Category: Notice

At the end of October, as part of the project Psychological empowerment of PTSD veterans and their family members, a spiritual renewal of the Community members 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.

The fourth structured dialogue of the Veterans Thematic Network was held in the County Palace in Varaždin, on this "Councilor (it is) activity of Croatian veterans and involvement in social entrepreneurship" Structured dialogues are conducted within the framework of the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population – guidelines for the future" which was co-financed by the European Union as part of the European Social Fund, and the holder is the Association of Associations of Veterans of Croatian Guards together with partners from civil society and the academic community. Today's event was hosted by the partner association of the Special Police Unit RODA, and the organizer Antun Berljak, a former veteran who showed by his example how we can change our social environment for the better, because with quality action at the local level, we also influence positive changes in society as a whole. Those present were greeted at the beginning by Dražen Vitez, the president of the SJP Association "Roda", then the president of the County Assembly, Ph.D. Josip Križanić as well as Deputy Mayor of Varaždin Miroslav Marković. General information about the project and its implementation was presented by its project manager Ida Maček. The purpose of the project is to contribute to the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War. Activities include the establishment of a thematic network, public opinion poll, six scientific researches and creation of several scientific and professional articles. The results of the project are guidelines for the development of public policies that are presented to decision makers during six structured dialogues, each organized in a different city in order to achieve regional equality of involvement in the process of creating public policies.. Through the cooperation of organized civil society with the academic community and scientific research institutions, new ones were built, that is, deepening the existing ones, competence, knowledge and skills in civil society organizations that have thus become competent for the quality transfer of social needs into professional analyzes based on arguments and evidence that can be used to advocate the improvement of public policies in various areas of social and economic development. Scientific and professional collaborators on the project, Ph.D. Nenad Pokos from the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, mag. oec. Alen Halilović and mag. psych. Ivana Maslov together came to the conclusion that veterans' cooperatives and associations are recognized as one of the key organizations that can actively contribute to the development of social innovations that will directly affect the employment of vulnerable groups, which include Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War. One of the key proposals is the transformation of veterans' cooperatives into social enterprises, which will provide an opportunity for sustainable business, the possibility of employing young staff and reinvesting profits in the development of the local community with the aim of providing equal opportunities to Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War and their family members. The biggest obstacles to the business of social entrepreneurs are the lack of financial capital, but also the lack of business skills of social entrepreneurs and the low public visibility of social entrepreneurship, as well as the lack of awareness of social entrepreneurship as a business that creates additional social value in addition to economic value (employment of vulnerable groups, provision of social services, ecological sustainability). The solution to this problem can be seen through the development of a network of support services (the same can be implemented through thematic networks that work with a target group of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War and their family members) which can provide the necessary information, enable education and the creation of necessary skills and the exchange of experiences of good practice. It is also proposed to create special development funds as specific sources of financing. Stjepan Horvat, a veteran veteran entrepreneur who employs Croatian veterans, expressed his opinion on the topic, then Mirjana Jerebić- representative of the city society of the red cross Ludbreg and Branka Šaško - director of the regional office of the HZZ Varaždin. The organizers hereby once again thank all Croatian veterans from the area of ​​Varaždin County who spared their time to participate in survey research and focus groups and to express their opinion on the prepared guidelines with their own relevant suggestions..

On opening day 18. sports games in Kraljevica, Scott Cove, a lecture was held on the topic "Physical activity in the prevention of diseases of Croatian veterans and their family members" led by professor, Master of Science, lecturer, educator and scientist Allen Bartoš. The presentation was attended by Croatian veterans who were also competitors in sports games. In his presentation, Professor Bartoš highlighted the post-war period and the impact of war on man, then moving on to studies and analyzes on the importance of physical activity in disease prevention. Such educational lectures represent an important link in the prevention of numerous diseases, anxiety states and provide support in treatment and coping with post-war events and problems that Croatian veterans and their family members deal with on a daily basis. After the lecture, there was a discussion about health and the health problems faced by Croatian veterans. A parallel was drawn in health problems between war and peacekeeping missions, citing the example of Scandinavian countries participating in peacekeeping missions. The discussion also focused on the issue of Croatian veterans exercising their rights.  

