U 2021. god. studenti u zapadnom dijelu Kanade imali su prilike sudjelovati u pilot programu nastave hrvatskog jezika na daljinu.
Program učenja hrvatskog jezika za srednjoškolce organizirao je Croaticum – Centar za hrvatski kao drugi i strani jezik Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. U pilot programu nastava je izvođena na CEFR A1 i A2 početničkoj razini znanja, koje se priznaju kao izborni predmet stranog jezika u srednjoj školi. Sukladno tome, po završetku programa polaznici koji uspješno polože A2 tečaj, ispunjuju preduvjete za dobivanje srednjoškolskog kredita stranog jezika za 11. razred koji je priznat za prijem na Sveučilište Britanske Kolumbije i Simon Fraser Sveučilište.
Zahvaljujući uspjehu pilot programa, Croaticum će nastaviti program A1 i A2 tečaja na daljinu za srednjoškolce u zapadnoj Kanadi, a bude li interesa, proširit će ponudu tečajeva za naprednije razine poznavanja jezika. Crodiaspora Hrvatski Program, pod prijašnjim nazivom Hrvatski Program Britanske Kolumbije, intenzivno radi na širenju programa diljem svijeta kako bi svi zainteresirani imali prilike studirati jezik u Croaticumovim programima.
Ove školske godine u ponudi je početnički tečaj Hrvatskog jezika i kulture (A2.1 CEFRL razina) ponedjeljkom i srijedom od 9:00 – 10:30 navečer po pacifičkom vremenu, te napredni tečaj Hrvatskog jezika i kulture (B1.1 CEFRL razina) utorkom i četvrtkom 9:00 – 10:30 navečer po pacifičkom vremenu (PST). Za redovito održavanje nastave potrebno je minimalno 8 registriranih polaznika. Nastava počinje 3. listopada 2022., a završava 27. siječnja 2023. Predavači su certificirani profesori Croaticuma, sa Zagrebačkog sveučilišta. Cijena tečaja je 450 eura i dodatnih 50 eura za članstvo u Crodiaspora udruzi. Studenti koji ispune kriterije za stipendiju, mogu dobiti povrat novca za školarinu.
Rok za prijavu je 20. rujna, 2022. godine. Nakon registracije, prijavljeni su obavezni pristupiti testiranju poznavanja jezika, i na osnovu rezultata testiranja bit će predložen stupanj jezične razine za upis u Croaticum program.
Za dodatne obavijesti o registraciji, plaćanju i akreditiranosti, posjetite webstranice Croadiaspore FAQ page.
In 2021, British Columbia Croatian launched a pilot program to offer online Croatian language instruction for high school students in Western Canada. The course was delivered by Croaticum, Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb. The pilot program offered instruction at the CEFR A1 and A2 beginner levels. Students who completed the program could request that the course be listed on their high school transcript as an external course. In addition, students who successfully passed the course at the A2 level fulfilled the Language 11 second language admission requirements for admission into the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
Due to the success of last year’s program, Croaticum will continue to provide A1 and A2 level online language instruction to high school students in Western Canada, and provided there is sufficient interest, will expand their offerings to include more advanced language instruction. The Crodiaspora Croatian program, formerly known as British Columbia Croatian, is actively working to expand across the globe to benefit from Croaticum’s program.
This year, Croaticum will offer an online Beginner Croatian Language and Culture Course (A2.1 CEFRL grade level) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-10:30 pm (Pacific Standard Time) and an online Advanced Croatian Language and Culture Course (B1.1 CEFRL grade level) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10:30 pm (PST). A minimum of 8 students is required in each level for the course to proceed. Classes will commence the week of October 3, 2022, and will end January 27, 2023. Sessions are instructed by professors through the Croaticum program at the University of Zagreb. Tuition is 450 Euros and an additional 50 euros will be charged for Crodiaspora membership. Qualified Canadian high school students may be eligible for a scholarship.
The deadline to register for classes is September 20, 2022. Upon registration, students will be assessed for their level of proficiency in both oral and written language skills, after which they will be placed in either the beginner or advanced courses.
For more information about registration, payment and accreditation, visit the Crodiaspora Croatian FAQ page.
