As part of the implementation of the National Systematic Support of the National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society, the Croatian Federation of Dystrophic Societies (SDDH) and the Croatian Federation of Cerebral and Infantile Palsy Associations (HSUCDP) organized a joint one-day workshop for member associations from northwestern and central Croatia, Istria and Kvarner on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Varaždin under the working title "Joint Regional Workshop for Member Associations".

The workshop covered and presented the topics "Vertical and horizontal connections between associations", "Organization of associations and the current situation", "Responsibility in action towards membership and community" and "The operation of associations in new circumstances as service providers".

Introductory remarks were made to the participants by Marica Mirić, president of SDDH, Ivica Bašić, president of HSUCDP, and Ivan Vujec, president of the Varaždin Society of Persons with Disabilities, after which the working part of the workshop began.

Marica Mirić, president of SDDH, presented the topic to the workshop participants entitled Vertical and horizontal connections between associations where she presented the news and the role that associations have in 2024 through National Systematic Support, which relates to member associations. Also highlighted were funding opportunities for associations throughout the year, the position of associations as advocates, associations as service providers and the profiling of associations as entrepreneurs.

She pointed out that there are still many challenges ahead for the federations and associations, some of which relate to digitalization, assistive technology, artificial intelligence, a green, sustainable and solidary Croatia. She called on the associations to cooperate more closely and work on common interests, which relate to children with developmental disabilities and people with disabilities. SDDH expert Mirna Plećaš Ilić presented the topic entitled Organization of associations and the current situation in which she highlighted the role of association leadership, the activities of the association, and the importance of updated fundamental documents of associations in their work.

After the presentation, a Questionnaire was distributed to the participants in which the participants marked the documents they use in the work and activities of the association. The processed data from the Questionnaire will be presented after the completion of the cycle of Joint Regional Workshops for member associations. The topic entitled Responsibility in action towards members and the community was presented by Mirjana Markovinović, Executive Director of HSUCDP, in which she touched on the important elements of social changes that have an impact on associations of people with disabilities, attracting new users to their activities and services, all of which affects the progress of the association, and what resources are needed for the association to work and operate in a quality manner.

Ivica Basic, president HSUCDP opened a discussion on the topic Activities of associations in new circumstances as service providers with special emphasis on personal assistance, the process of which as a new right for persons with disabilities has begun in Croatia. In the dynamic discussion after all the presentations, the considerations, views and experiences of the member associations could be heard. The need for the continued support of the association towards its members was also expressed. At the end of the workshop, the participants filled out an Evaluation Questionnaire.

Representatives of nine member associations participated in the Joint Regional Workshop, who were also given useful literature and publications published by SDDH and HSUCDP.