In mid-September, representatives of the Community participated in 79. anniversaries of the revolt of Croatian and Bosniak soldiers against Nazi officers. A solemn commemoration was held on the field of Croatian martyrs. The commemoration was attended by representatives of local and provincial authorities, and the representatives of Croatia were the military envoy of the Republic of Croatia in France, Colonel Sandra Jonjić, and representatives of the Association of Croatian Veterans Treated for PTSD of the Republic of Croatia.

Dana 24. September 2022. years were held 18. the ZUHBL PTSP RH sports games were again held in Uvala Scott this year (Kraljevica). It took part in them 13 branch office, who competed in four darts disciplines, table tennis, chess and archery. The official opening of the games was attended by the representative of the Minister of Croatian Veterans, Secretary of State dr. sc. Spiro Janovic, and the representative of the Prefect of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Zlatko Komadine, Zlatko Mikulec. After the appropriate address of the guests, State Secretary Janović opened 18. sports games and wished the competitors success. At the end of the competition, trophies and medals were awarded.
results:
Shah: 1. UHBL PTSD Zagreb County; 2. UHBL PTSD Sisak-Moslavina County; 3. UHBL PTSD Krapina-Zagorje
Individually the best: Zlatko Vlahovic (KZŽ)
Darts: 1. UHBL PTSD Zagreb County; 2. UHBL PTSD Koprivnica-Križevci; 3. UHBL PTSD Zagreb
Individually the best: Ivica Belan (ZŽ)
Shooting: 1. UHBL PTSD Wexford County; 2. HBDRL PTSD Međimurje County; 3. UHBL PTSD Zagreb County
Individually the best: Anton Đerek (VSŽ)
Table tennis: 1. UHBL PTSD Zagreb County; 2. UHBL PTSD Wexford County: 3. UHBL PTSD Koprivnica-Križevci
Individually the best: Zlatko Jankovic (VSŽ)
Total conqueror 18. of sports games ZUHBL PTSP RH is UHBL PTSP Zagreb County.
Congratulations to all the competitors and medal winners.

Minister Medved supported the organization of this year's conference and stated that it is a good opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience on current veteran issues.. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved with colleagues, 17. August 2022. in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, he held a meeting with the president of the Standing Committee for European Affairs of the World Veterans Federation, Birgerom Kjerom Hansenom, representative of the Danish Association of Veterans, Ann-Christinom Salquist, representatives of the Association of Associations of Croatian veterans treated for PTSD and veterans of the Croatian Homeland War (President Tihomir Trešćec secretary Ivica Turić) and Dražen Jožef, representative of the Association of Volunteers and Veterans of the Homeland War. The meeting discussed the organization and preparations for holding the conference and the meeting of the Standing Committee for European Affairs at the World Veterans Federation, which will be held in Zagreb this year. Minister Medved supported the organization of this year's conference and stated that it is a good opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience on current veteran issues and an opportunity for the Republic of Croatia to show its experience in working with veterans and their associations., with an emphasis on the Croatian model of searching for missing persons, assistance to veterans in the challenges of coping with the consequences of the pandemic and earthquake, as well as models for preserving the health of Croatian veterans and their rehabilitation. Birger Kjer Hansen thanked Minister Medved for his support and for recognizing the importance of this project.

