Long-Term Support for Children Facing Poverty and Social Exclusion

The Problem

Not all children enter education on a level playing field. Low family incomes, geographical disadvantage, transport costs, and limited access to learning resources can undermine educational opportunities and well-being.

Research shows that, in Croatia, children whose parents have higher levels of education and more stable economic circumstances tend to achieve better academic results than their peers from lower-income families. These inequalities also influence educational pathways: children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to enter vocational (technical), as opposed to academic education, and face a higher risk of dropping out.

The Desa & Jerko Baković Fund focuses specifically on children in less-developed and rural communities, providing long-term scholarships to help ensure that socioeconomic circumstances do not negatively influence their educational opportunities.

The Solution

Established by SOLIDARNA Foundation in 2018 through a donation from 101 years old Desa Baković, the Desa & Jerko Baković Fund provides long-term, needs-based scholarships to children facing poverty and social exclusion across Croatia, with particular attention to less-developed areas such as Kordun, Banija, and nearby parts of Lika and Gorski Kotar.

At the heart of the Fund lies a simple principle: every child deserves the opportunity to develop their potential, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances or academic background. Unlike traditional merit-based scholarships, the Fund does not require academic excellence or maintaining a certain grade average. Instead, it provides predictable, multi-year financial support from the moment a child enters the program until they complete secondary school, without requiring them to reapply or prove their eligibility each year.

Children are referred by schools, local social welfare offices, civil society organizations, and care institutions. The selection process considers each child’s socioeconomic circumstances and the development index of their local community, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.

The Fund offers more than financial assistance. Alongside monthly scholarships, children receive continuous professional support and counseling tailored to their individual needs.

The Fund’s social worker and SOLIDARNA’s team work closely with parents, guardians, caregivers, and schools to identify challenges early and support children’s education, personal development, and well-being. Annual expert-led workshops also provide guidance to the adults who play an important role in children’s lives, strengthening the wider support network around each child.

Families use the scholarships to cover essential expenses such as food, clothing, school supplies, transportation, extracurricular activities, and, when needed, psychological support.

The Fund’s approach recognizes that equal educational opportunities require more than access to schooling: they require stability, continuity, and a supportive environment in which every child can learn, explore their interests, and build their future. By combining long-term financial security with individualized support, the Fund aims to reduce the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on children’s educational journeys and create safe environments where their talents and ambitions can develop.