Društvo Potrošačica, in partnership with Društvo Potrošača Međimurja, Verbraucherschutzverein and associated partner Centro Tutela Consumatori Utenti, is launching the European project ACT4Consumers – Capacity & Tools for Collective Actions.
The project is implemented with the support of the European Union under the SMP-CONS-2025-ADR-RAD programme, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of consumer protection organisations and improving the system of collective consumer protection in Croatia.
Why does this project matter?
Although Croatia has transposed Directive (EU) 2020/1828 on representative actions into national legislation, collective protection of consumer rights is still rarely used in practice. On the one hand, consumers are not aware of the possibility of enforcing their rights collectively; on the other, the organisations authorised to bring representative actions often have limited resources and little practical experience.
ACT4Consumers focuses precisely on:
- strengthening the expert and operational capacities of Croatian Qualified Entities
- educating consumers about their rights
- exchanging experience with partners from Austria and Italy
- developing practical tools and guidelines for implementing representative actions
What will the project deliver?
During the project, the partners will carry out:
- trainings and workshops for consumer protection organisations
- an analysis of the implementation of the Representative Actions Directive in Croatia and Austria
- a practical guide for implementing collective consumer protection in Croatia
- public information and awareness-raising campaigns
- study visits to Austria and Italy to exchange experience and good practices
European cooperation and exchange of experience
The Austrian partner Verbraucherschutzverein brings significant experience in collective consumer protection and strategic litigation, while the Italian partner Centro Tutela Consumatori Utenti will host a study visit in Bolzano, giving the Croatian partners insight into the practical implementation of collective protection systems in other EU Member States.
The project will contribute to better cooperation between consumer organisations at the European level and to strengthening citizens’ trust in the mechanisms protecting their rights.
Long-term goal
ACT4Consumers aims to contribute to a more effective, more visible and more accessible system of collective consumer protection in Croatia. Through education, international cooperation and public information, the project will help consumers recognise and exercise their rights more easily.
The ACT4Consumers – Capacity & Tools for Collective Actions project is co-funded by the European Union under the Single Market Programme. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.