Secondary schools across Croatia are reporting promising results from the Lions Quest: Skills for Action and Service-Learning programs, following a two-year implementation and evaluation period supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and the Education and Teacher Training Agency (AZOO).
This initiative aims to strengthen social-emotional competencies, civic responsibility and life skills education — key pillars of LCIF’s program and UNODC’s youth prevention work.
Positive Impact on Students and School Communities
Implemented during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years, the Lions Quest programs were embedded into schools’ official preventive curricula and delivered by trained social pedagogues. Students engaged in experiential activities, including service-learning projects that empowered them to identify and address community issues.
I was proud during the program. Proud of the students, proud of the results and proud of the visible change in the relationships of everyone involved.
An independent evaluation presented in June 2025 found statistically significant improvements in students’ social-emotional skills among program participants. In contrast, control group students showed no similar gains, with some experiencing a decline in self-confidence. Improvements in classroom dynamics, student cohesion and teacher-student relationships were also observed.
“The greatest and most valuable benefit I would emphasize is the strengthened friendship between the students in the classroom. In several schools, the project has triggered a chain reaction of enthusiasm and commitment from teachers and students,” one facilitator shared.
Another facilitator reflected: “The experience of participating in this program reminded me and reaffirmed why I love my students.”
The positive outcomes of the project go beyond the effect on students. Many facilitators also reported professional growth, improved collaboration among staff and stronger links between schools and local communities.
Scaling for Sustainability and Regional Impact
To prepare for a national scale-up, 12 future trainers completed a Training of Trainers (ToT) led by senior facilitators from South Eastern Europe. Participants gained practical skills to deliver interactive, resilience-focused life skills education.
In parallel, an updated Croatian-language facilitator manual is being finalized, complete with worksheets, teaching aids and digital tools. Set for release by July 2025, the resource will support new educators and ensure consistency in program delivery.
Croatia’s experience stands as a model for integrating life skills into education systems through evidence-based, collaborative approaches. With strong evaluation results and broad support from schools, the initiative is now positioned for regional dissemination —reinforcing UNODC’s goal to build safer, healthier and more inclusive communities across South Eastern Europe.
As one facilitator concluded: “I was proud during the program. Proud of the students, proud of the results and proud of the visible change in the relationships of everyone involved.”
Learn more about UNODC’s work on education, prevention and youth development in South Eastern Europe.
Zana Glavendekic, regional advisor, project coordinator, Belgrade UNODC Programme Office