For more information about the program and to register, please visit the following websites:
Croaticumova ljetna škola hrvatskoga jezika i kulture traje 3 tjedna, a počet će 4. srpnja i završiti 22. srpnja ove godine.
Nastava će se pohađati preko interneta na Zoom aplikaciji. Ovaj program je namijenjen studentima u Kanadi koji su između 13 – 19 godina starosti.Hrvatski jezik učit će se 75 školskih sati, što obuhvaća jezičnu nastavu i govorne vježbe. Nastava će se odvijati po slijedećem rasporedu:
Zagreb 18 sati navečer
Ontario 12 sati – podne
Britanska Kolumbija – 9 sati ujutro
Croaticumova ljetna škola hrvatskoga jezika i kulture akreditirana je kao Hrvatski jezik i kultura te se nakon uspješnog završetak programa polaznicima izdaje potvrda o uspješno položenom ispitu omogućuje i stjecanje 4 ECTS-a boda.
Učenje hrvatskog jezika izvodi se na različitim razinama. Za upis se otvara početnička razina A1/A2 i drugi stupanj B1/B2. Završeni A1/A2 tečaj je ekvivalentan Francuskom jeziku za 11. razred srednje škole u Kanadi. Učenici će biti testirani prije upisa da bi se odredila njihova jezična kompetencija.
Registracija za upis je otvorena do 19. lipnja. Testiranje će se provoditi od 23. – 30. lipnja.
Za dodatne infromacije i prijave kontaktirajte:
Ana Bačić
Koordinatorica Hrvatske nastave za Kanadu edu.direct@yahoo.ca mobitel: 416-436-7140
The Croaticum Summer School of the Croatian Language and Culturefor Canadian High School Students, ages 13 – 18, will take place online from July 4, 2022 to July 22, 2022. The course will be taught by Croaticum – Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb.
The Croaticum program for high school students was first implemented in British Columbia in discussion with the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University which both have second language requirements for admission. High school students who successfully complete the course at the A2 level will have satisfied the admission requirements for UBC. The course also meets admission requirements for SFU. Students may request that the course is listed on their high school transcript as an external course. All students who successfully pass a level will receive 4 ECTS credits which are transferrable university credits.
This three-week intensive language program will run daily from Monday through Friday and will consist of three-hour sessions of four 45 minute language lessons plus additional lessons on pronunciation and Croatian culture.
The price of the course is 450 Euros. Upon receipt of funds from the Central State office for Croatian abroad (Središnji državni ured za Hrvate izvan Republike Hrvatske), qualifying students will receive a scholarship from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, BC Chapter. Scholarships will be equivalent to 225 Euros. The number of scholarships awarded will completely dependent on the amount of funds received from the Ured. Scholarships will be awarded on a first come first serve basis to qualified enrolled students.
Students who successfully complete the programme will receive a certificate and 4 ECTS credits. The certificate can be presented to the student’s high school to be included as an external course on the high school transcript. Students can also transfer ECTS credits to university credits at a Canadian university. To complete the programme successfully, students must attend the classes regularly and pass the final test.
Language lessons will be delivered via Zoom according to the following schedule:
Zagreb: 18:00 – 21:00
Ontario: 12:00 – 15:00
British Columbia: 9:00 – 12:00
Enrolling students will be assessed for their language proficiency and enrolled in an appropriate level.
For participation, a computer with a functional camera and a microphone is needed as well as a good internet connection. Students who do not meet these prerequisites will be unable to participate and fees will not be refunded.
All course materials will be provided by the teacher.
In order to apply for the programme, please send a completed application form by June 19, 2022.
Students will receive a link to an online test that will be used to assess their language proficiency. The test must be completed by June 24. Groups will be formed based on the results of the test. A minimum of 8 students of similar proficiency is needed for the course to proceed.
Following the language assessment and group assignment, students will be asked to officially enroll. Enrollment will be open from June 23 to June 30.The following must be received prior to June 30.
a scan/pdf or photo of students` photo ID card or passport
a confirmation of payment
After all documents have been received, students and their parents will receive a contract that must be signed in order to be registered in the course.
