The program goal is to stimulate citizen activism and mobilize community resources to address critical issues facing Croatian communities. The Center for Civil Initiatives works with local community leaders and civic groups to identify community needs and implement long-term and lasting solutions. In addition, the center provides information, training, and consultations to a range of other local and international, nongovernmental organizations and the Croatian government on community organizing, organizational development, local resource development, and rural economic development. In 2008-2009, the center helped establish three cross-sectoral, regional development committees in its target counties; created a rural information center to support local farmers in the Gvozd municipality; worked with a university in Zagreb to develop a community organizing curriculum; and organized 53 one-day, capacity building workshops for local nonprofits. The center is based in Zagreb and works with other community development organizations in Croatia and in Central and Eastern Europe, including several Mott grantees.

This grant provides general purposes support to a leading nongovernmental organization in Bosnia-Herzegovina that promotes tolerance and understanding among youth; advocates for greater participation of youth in decision-making processes in schools and communities; and develops volunteerism among youth. Continued Mott support will enable the Youth Communication Center - Banja Luka to strengthen its organizational capacities as a leader in developing volunteerism, expand its work in secondary school councils throughout the country, and diversify its funding base. During the past two years, the center strengthened a network of secondary school student councils in the Republika Srpska, one of two federal entities in the country, and supported the development of local volunteer centers in ten municipalities. The grantee is based in Banja Luka, the capital of the Republika Srpska.