Dana 9. July 2022. in the show "Veterans of Peace" which is shown on the first program of Croatian Radio and Television, the manager of the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population" was a guest- guidelines for the future" Ida Maček, during which she presented the goals and activities of the mentioned project to the public in more detail. At the very beginning, she briefly described the application process for the competition "Thematic networks for social and economic development (and promoting social dialogue in the context of improving working conditions)within which the project is implemented, as well as the formation of a thematic network made up of public, the economic and civil sectors and the academic community, which was one of the basic prerequisites for applying to the competition. At the same time, the purpose of the project was emphasized, and which refers to the stimulation of intersectoral cooperation through public, profit and non-profit sector in order to work together to improve the quality of life of the veteran population. Furthermore, the method of selecting the topics of scientific research included in the project is described, and which were set as the most relevant based on the pre-public opinion survey conducted on 1.500 respondents in six counties. As some of the topics relate to social entrepreneurship and health care of Croatian veterans, also touched on the results of the research conducted so far, which indicate a high percentage of almost 80% veterans who express interest in joining social entrepreneurship projects through civil society organizations, and it was also pointed out the already implemented projects of the Association of Veterans of Croatian Guards, through which the need for veterans to continue to be useful in society through their voluntary involvement in activities and services providing assistance to their comrades and other most needy groups is visible.. Then, the expansion of the thematic network through the continuous increase in the number of involved veterans' associations since the beginning of the project was also presented, and the opportunities that are provided through the thematic networks to the veterans' associations involved, and thus, of course, their membership, which includes Croatian veterans. The thematic network thus provides logistical and organizational capacities, which includes the possibility of obtaining free legal aid, free psychological help, participation in workshops that enable education on relevant topics, obtaining information about future tenders and the like. The project leader also referred to the need for greater public promotion of the positive action of veterans' associations in society and the presentation of their projects., during which she pointed out the commendable fact that from 12 initially included partner veterans' associations, nine of them independently applied for EU projects. As for the public and the media, the results of the survey were presented as part of the public opinion survey on the way the public perceives the portrayal of veterans in the media, and they showed that a significant number of respondents believed that veterans were mostly portrayed negatively in the media. But in order to get an accurate picture based on scientific results on the mentioned topic, Croatian Catholic University (academic partner on the project) conducted a detailed scientific analysis of articles that appeared in print and web portals in recent years 10 year, and the results will be available at the beginning of next year. It was mentioned that unfortunately they are veterans themselves, according to the survey results, in a larger percentage dissatisfied with society's perception of them, which is intended to be influenced by the development of guidelines as part of the project that will influence public policies and strategic documents related to issues concerning the veteran population. It was also emphasized that it is necessary to actively involve veterans in social issues, inform them more about social entrepreneurship, encourage them to apply for projects and work in veterans' associations – everything that this project is trying to achieve. Also, it was pointed out that it is extremely important that access to psychosocial programs be provided to family members of Croatian veterans to the same extent, given that they are often victims of secondary traumatization. Inclusive, briefly referred to the topics covered so far, which refer to the families of veterans, the possibility of developing war tourism (as part of which the possibility of employing veterans as tourist guides opens up), and cohesion in the veteran population and communication with decision makers, with examples of good practice from the USA. Likewise, the topics that will be presented through the following structured dialogues are also listed, and which include media coverage, the connection between unemployment and PTSD and social entrepreneurship.

