The association Centre for the Culture of Dialogue (CeKaDe) in cooperation with partners (Norwegian Research Institute Fafo Research Foundation, City of Rijeka, Social Welfare Centre Rijeka, Association Creative Cluster Kombinat, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies of the University of Rijeka, Institute of Economics Zagreb, Society “Our Children” Gospić, the City of Gospić and Rotary Club “St. Vid” Rijeka) implements a three-year project titled “My place under the sun”, financed under the Programme “Fund for Active Citizenship in Croatia” (through the financial mechanisms of the European Economic Area and the Kingdom of Norway).

My place under the sun is a project worth EUR 180,116.31, and it is aimed at combating child poverty in the city of Rijeka and Gospić. Solving this complex problem requires different agents of change; cooperation between civil society organisations, public institutions, local authorities, the private sector and citizens. Therefore, the association CeKaDe is assisted by numerous partners.

Change is only possible if we deal with it at all levels, and during the three years of the project, (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023) various activities will be carried out.

First, a survey of 140 households with children living in poverty in the Rijeka and Gospić area will be conducted to find out how families cope with difficulties and whether current institutional strategies meet their real needs. In the light of the insights derived from the results of this research, recommendations will be provided in the new Development Strategy of the City of Rijeka.

This project is the basis for creating an inter-sectoral platform that will connect all important stakeholders in the fight against poverty in the City of Rijeka: local authorities, civil society organizations, the business sector, social services, public institutions such as kindergartens and schools and the Social Welfare Centre.

One of the first initiatives of this platform will be to connect public and private catering facilities with needy children for the purpose of donating hot meals, which also prevents excessive food waste at the local level. An important role in this will be played by high school students from Rijeka, who will learn how to advocate, implement and promote the model of donating hot meals in the long run as part of Civic Education.

Through volunteer engagement, citizens will have the role of direct support to children living in poverty through: learning assistance, interactive workshops (sewing, computer science, creative expression, cooking, music workshop, acting…) and participation in cultural activities (going to the cinema, theatre, museums, etc.) that would not otherwise be available to children from families in conditions of poverty.

In addition, professional psychosocial support will be constantly available to children and parents to help them cope with their difficulties.

The project “My Place under the Sun” is financially supported with EUR 143,000.00 by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway within the EEA and Norwegian grants.

The project results can be followed on the website of the programme My place under the sun and via the social networks Facebook and Instagram.