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Solidarity Economy in Croatia - The Case Study of City Split

Peter Utting states that “social economy was more typically associated with forms of social enterprises, community associations and ‘the third sector’ organisations, but solidarity economy emphasized the importance of alternative to the conventional profit maximizing firms, production and consumption patterns, market-led strategies and power relations” (ILO, 2014:149). RIPESS – as a leading worldwide network for “building and promoting the social solidarity economy” – also stresses the importance of “democratization and transformation of society” (RIPESS, 2014). Solidarity economy wasn’t familiar model to social actors, activists or public in Croatia. Until recently it was presented only through activities of Community Supported Agriculture Initiatives, and occasionally through specific acts of helping citizens in need. But from 2015 for the first time one social actor will use this concept as an identity mark and this is anopportunity for scientific research of this process, and its impact on local community.Therefore this paper will be grounded in qualitative research and will present a case study of town Split from the viewpoint of solidarity economy. Association MoST (The Bridge) from Split, the second biggest city in Croatia, is one of the seven‘Centres of Knowledge’ for social development in Croatia. Every Centre of Knowledge has its own area of work and responsibility, and MoST’s is social inclusion. They are well known in Croatia and abroad as one of the most dedicated and experienced organization that helps homeless people and youth with behaviour problems, for promoting solidarity in community and for concrete actions on the field. According to Ethan Miller (2005) solidarity economy has in its core work on education, community, energy, shelter, food and water, and health, which are all (besides energy) integral part of MoSTs work. They started to promote model of Solidarity City Split where with other actors and stakeholders in field they want to initiate solidarity economy concept in their city. Having this in mind, they represent good case for scientific research in the field of alternative economy development in Croatia. What are inner potentials and strength, obstacles and disadvantages for solidarity economy in Split will be our first research question? As of this year, there is unique opportunity to conduct acase study – solidarity economy in Split, because Association MoST founded a social cooperative START through which homeless citizens and youth with behaviour problems will, as cooperative members, run a small selling point for local eco-food.In this paper we will use qualitative methodology and present results from 20 semi- structuredinterviews with most active members of Association MoST and cooperative START. Paul Israel Singer stated how “solidarity-based economy represent a model for inclusion in the labour market of people with socio-economic disadvantages, moving away from a welfarist logic and moving in the direction of social, economic and cultural integration. “ (ILO, 2014:36).We will test this statement on researching synergy between association MoST and cooperative START. Association MoST works in unfortunate circumstances: level of unemployment in Split is above 15% with devastated productive and industrial sector. There is also low level of trust in local society and local government. If Luis Razeta sees solidarity economy as a „civilizing project“ (ILO ; 2014), that our task is to analyse how MoST’s will “civilize” Split. All if this was followed by support from state level where National Foundation for Civil Society Development (NFCSD) opens tender “New models of supporting good/solidarity economy”. This is specific institutional framework from Croatia, because NFCSD opened call for applicant gathered in platforms that have at least 10 different legal bodies or institutions. This will give us an opportunity for scientific reflection regarding aims, goals and outcomes of this experimental relationship between government and grassroots initiatives, structures and processes.

social and solidarity economy; civil sector; social cooperatives; homeless; youth; food.

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