Volume 21, Issue 2-6, June 2017

THE DANUBE STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN EASTERN CROATIA: THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS


Authors: Damir Demonja, Tihana Stepinac Fabijanić

Abstract: The analyses made on the Danube Strategy shows that it is highly applicable in the economic segment of development of rural areas in Eastern Croatia (Croatian Danube Region). Potentials of development of rural areas in Eastern Croatia, as part of the Danube Basin, can be applied with a higher quality through a common action of all interested stakeholders. Results achieved so far by the civil society associations/organizations in Eastern Croatia through projects/activities/experiences in development of rural areas acknowledge that local and regional initiatives are important facilitators of sustainable development in the Danube Region. This justifies the future role and activities of the Danube Civil Society Forum (DCSF) in promoting and extending the participation of civil society and its networking in the frame of the Danube Strategy and in development of rural areas in Eastern Croatia. The paper discusses the role and importance of the Danube Strategy and its implications in relation to Croatia. Then interpret the initiative of connecting the Danube Region at the level of civil society associations/organizations networks, with particular emphasis on the role of the Danube Civil Society Forum (DCSF) as a network of civil society associations/organizations of the Danube Basin. The paper, also, lists examples of successful European and Croatian civil society associations/organizations, and, finally, lists activities and experiences in the field of development of rural areas in Eastern Croatia (Croatian Danube Region).

Keywords: Eastern Croatia, Danube Strategy, civil society associations/organizations, Danube Civil Society Forum (DCSF), development of rural areas

DOI: 10.18421/GP21.02-06

Article info: 124-131

Received: March 1, 2016 | Revised: April 12, 2017 | Accepted: May 27, 2017


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