Among other issues, the Law introduces a definition of volunteering which differentiates volunteering from an employment relationship. It clarifies the conditions in which a volunteer contract is necessary and lists the rights and duties of both the volunteer and the host organization. As a result, volunteers will be able to clearly define their relationship with NGOs and other entities for which they volunteer. The Law was developed based on an analysis of the domestic legal framework and incorporates the European best practice principles in the field.
ECNL activities to support the development of the law were implemented under the USAID's Support for Croatia's Non-Governmental Sector (CroNGO) Project, implemented by the Academy for Educational Development (AED).