For further information, please contact:
Ana Bacic, Croatian Language Coordinator for Canada,
Ministry of Science and Education, Republic of Croatia
The Department of Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies (CENES) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) are happy to announce that the Croatian language, to be taught by the Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language of the University of Zagreb, (Croaticum), will be accepted as an element of the requirements for admission to UBC.
See the press release below and links for further information and application details.
Working in collaboration with the University of Zagreb, the University of British Columbia (UBC), UBC’s Department of Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia and Croatian community associations in Canada, an understanding has been reached to allow high school students in British Columbia to study Croatian through an online program delivered by Croaticum at the University of Zagreb. Upon successful completion of a course, students will be issued a certificate which can be presented to their high school for inclusion as an external course on their transcript. This program of studies will be accepted towards meeting the second language requirements for admission into UBC. Students who successfully complete a course will also be issued credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS credits are transferrable to university credits allowing high school students to earn credits towards their future university studies.
David Gramling Ph.D., Professor and Head of the Department of Central, Eastern, and Northern Studies at the UBC Faculty of Arts explains, “Less commonly taught languages like Croatian are no less important to us here in Canada and at UBC than are German, Spanish, or Mandarin. They house countless generations’ knowledge, experience, and meaning, and we cannot do without them. We in the Department, and in the Faculty of Arts, are eager to embark on this partnership, to embolden our commitment to engage and study Southeastern Europe in all its complexity, and to strengthen Croatian-speaking communities and opportunities in British Columbia.”
The Croatian course will be taught by Croaticum – Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language of the University of Zagreb. This accredited post-secondary institution will deliver a synchronous, interactive online course. Classes will be held Sundays at noon and will run from October to May. Croaticum, University of Zagreb, will issue a certificate following the successful completion of each course which lists the course level studied and grade level achieved. This document is then presented to the student’s high school for inclusion as an external course on the school transcript or submitted with a student’s university application.
Ana Bačić M.Ed., Coordinator of Croatian Language Programs in Canada, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia stated, “We are excited to provide BC secondary school students with both an avenue to study Croatian and to obtain a University of Zagreb certificate. One often finds a lack of Croatian language instruction for secondary school students in the diaspora, and this collaboration will address this gap. It will position BC with Ontario where Croatian has been taught in high schools since 1988.”
Darko Matovac Ph.D., Lector and Research Associate, Croaticum, Department for Croatian Language and Literature, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences explains, “Croaticum is the oldest and largest institution engaged in teaching, research and description of Croatian as a second, foreign and heritage language. One of the main missions of Croaticum is to actively assist the Croatian community outside the Republic of Croatia to continue to actively use the Croatian language, and to remain in living contact with Croatian culture. We are exceptionally proud to have the opportunity to participate in this project, and to add UBC to the list of universities we work with. We believe working with such a partner will enable us to achieve our common goal of strengthening the Croatian community in British Columbia, and to raise the visibility of the Croatian language.”
Katarina Tomas, independent regional community coordinator stated, “Language is not simply a means of communication, it is part of the identity of every person as an individual. Learning to speak Croatian outside the homeland is of great importance, as this is the only way to preserve our own identity. This newly established program to teach Croatian as a language in British Columbia is a promising step forward for future generations of the Croatian identity.”
Sessions will commence on October 17 and will be led by Croaticum instructors based in Croatia.
Vancouver, Britanska Kolumbija, Kanada, 23. rujna 2021. – U suradnji sa Sveučilištem u Britanskoj Kolumbiji (UBC), Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Ministarstvo znanosti i obrazovanja Republike Hrvatske i udruge hrvatske zajednice u Kanadi postigli su sporazum koji će učenicima srednjih škola u Britanskoj Kolumbiji omogućiti učenje hrvatskog jezika kao izbornog predmeta. Po završetku programa uspješnim polaznicima tečaja bit će dodijeljena diploma (potvrda) s 4 boda ECTS po Europskom sustavu prijenosa i prikupljanja bodova. Time će studentima biti priznat hrvatski jezik kao drugi ili strani jezik za prijem na UBC, i kao izborni predmet u srednjoj školi.
