6. Local State–Society Relations in Croatia

The chapter aims to explore four important networks relevant to local state–society relations in Croatia. First, we analyse youth councils since their role is to advise and influence local representative bodies on issues of interest to the young, to empower and enhance the participation of young people in local affairs and decisions. We continue with school boards and parents’ councils as important forms of representing and promoting parents’ interests in managing schools that fall under the local scope of affairs. Then we analyse local development agencies established by local governments to support small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs and to promote the overall economic, social, and cultural development. Finally, we examine local actions groups whose main task is to develop and implement local development strategies. The autonomy, the coherence, and the relevance of each of these networks are examined.