Sustainable Development of Croatia

The contemporary development of Croatia and the development dilemmas and problems of Croatian society show that the concept of sustainable development in Croatia is very current and its operationalization is necessary in the coming years. Therefore, we suggest continuing the work on this topic, which was initiated by the project “Conceptualization of sustainable development of Croatia” (0194203) in the previous period. We start from the knowledge that the ecological and socio-cultural sustainability of Croatian society in the context of transition is under pressure and under attack from processes that are beginning to threaten natural resources and the natural basis of life, and to reduce the crucial “difference” in the socio-cultural sense for the reproduction of identity. The political sustainability of Croatia in the sense of self-determination of the living and working conditions of the Croatian population, as well as the economic and entrepreneurial vitality and sustainability are also in turmoil in the context of transition and globalization. With the results of the work on the project, we want to contribute to the definition of development horizons in the spirit of integral sustainability and development articulations towards a Croatian “society fit for the future.” The goals and activities are as follows: A. Further theoretical reflections that will relate to: environmental crisis theories, the relationship between sustainability and identity, the relationship between Croatian identity and globalization, the role of civil society in the construction of modern identity and sustainability, “the production of OR actors”, the concept ” ecological footprint” and the topic “Croatian cultural heritage as a source of sustainable living”; B. Elaboration of the established matrix of dimensions of sustainability and OR (ecological, socio-cultural, economic and political) and elaboration of the associated indicators and initial set of variables; C. Calculation of the “ecological footprint” of Croatia; D. Empirical research of worldviews, values, ethics of sustainability and interests regarding (un)sustainability and OR of Croatian social actors in the three fundamental sectors of society, in state administration, civil society and the “world of production of goods and services”; E. Empirical research on the level of information and knowledge about individual dimensions and indicators of sustainability and OR of social actors in Croatian society; G. Creation of the National Education Program for Sustainable Development in Croatia (general part). Expected results of the work: 4 monographs – books, two doctoral theses, 20 original scientific papers, 20 professional papers and the study “National program of education for sustainability and OR”. The sociological development of concepts and criteria of sustainability and identity in the context of integration into the EU is becoming increasingly relevant and useful.