Program učenja hrvatskog jezika izvodit će Croaticum – Centar za hrvatski kao drugi i strani jezik Filozofskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. Ova akreditirana visokoškolska ustanova organizirat će sinkroni interaktivni internetski tečaj. Nastava će se odvijati nedjeljom u podne prema pacifičkom vremenu, od listopada do svibnja. Croaticum će po završetku tečaja izdati posebnu diplomu (potvrdu) o uspješnom završetku programa u kojoj će biti navedena pohađana razina i postignuta ocjena.
Odjel za središnje, istočne i sjeverne studije Sveučilišta u Britanskoj Kolumbiji (UBC) uzet će u obzir 4 ECTS boda za one studente koji uspješno polože Croaticumove tečaje za dobivanje kvalifikacije na njihovom fakultetu.
Dr. sc. David Gramling, profesor i voditelj Odjela za središnje, istočne i sjeverne studije na Filozofskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Britanskoj Kolumbiji, objašnjava: „Ovdje u Kanadi, ali i na Sveučilištu u Britanskoj Kolumbiji, rjeđe poučavani jezici poput hrvatskog nisu ništa manje važni od njemačkog, španjolskog ili mandarinskog. Oni su riznice znanja, iskustava i značenja nebrojenih generacija i bez njih ne možemo. Mi na Odjelu, ali i na Filozofskom fakultetu, radujemo se ovom partnerstvu koje će dodatno osnažiti našu posvećenost proučavanju Jugoistočne Europe u svoj njezinoj složenosti. Ujedno se nadamo da će ovaj program osnažiti zajednice koje govore hrvatski te im otvoriti dodatne mogućnosti u Britanskoj Kolumbiji.“
„Radujemo se što srednjoškolcima iz Britanske Kolumbije možemo ponuditi mogućnost učenja hrvatskog jezika i dobivanja diplome (potvrde) Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. U dijaspori često nema dovoljno tečajeva hrvatskog jezika za srednjoškolce. Ovom ćemo suradnjom oživiti hrvatske jezične programe u Britanskoj Kolumbiji i pozicionirati Britansku Kolumbiju uz bok Ontariju gdje se hrvatski jezik u srednjim školama kontinuirano uči od 1988.“, rekla je Ana Bačić, mag. ed., koordinatorica za programe na hrvatskom jeziku u Kanadi iz Ministarstva znanosti i obrazovanja Republike Hrvatske.
Dr. sc. Darko Matovac, lektor i znanstveni suradnik u Croaticumu – Centru za hrvatski kao drugi i strani jezik na Filozofskom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Zagrebu objašnjava: „Croaticum – najstarija je i najveća ustanova na kojoj se poučava te znanstveno i stručno proučava i opisuje hrvatski kao drugi, strani i nasljedni jezik. Jedna je od temeljnih Croaticumovih misija i aktivno pomagati hrvatskim zajednicama izvan Republike Hrvatske da se nastave aktivno služiti hrvatskim jezikom te da ostanu u živom kontaktu s hrvatskom kulturom. Zbog toga smo iznimno sretni i ponosni što nam se pružila mogućnost sudjelovati u ovom projektu te što popisu sveučilišta s kojima surađujemo možemo dodati i UBC. Vjerujemo da u suradnji s takvim kvalitetnim partnerom možemo postići zajednički cilj ojačavanja hrvatske zajednice u Britanskoj Kolumbiji te povećanja vidljivosti hrvatskog jezika.”
Ove školske godine nastava počinje 17. listopada i završava 15. svibnja. U školskoj će se godini nastava održati ukupno dvadeset puta, svaki put u trajanju od dva i pol sata, uz pauzu od 15 minuta. Dodatno, učenici će biti uključeni u projektnu nastavu.
“Jezik nije samo sredstvo komuniciranja, jezik je dio identiteta svake osobe. Učenje hrvatskog jezika izvan domovine je od velike važnosti. Samo tako možemo spasiti vlastiti identitet. Novoostvareni program učenja hrvatskog jezika u Britanskoj Kolumbiji je obećavajući korak za buduće generacije hrvatskog identiteta,” rekla je Katarina Tomas, profesorica hrvatskog jezika u široj regiji Vancovera, BC.
