HDZ youth PGZ: We are creating opportunities for young people in Kvarner and Gorski Kotar with concrete measures

On International Youth Day, the youth wing of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in the Primorsko-Goranska Zagreb County (PGŽ) highlighted its efforts to create opportunities for young people in the Kvarner region and Gorski Kotar through concrete measures. As part of the theme “Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations,” the organization emphasized the importance of continued investment in education, employment, and affordable housing, key prerequisites for independent and quality lives for young people. The statement noted that young people in PGŽ share the same goals as their peers across Croatia, and therefore underscored the need to highlight specific steps taken by the Croatian Government. These include improvements in educational standards, reduced unemployment among youth, support for families with children, and policies aimed at making housing more accessible. In terms of education, the government has invested heavily in improving educational infrastructure, including free meals and transportation for primary school students. In Rijeka, there has been a notable increase in the quality of student life, with the minimum student wage raised to 6.56 euros per day and a non-taxable income limit set at 12,000 euros annually. Regarding employment, the county recorded historically low youth unemployment rates. Over 200,000 young people in Croatia have access to tax refunds on income, with 100% of those under 25 and 50% of those aged 25 to 30 receiving full or partial refunds respectively. Support for young families has also improved, with substantial funds allocated for kindergartens and one-day schooling. Parents benefit from increased allowances during parental leave, reflecting a broader commitment to family-friendly policies. Affordable housing remains a priority, particularly for young families in PGŽ. A new National Housing Policy Plan worth two billion euros and the Law on Affordable Housing have introduced measures such as tax returns on the purchase of the first property and regulation of long-term rental markets. These initiatives aim to ease the financial burden on young households seeking stable living conditions. Magdalena Arapinac, president of the Youth Wing of HDZ in PGŽ, stated that the organization continues to serve as the voice of the younger generation from Kvarner and Gorski Kotar. She emphasized that they listen to proposals from young people on the ground and work towards transforming these into tangible policies. Arapinac expressed gratitude to all young people in PGŽ who contribute daily to improving their communities through knowledge, work, and energy. The youth wing extended its best wishes to all young people in PGŽ and throughout Croatia on International Youth Day.