15 Jan Autumn in Lika

The RAISE Youth Project Croatian team of GTF-ISG and the City of Gospić organized the debut of the RAISE project during a popular local manifestation ‘Autumn in Lika’ that took place from October 4-6th in Gospić, birthplace of innovator Nikola Tesla and capital of the Croatian Region of Lika. Lika owes its international fame to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The annual event ‘Autumn in Lika’ is the most popular Croatian Autumn Fair, gathering 100+ exhibitors from the whole of Croatia, organized yearly by Lika-Senj County since 2007 to promote local crafts, businesses, and culture. This year Gospić was also the co-organizer of the fair.

The RAISE Team presented the project at the fair to the wider local population and numerous visitors including a Croatian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković accompanied by Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Marko Pavić. The RAISE Team also reached out to dozens of young people who showed interest in participation in the RAISE Project. This was also a unique opportunity for the RAISE Team to learn more about socio-economic circumstances in Lika and strengthen ties to local and national stakeholders.

The RAISE Project is based on enabling rural NEETS to reach their fullest potential through social innovation.  Lika has amongst the highest proportionate NEET rates in Croatia and is facing extreme depopulation.