Representatives of consumer protection organisations from Croatia and Austria gathered on 5 and 6 June 2026 in Brod na Kupi (Delnice) for the kick-off meeting of the European project ACT4Consumers – Capacity & Tools for Collective Actions.
The project is implemented by Društvo Potrošačica as coordinator, in partnership with Društvo Potrošača Međimurja and the Austrian organisation Verbraucherschutzverein (VSV), with the Italian organisation Centro Tutela Consumatori Utenti (CTCU) participating as associated partner.
Strengthening collective consumer protection
The goal of ACT4Consumers is to strengthen the institutional, expert and operational capacities of consumer protection organisations for implementing representative actions and other collective redress mechanisms in line with the Representative Actions Directive (EU) 2020/1828.
During the meeting, the partners discussed the current state of collective consumer protection in Croatia and the challenges faced by the Qualified Entities authorised to bring representative actions.
It was particularly highlighted that since the entry into force of the national legislative framework based on Directive (EU) 2020/1828, not a single representative action has yet been brought in Croatia. Participants also discussed past practice of collective consumer protection in Croatia, which was very limited even before the new rules were adopted.
The Austrian partner VSV presented its experience with collective actions and strategic litigation, along with examples of good practice from Austria. The partners exchanged views on how collective consumer protection could be applied more effectively and on the challenges organisations representing consumer interests face.
First project activities agreed
The first implementation steps were defined at the meeting.
The partners agreed to establish joint communication tools and project management procedures, including a shared digital space for project documentation and regular communication between partners.
They also discussed the project’s communication and promotional activities. It was agreed that social media posts will be published in the partners’ national languages as well as in English, to ensure the project’s visibility at the European level.
Društvo Potrošača Međimurja presented proposals for the project’s visual identity. After discussion, the partners agreed on refinements to one of the proposed designs, with the final version of the project logo expected in mid-June.
International cooperation and exchange of experience
A dedicated part of the meeting focused on planning the project’s international activities.
The partners expressed the wish to hold the study visit to the Italian partner CTCU in Bolzano from 3 to 5 September 2026, subject to the host’s confirmation. The visit will focus on good practices in collective consumer protection.
It was also agreed that the expert training organised by the Austrian partner VSV will take place in Vienna from 18 to 20 March 2027, while the study visit to Austria is tentatively planned for March 2028.
A shared project vision
During the meeting, the partners adopted a shared vision of ACT4Consumers:
To empower consumer protection organisations and Qualified Entities in Croatia to effectively use representative actions and collective redress mechanisms, and — through education, international cooperation and the exchange of good practice — to contribute to better protection of consumer rights and greater public trust in the system protecting them.
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.