Za dodatne informacije o programu i načinu prijave posjetite ovu internetsku stranicu ili kontaktirajte sljedeće osobe:
Vancouver, BC, Canada, 23 September, 2021 – Working in collaboration with the University of Zagreb, the University of British Columbia (UBC), UBC’s Department of Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia and Croatian community associations in Canada, an understanding has been reached to allow high school students in British Columbia to study Croatian through an online course delivered by Croaticum – Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be issued a certificate which can be presented to their high school for inclusion as an external course on their transcript. This course will be accepted towards meeting the second language requirements for admission into UBC. Students who successfully complete the course will also be issued credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS credits are transferrable to university credits allowing high school students to earn credits towards their future university studies.
David Gramling Ph.D., Professor and Head of the Department of Central, Eastern, and Northern Studies at the UBC Faculty of Arts explains, “Less commonly taught languages like Croatian are no less important to us here in Canada and at UBC than are German, Spanish, or Mandarin. They house countless generations’ knowledge, experience, and meaning, and we cannot do without them. We in the Department, and in the Faculty of Arts, are eager to embark on this partnership, to embolden our commitment to engage and study Southeastern Europe in all its complexity, and to strengthen Croatian-speaking communities and opportunities in British Columbia.”
The course will be taught by Croaticum –Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb. This accredited post-secondary institution will deliver a synchronous, interactive online course. Classes will be held Sundays at noon and will run from October to May. Croaticum will issue a certificate following the successful completion of the course which lists the course level studied and grade level achieved. This document is then presented to the student’s high school for inclusion as an external course on the school transcript or submitted with a student’s university application.
Ana Bačić M.Ed., Coordinator of Croatian Language Programs in Canada, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia stated, “We are excited to provide BC secondary school students with both an avenue to study Croatian and to obtain a University of Zagreb certificate. One often finds a lack of Croatian language instruction for secondary school students in the diaspora, and this collaboration will address this gap. It will position BC with Ontario where Croatian has been taught in high schools since 1988.”
Darko Matovac Ph.D., Lector and Research Associate, Croaticum, Department for Croatian Language and Literature, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences explains, “Croaticum is the oldest and largest institution engaged in teaching, research and description of Croatian as a second, foreign and heritage language. One of the main missions of Croaticum is to actively assist the Croatian community outside the Republic of Croatia to continue to actively use the Croatian language, and to remain in living contact with Croatian culture. We are exceptionally proud to have the opportunity to participate in this project, and to add UBC to the list of universities we work with. We believe working with such a partner will enable us to achieve our common goal of strengthening the Croatian community in British Columbia, and to raise the visibility of the Croatian language.”
Katarina Tomas, Croatian Language Teacher| Coordinator in the Greater Vancouver Area stated, “Language is not simply a means of communication, it is part of the identity of every person as an individual. Learning to speak Croatian outside the homeland is of great importance, as this is the only way to preserve our own identity. This newly established programme to teach Croatian as a language in British Columbia is a promising step forward for future generations of the Croatian identity.”
Sessions will commence on October 17 and will be led by Croaticum instructors based in Croatia.
For more information about the program and to register, please visit the following website or contact us here.
Edward Bernays University College in Zagreb is offering two scholarships for its Experience Management in Tourism graduate study program. This two-year program in Zagreb will allow students to study in Croatia and equip themselves for a career in tourism.
Tourism in Croatia offers endless opportunities and incredible potential to grow and generate revenues. Bernays’ graduate program will engage students on a personal level and develop their creative ability to draw on Croatia’s unique cultural treasures. This approach is an extremely strong feature of the program, since it is Croatia’s charm that evokes tourists’ emotions, values and visions.
Exactly what vacation memories are made of.
With ever changing trends and lifestyles, consumer behavior is the force that determines the theoretical foundation of the program which balances two factors: the practical needs of the actual tourism sector and optimal consumer experience. During their studies, returnees will have the opportunity to hone their knowledge of Croatia as a competitive tourist brand, become more acquainted with creativity in tourism and gain the skills that will enable them to strategically approach the development of a destination.
Candidates must be 26 years of age or younger and an undergraduate degree is a prerequisite. Courses will primarily be taught in Croatian, with some courses in English. As such, candidates must possess at least B1 level of knowledge of English and A2 level of knowledge of Croatian (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR).
