' cooperatives and other forms of active action in the area of ​​strengthening the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War, but also active support for victims from Ukraine who reside in the Republic of Croatia. Vesna Krivošić, the head of the National Tracing Service of the Croatian Red Cross presented the mandate to the conference participants, role, involvement and achievements and challenges of the Croatian Red Cross as well as the International Red Cross and Crescent, in active participation in solving humanitarian issues related to the Homeland War and after it, as well as through the context of wars and humanitarian crises in other areas. Martina Gusić and Milena Suknaić gave support to the conference and the activities carried out by veterans' and victims' associations in front of the office responsible for veterans of the City of Zagreb.. In the second part of the conference focused on the multi-program connection of Knowledge Centers, Ratmir Džanić presented his work, impact, experiences and challenges faced 8. Center of knowledge in its field of activity with special emphasis on inclusive transport of people with disabilities, which is also relevant for victims of the Homeland War. He also presented digital solutions for people with disabilities. Through the third part of the conference, which was dedicated to the discussion on the inclusion and contribution of organized civil society in the creation of inclusive and solidarity, digital and green and sustainable Croatia, the Analysis of the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia was presented 2030. The, and which is in the name 9. Knowledge Center presented by Danijela Perić. Presentations and short films "Resocialization of war veterans and exchange of experiences" prepared by the Defense Cooperative for Adventure Tourism "Patriot" attracted special attention at the conference., and presented by Sandra Rapčak Škomrlj; The "Boranka" project, which was presented by Dan Špicer from the Croatian Scout Association as a partner of the Association of Croatian Homeland War Volunteers, and a video work by the Ministry of Croatian Veterans on rehabilitation in veteran centers. The participants showed great interest in the presentation of Nenad Andrašek from UHDDR entitled Digital transformation "Application of the POM-PRO software solution" and expressed a desire to connect and cooperate on the development of similar programs. Through the aforementioned presentation, the program in the area of ​​digitization applied by the aforementioned association was presented, and which other civil society organizations could also apply in their work.
Through the presentations and discussions, the conclusions of the conference emerged:
By participating in the defense against aggression against the Republic of Croatia and the liberation of the occupied territories in the Homeland War, Croatian veterans are the foundation of a free, of the independent and sovereign Republic of Croatia, its institutions and legislative frameworks that enabled the free operation and development of civil society in the Republic of Croatia.
Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War, in addition to a great contribution to solving the consequences of the aggression against the Republic of Croatia, made and continue to make an immeasurable contribution to solving the consequences of floods, shakes, pandemic and other challenges faced by the entire Croatian society and thus showed solidarity towards the social community in which they live and work. Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War, through involvement in all segments of society, make a great contribution to the stability and development of the Republic of Croatia, its prosperity and reputation in the environment in which it is located as well as in the associations in which it is involved, with an emphasis on EU membership. Despite the challenges they face and the still unresolved issues that are the result of participation and suffering in the Homeland War,  veterans and victims of the Homeland War gained experience, apply knowledge and skills for the benefit of the wider community and transfer the same within the Republic of Croatia, but also beyond its borders, as a professional, solidarity and responsible attitude towards others. Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War, through organized activities within civil society, contribute to the development and strengthening of the role of civil society in the area of ​​strengthening the quality of life, resocialization, monitoring and strengthening of public policies, inclusive and solidarity development, digital and green and sustainable Croatia through the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030. The. Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War will through the strengthening of cooperation and partnership relations within the framework of organized civil society, with an emphasis on the area in which civil society organizations that gather users also operate, continue to contribute to institutional and non-institutional solutions to challenges related to the consequences of the Homeland War and actively participate in green development, digital, solidary and sustainable Republic of Croatia and creating assumptions for systematic inclusion and applying and transferring the acquired experience, knowledge and skills for the benefit of the entire community, but also outside the framework of the Republic of Croatia. The conference was held with the financial support of the National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society through the Development Cooperation Agreement in the area of ​​Knowledge Centers for Social Development.

In cooperation with the Croatian Association for Suicide Prevention (WHOOPS), and thanks to the support of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans and the National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society, a cycle of a total of 7 workshop providing psychological support to Croatian veterans treated for PTSD and their family members. The workshops were held in Čačinci, Virovitici, Garešnica and Zagreb, and the topics of the workshops were as follows:
– Overcoming stigma and discrimination
– Posttraumatic growth
– The importance of maintaining mental health
– There is no health without mental health
– Support for families - How to provide support for people struggling with mental disorders
– Stres i PTSP
– The importance of socialization in dealing with PTSD
We are glad that it was possible to continue cooperation with dr. Koić and we look forward to further joint work for the benefit of all Croatian veterans and their family members, and especially those treated for PTSD.

At the beginning of November, as part of the project Psychological empowerment of veterans treated for PTSD and their family members, a spiritual renewal of members of the Community was held. A pilgrimage to Medjugorje was organized and we are glad that the turnout of the participants was already traditionally high and that a place higher up on the bus was once again sought after.. This is an indication that Croatian veterans and their family members are very eager for such activities.