The research report “Implementation of Social Mentoring in Croatia: A Descriptive Report of Quantitative and Qualitative Research” has been completed. Its authors are Assistant Professor Dinka Caha, PhD, Professor Olja Družić Ljubotina, PhD, and Professor Marijana Kletečki Radović, PhD. The report examines how social mentoring is being implemented from two perspectives: the professionals who refer clients to the service and deliver it, and the recipients it is intended for.
The report brings together the findings of two studies. The quantitative study included 295 professionals from regional offices of the Croatian Institute for Social Work across all 21 counties, 97 of whom work as social mentors. The qualitative study involved interviews and focus groups with 24 recipients of the guaranteed minimum benefit.
The findings show that professionals understand the purpose of social mentoring and are willing to support it, but they rate its feasibility less favourably. Retaining recipients in the service is the central implementation challenge. Social mentors reported nearly 9,700 mentoring processes, and only 17.2% of these were fully completed. Professionals identify staff shortages and heavy workloads from other duties as the main barrier.
Recipients cite several barriers: health problems, distance from the office and transport costs, the stigma attached to receiving social assistance, and family responsibilities. Their engagement was supported most by an empathetic relationship with their mentor, a flexible approach, and a clear explanation of what the service offers.
Overall, the findings suggest that social mentoring is accepted as a valuable service but is not yet embedded in everyday practice. The barriers lie primarily in the conditions under which the service is delivered, rather than in the idea behind it. Drawing on these findings, the report also sets out recommendations for improving how the service is delivered.