To get a rough idea of your competence of Croatian, click here and take the test. It’s not official, but it will give you an idea of your level:
Your application package must include the following:
· Short CV and motivation letter (up to 300 words) written in Croatian or English indicating why you wish to apply
· Copy of a valid travel document issued by your home country
· Proof of residence outside the Republic of Croatia
· Proof of belonging to the Croatian people - one of the following public documents of a candidate or parent or a long ancestor if it contains information on Croatian nationality: birth certificates, school certificate or copy of student register, index, workbook, military book, marriage certificate, death certificate, baptism certificate, decision on admission to Croatian citizenship under Art. 16 or 11 of the Act, a written statement of the head of diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia or the community / association of Croatian emigrants / minority.
· Proof of completed undergraduate and / or graduate studies (minimum bachelors degree - 180 ECTS)
· A letter of recommendation
Interested candidates are invited to submit their scholarship competition application via email to
The European Union has become center stage for one of the biggest global power struggles – the struggle over energy. Who will have access to reliable, efficient and a stable supply of energy as well as the lowest cost energy during the coming decades of energy transition? The stakes could not be higher. This struggle will determine whose industries and residents will prosper or falter. I predict the repercussions will be felt beyond the EU’s borders and significantly impact the future of the EU as well as NATO stability. The balance of power and sphere of influence could change in many countries bordering the EU and Russia yet, oddly, not much has been written about this power struggle.
On one side are the EU countries that have largely exhausted their domestic oil and gas reserves – Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and others. On the other side are the EU countries that have prolific hydrocarbon basins and yet have tremendous potential for new oil and gas discoveries and production – Romania, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia and others. It pits the wealthy EU countries against their poorer EU peers where energy poverty often results in the use of high polluting coal and wood. It pits EU countries that have grown wealthy by exhausting their own oil and gas reserves against EU countries that are highly underexplored and have often just scratched their oil and gas potential. It pits EU countries that are increasingly dependent on oil and gas imports against EU countries where energy security is taken seriously. In some instances, it pits countries that were invaded and occupied by their neighbors both historically and recently against those same countries that suffered the repercussions of invasion and occupation. It pits Germany and Russia against Central and Southeastern European countries.
George Kovačić
This power struggle can best be illustrated by outlining two competing visions of the EU energy transition. One vision is illustrated by the German-Russian alliance that is once again pressing ahead to complete their controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. This project will deliver annually 55 billion m3 or 1.9 tcf of Russian natural gas to Germany. It will ensure for the Germans a new reliable, efficient and stable supply of natural gas as well as provide German industry and residents with the lowest cost new energy supply. Nord Stream 2 will help compensate for Germany’s costly energy transition failure – Energiewende – and still allow the Germans to phase out nuclear power plants while maintaining their position as EU’s economic powerhouse. But at what cost? The completion of Nord Stream 2 will make Germany and the EU more dependent on Russian energy. The pipeline will cement Russia’s energy dominance over the EU for decades to come. Meanwhile, it will provide Russia with billions of additional Euros annually and a huge energy influence over the EU. It will also provide Putin with an economic boost as well as show Russian citizens and their neighbors that Russia’s invasion and annexation of parts of Ukraine has no negative long-term consequence.
The other vision is illustrated by Central and Southeast European countries (CSEEC) that have an interest to explore and produce their own oil and gas potential. If successful, the CSEEC vision would increase EU’s energy security, reduce energy poverty as well as help reduce pollution and address climate change. A debate is ongoing in the European Commission that will determine if CSEEC will be allowed to derive the same benefits from hydrocarbons as their wealthy EU peers. The debate will determine if natural gas will be classified as a sustainable investment under EU green finance rules and if the applicable guidelines will be technologically feasible. In addition, I argue that EU’s EIB financing for oil and gas projects should be continued post 2021 and until the energy transition advances to a point that the EU no longer requires oil and gas imports. Within its borders, the EU has regulations and oversight that will ensure energy transition as well as progress towards carbon-neutral oil and gas production. The EU has no regulatory ability to ensure progress towards carbon-neutral oil and gas production from Russia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere. CSEEC’s vision provides for the region’s oil and gas production to replace imports. The result is increased energy security for the entire EU and reduced energy poverty.
