Slovenian and Croatian youth and their civic and political participation

Naterer, Andrej and Gvozdanović, Anja (2025) Slovenian and Croatian youth and their civic and political participation. In: Two countries, one crisis: the YO-VID22 pandemic study. Edition Special Editions . University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press ; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Maribor, pp. 239-276. ISBN 978-961-299-048-0 (Print), 978-961-299-047-3 (Online)

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Abstract

IN ENGLISH: This chapter investigates civic and political participation among youth in Croatia and Slovenia, with a focus on trends before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey and qualitative data, it reveals persistently low levels of institutional political engagement, particularly in Croatia, where trust in political institutions remains among the lowest in the EU. Slovenian youth demonstrate slightly higher but still modest levels of electoral participation, with generational disillusionment evident in both contexts. At the same time, non-institutional forms of engagement, such as protests, online activism, and issue-based mobilisation, have grown, especially around environmental, social justice, and corruption-related concerns. The pandemic accelerated the use of digital tools for political expression, though digital activism rarely translated into sustained offline participation. Structural barriers, including precarious employment and weak civic education, further limit youth engagement, while many express feelings of political inefficacy and marginalisation. Policy implications call for stronger investment in civic education, mechanisms for youth-inclusive decision-making, and platforms that bridge online and offline participation to revitalise democratic trust and empower young citizens. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje istražuje građansko i političko sudjelovanje mladih u Hrvatskoj i Sloveniji, s naglaskom na trendove prije i nakon pandemije COVID-19. Na temelju anketnih i kvalitativnih podataka otkriva se trajno niska razina institucionalne političke angažiranosti, osobito u Hrvatskoj, gdje je povjerenje u političke institucije među najnižima u EU-u. Slovenski mladi pokazuju nešto višu, ali i dalje skromnu razinu izbornog sudjelovanja, pri čemu je generacijsko razočaranje vidljivo u oba konteksta. Istodobno su porasli neinstitucionalni oblici angažmana, poput prosvjeda, online aktivizma i mobilizacije oko pojedinih pitanja, osobito onih povezanih s okolišem, društvenom pravdom i korupcijom. Pandemija je ubrzala korištenje digitalnih alata za političko izražavanje, iako se digitalni aktivizam rijetko pretvarao u trajno offline sudjelovanje. Strukturne prepreke, uključujući nesigurna zaposlenja i slab građanski odgoj, dodatno ograničavaju angažman mladih, dok mnogi izražavaju osjećaje političke nemoći i marginalizacije. Preporuke za politike uključuju snažnija ulaganja u građanski odgoj, mehanizme za uključivanje mladih u donošenje odluka te platforme koje povezuju online i offline sudjelovanje kako bi se obnovilo demokratsko povjerenje i osnažili mladi građani.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Language: English. - Title in Croatian: Politička participacija mladih Hrvatske i Slovenije.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Youth participation, political engagement, civic education, digital activism, Croatia and Slovenia (sudjelovanje mladih, politička angažiranost, građanski odgoj, digitalni aktivizam, Hrvatska i Slovenija)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Depositing User:	Karolina
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2025 11:56
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2025 11:56
URI:	http://idiprints.knjiznica.idi.hr/id/eprint/1238

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