engleski

VETERAN COOPERATIVES AS A SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In Croatia, cooperatives began to develop under the influence of cooperative practice, which came from Western Europe. At the beginning of the 20th century, cooperative organizations became a very powerful social movement, which had influence even on the national political situation. In the period of negative social and economic situation in Croatia while the economy is contracting, special attention should be devoted to the Croatian war veterans, the children of the killed, imprisoned and missing war veterans and the children of disabled war veterans who fought in the Croatian Homeland War, as a special group in the society. Therefore, in this paper, we have analyzed and explained the activities of the war veteran cooperatives. The analysis involved all veteran cooperatives in Croatia. Veteran cooperatives, as an example of positive practice, represent a huge potential for the development of social entrepreneurship. By involving the veterans population (especially veterans diagnosed with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder) in social entrepreneurship, the effect of occupational therapy is achieved. Factors such as psychosocial empowerment and social support of veterans play a major role in the efforts of reintegrating them to society and reducing the risk of social exclusion.

veteran cooperatives, cooperatives, social entrepreneurship, social exclusion

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