engleski

Muddling through or System Approach: Building a Croatian Model of Integration of Refgees

Integration of refugees is wicked problem ; an inter-departmental task dealt with by different public organizations (ministries, agencies) on different governmental levels (national, local) and includes cooperation with different non- state actors. Croatia has rather recently started to develop its integration policy. Being a predominantly centralised country with dense network of state administration in the territory Croatia is lagging with effective implementation of comprehensive integration measures to refugees due to lack of horizontal and vertical coordination. In practice, integration of refugees is a combination of a “muddling through” approach and a system approach. The initial integration of refugees who were resettled to Croatia within the European programme of relocation and resettlement can be described as “muddling through” approach. It is characterised by ad hoc projects with limited time span, questionable outcomes and unclear lines of responsibility. Coordination is created through the voluntary and spontaneous action of public organizations and NGOs in integration. Lead organization is Ministry of Interior which in cooperation with International organization for Migration distribute refugees throughout Croatia in arbitrary manner without previous consultation with local communities. Many problems occur during initial integration: lack of coordination between different central state administration organizations and local self- governments, lack of communication with local communities, ignorance of basic procedures in public administration. System approach of integration of refugees use knowledge in policy formulation and political decision-making through Standing Committee for the Implementation of the Integration of Foreigners into Croatian Society and its Working Group. Main aim is to strengthen capacity of all stakeholders in integration process and create interconnectivity capacity for seamless government. Lead organization is the Office for Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The authority of the Office stems from the Law on International and Temporary Protection which stipulates that the Office coordinates the work of all ministries, NGOs and other bodies who participate in the procedure of integrating refugees into society. The aim of the paper is to analyse two approaches to integration of refugees in Croatia and problems that occur in the practice due to different approaches. It will also identify areas of potential improvement for effective integration of the refugees into the Croatian society encouring partnership amongst all levels of government (central, regional and level) and non-profit sector (NGOs).

integration, refugees, Croatia, public administration

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