In the Cultural Information Center Gospić, 27. June 2022. The, the third structured dialogue of the Veterans Thematic Network was held, on the topic "Communication of veterans with decision-makers in the Republic of Croatia – examples of good practice from the USA". Structured dialogues are conducted within the framework of the project Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population – guidelines for the future, financed from the European Social Fund, and the holder is the Association of Associations of Veterans of the Croatian Guards. Veterans are included in the Thematic Network 13 civil society organization, mainly the association of veterans from the Homeland War, along with seven newly joined members and the University of Zadar and the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences. The purpose of the structured dialogue is to present guidelines for improving the quality of life of the veteran population, made on the basis of public opinion polls and scientific research. After the welcoming words of the president of the association of war veterans 9. gbr. Vukov Antonija Šebalj and president of the Association of Associations of Veterans of Croatian Guards Željko Dragašević, general information about the project and its implementation was presented by its project manager Ida Maček. The aim of the project is to raise the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War, and the results of six scientific studies, six public opinion polls and several scientific and professional articles will be guidelines for the development of public policies, which will be presented to the competent institutions as part of structured dialogues and analyzed in the context of social impact. Lara Buljan Gudelj presented the results of a public opinion survey and shared experiences from Great Britain, in which it is not only trying to help veterans, but to maximize and use their potential to help society. The British value their war veterans, understand the diversity of their experience and support their employment and continued careers in civil society. Their example is a guide for Croatia as well, pointed out Buljan Gudelj. Dr. sc. Igor Mikloušić from the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences presented the results of the scientific research "Cohesion among veterans and the effectiveness of communication with decision makers"..
– Cohesion among veterans can be so great that some of them feel closer to their comrades than to their family members.. War experiences and the specifics of life history make them a unique group in terms of mutual connection within the population itself, while on the other hand, there is a trend of stigmatization and marginalization by a part of the population that does not have the same or similar war experiences. Through the conversation with veterans, it was shown that there are problems with communication with individuals or certain public services, and if trust is established, then you can see how even after 30 years he did not lose his sense of responsibility towards the community, Mikloušić said.
Prof. dr. sc. Zlatko Begonja from the University of Zadar compared American and Croatian war veterans, among which the biggest difference is that the Croatian veterans mostly participated in the defensive war of liberation, while American veterans as soldiers participated in the "spread of democracy" around the world. In spite of, the patriotism of American veterans is not questioned by the citizens or the government, whether she is a Democrat or a Republican at the time. In Croatia, controversies are mostly of an ideological nature, because many structures did not regret Yugoslavia, so they have distanced themselves from the veterans who are most responsible for Croatian independence, Begonja pointed out. The prefect of Lika-Senj, Ernest Petry, thanked the organizers for coming to the area of ​​the former Lika battlefield, where Croatia was defended. The local government is doing everything to ensure that veterans have a dignified place to pay their respects to their fallen comrades, and care is also taken of their functioning in everyday life. Antun Berljak, member of the Roda Varaždin Police Special Unit Association, which has been actively promoting the veteran community and all its positive aspects for many years, he said that he can say from his example that veterans' associations have never encountered closed doors and that veterans should become active and create projects that will improve the quality of life. The structured dialogue in Gospić was the third in a series, after those spent in Vinkovci and Zadar, and until the end of the project, it will be held in Varaždin, Zagreb and Split. The topics covered are veterans' communication with decision-makers in the Republic of Croatia, working (it is)activity of veterans and involvement in social entrepreneurship, public opinion and health care of veterans in the Republic of Croatia.

"War tourism in the Republic of Croatia - the potential for improving the offer and the possibility of employing veterans" is the name of the structured dialogue that is part of the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population – guidelines for the future ” 18. May 2022. held at the University of Zadar.   Welcoming the participants, the rector of the University of Zadar, prof. dr. sc. Dijana Vican said that the defenders stood out in the Homeland War, and now is a new time in which their integrity is preserved by employment, entrepreneurship and creative contribution.
– The veteran population is burdened with numerous problems, primarily ideological prejudices about seemingly undeserved privileges. This project should lead to the defenders being an unquestionable part of Croatian society, pointed out the representative of the University of Zadar in the project Assoc. prof. dr . sc. Zlatko Begonja.
The president of the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides, Kristina Nuić Prka, pointed out that 100% asks foreign guests what happened in the Homeland War and presented the successful tourist offer of military tourism in the world as a confirmed potential for the development of this form of selective tourism. The owner of the travel agency "I Travel" and tourist guide Ivica Škriljevečki presented the "Zadar War Tour". The beginning of the route is in the city, in which the damage from the Homeland War is visible, but in some locations together the Roman and Venetian ramparts, and the late antique and medieval wall, which suggests that Zadar has always had to defend itself throughout its history. Continue towards the bunker on Vidikovac, from where there is a view of the whole city, and then towards Zemunik, the hill Križ from which Zadar was shelled, Dračevac with a tank stopped at that place… Depending on interest, the trip can be extended to Škabrnja, Maslenica bridge, Zrmanju, former base in Šepurine, which is a great untapped potential. Honorary President of the Association of Special Police from the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Maras analyzed war tourism in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to Velebit, and put forward the idea of ​​lodgings on the front line of the former battlefield, which could simultaneously be points for HGSS teams in rescue operations. By developing war tourism, pointed out the coordinator of the development of guidelines, Ivana Maslov, the tourist offer is growing, has a positive impact on the economy, the psychosocial well-being of veterans and members of their families by involving them in the planning and implementation of war tourism activities. Also, the positive image of the Homeland War is preserved, educates the public about important historical events, their causes and consequences.
– The content should be attractive to tourists, with attractive and interactive content, authentic experiences of the participants, storytellingom, using technological aids. Veterans need to be involved in planning and creating the offer of war tourism in order to bring authentic experience and knowledge about the Homeland War to the whole story., military operations and key war events. War stories and testimonies of veterans bring an educational and emotional component to the contents of war tourism, and this is exactly what today's tourist consumer is looking for, Maslov pointed out. At the end of the presentation, present,  among whom were representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, City of Zadar, Zadar County, Regional Office of the Croatian Employment Service Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board, through discussion gave constructive suggestions for project development.
– I am convinced that the strategic documents that will emerge from this project, and then, I belive, be adopted by decision makers and implemented into existing legislation and strategic objectives ,  greatly contribute to improving the quality of life of the veteran population in Croatian society – which is also the strategic goal of this project, said project manager Ida Maček.

Veterans with their authentic experience can contribute to the development of war tourism in Croatia "War tourism in Croatia - the potential for improving the supply and employment of veterans" is the name of a structured dialogue within the project "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of veterans – guidelines for the future ” 18. May 2022. held at the University of Zadar.  Welcoming the participants, the rector of the University of Zadar, prof. dr. sc. Dijana Vican said that the defenders stood out in the Homeland War, and now is a new time in which their integrity is preserved by employment, entrepreneurship and creative contribution.
– The veteran population is burdened with numerous problems, primarily ideological prejudices about seemingly undeserved privileges. This project should lead to the defenders being an unquestionable part of Croatian society, pointed out the representative of the University of Zadar in the project Assoc. prof. dr . sc. Zlatko Begonja.
The president of the Association of Croatian Tourist Guides, Kristina Nuić Prka, pointed out that 100% asks foreign guests what happened in the Homeland War and presented the successful tourist offer of military tourism in the world as a confirmed potential for the development of this form of selective tourism. The owner of the travel agency "I Travel" and tourist guide Ivica Škriljevečki presented the "Zadar War Tour". The beginning of the route is in the city, in which the damage from the Homeland War is visible, but in some locations together the Roman and Venetian ramparts, and the late antique and medieval wall, which suggests that Zadar has always had to defend itself throughout its history. Continue towards the bunker on Vidikovac, from where there is a view of the whole city, and then towards Zemunik, the hill Križ from which Zadar was shelled, Dračevac with a tank stopped at that place… Depending on interest, the trip can be extended to Škabrnja, Maslenica bridge, Zrmanju, former base in Šepurine, which is a great untapped potential. Honorary President of the Association of Special Police from the Homeland War of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Maras analyzed war tourism in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to Velebit, and put forward the idea of ​​lodgings on the front line of the former battlefield, which could simultaneously be points for HGSS teams in rescue operations. By developing war tourism, pointed out the coordinator of the development of guidelines, Ivana Maslov, the tourist offer is growing, has a positive impact on the economy, the psychosocial well-being of veterans and members of their families by involving them in the planning and implementation of war tourism activities. Also, the positive image of the Homeland War is preserved, educates the public about important historical events, their causes and consequences.
– The content should be attractive to tourists, with attractive and interactive content, authentic experiences of the participants, storytellingom, using technological aids. Veterans need to be involved in planning and creating the offer of war tourism in order to bring authentic experience and knowledge about the Homeland War to the whole story., military operations and key war events. War stories and testimonies of veterans bring an educational and emotional component to the contents of war tourism, and this is exactly what today's tourist consumer is looking for, Maslov pointed out.

At the end of the presentation, present,  among whom were representatives of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, City of Zadar, Zadar County, Regional Office of the Croatian Employment Service Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board, through discussion gave constructive suggestions for project development.
– I am convinced that the strategic documents that will emerge from this project, and then, I belive, be adopted by decision makers and implemented into existing legislation and strategic objectives ,  greatly contribute to improving the quality of life of the veteran population in Croatian society - which is the strategic goal of this project , said project manager Ida Maček.
Project UP.04.2.1.06.0004 "Analysis of social factors affecting the quality of life of the veteran population - guidelines for the future" co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund. The implementation period is 28. 10. 2020. – 28. 10. 2023., and the total value of the project and the amount of EU co-financing 3.590.775,69 kn. The holder of the project is the Association of Veterans of the Croatian Guards, which together with The name of your association and partners from civil society and the scientific community is implementing a project aimed at contributing to the quality of life of Croatian veterans and victims of the Homeland War.