A recent Deloitte study*, helps illustrate why the CSEEC vision is the best option for the EU. The study estimates that offshore Romanian oil and gas will create tens of thousands of jobs and contribute over 7 billion USD annually to the Romanian economy. I predict the economic impact and opportunities will be larger than outlined in the Deloitte study and will be multiplied many times throughout the region. With the economic spillover effects the opportunities that will be created will be substantial and allow the region to derive similar benefits from hydrocarbons as their wealthy EU peers. For example, a secure and less expensive natural gas feedstock will both stimulate the development of modern fertilizer facilities as well as hothouses which in turn will help make regional agricultural competitive on a global basis. The region is already blessed with a favorable climate, massive water reserves and substantial fertile soil. Meanwhile, the same secure and less expensive natural gas will encourage residents and industry to switch from more polluting fuels such as coal.
Meanwhile, countless examples from CSEEC illustrate why the region’s vision is best to reduce carbon emissions and pollution. CSEEC oil and gas will provide less polluting fuel to replace high polluting coal and wood. The jobs and revenue created from hydrocarbon exploration and production will lead to higher standard of living as well as more money to pay for more expensive less polluting energy. Today, poorer residents in Bosnia & Herzegovina individually dig and burn some of the highest polluting coal as it is the only fuel source they can afford. In Croatia, some homeowners that had damaged chimneys after recent earthquakes were continuing to use their fireplaces even though they were given free electric heaters as the cost of electricity was too expensive. At the same time, in areas of the region where gas has replaced wood for cooking and heating requirements, forests have regrown and now provide carbon sinks.
By Peter Bury, Editor at Crodiaspora and Politicorp
Because Croatia is a still emerging economy, it is important to recognize that much of its corporate developments rely on public-private sector interaction. Last week, Crodiaspora held a webinar featuring John Gašparac, who is the country managing partner with PwC Croatia and newly elected Vice-President of Crodiaspora, and Jelena Drndić who is PwC Croatia’s head of public procurement.
Historically, Croatia’s public sector has represented up to sixty percent of its GDP, and although this figure is staggeringly high, the most effective way to bring balance to the Croatian economy is to build bridges between the public and private sectors. Especially in accommodation of the inflow of EU funding for certain projects, it is important that the government have plans in place to partner with private firms to fulfill these programs and developments.
Further, public procurement includes goods, services, and works, which can be used in small scale internal operations of firms or institutions all the way to the scale of public programs that are funded by hundreds of millions of euros.
Where to Find Projects?
Croatian public procurement is largely facilitated by the Electronic Public Procurement Classifieds, which is a public portal exhibiting the details of various procurements in attempt to attract qualified bids. Currently, the portal is only available in the Croatian language and thus poses some barriers for diaspora and foreign investors. The portal provides information on important aspects of procurement offerings including their respective contracting authorities, estimated values, conditions, deadlines, and proper documentation required to submit offers and proposals. Contract drafts are also sometimes offered. For a single person, registration to the portal costs 1,020 HRK while collective prices range up to 4,760 HRK for 30 people.
oglasnik (classifieds for public projects)
Who can bid on projects and how can you bid?
In Croatia, any individual, firm, or consortium, internal or external, can take part in procurement of goods, services, and works through the portal so long as they meet basic legal and taxation qualifications. The general procurement timeline can range from six to seven months, encompassing the initial consultations and spanning all the way through to implementation. The first month is typically spent on market consultations, while officials should be prepared to issue a call for proposals by month two. For the next two months, interested parties form proposals and prepare documentation for submission. Following submission, evaluation could take up to three months and is often done through an evaluation committee which assesses the viability of proposals and seeks out clarification if needed. Over the final months, results are released on the portal with appropriate minutes of the evaluations attached, and the signature of contracts precedes the commencement of procurement implementation.
Once an offer is accepted, guarantees are sought out for the offer, contract implementation, and for rectifying defects within the warranty period. Bank guarantees and financial deposits are both accepted. It is also important for companies to understand that unlimited liability of the contractor is applicable by law. Another thing to consider is that appeals are very common in the Croatian procurement process, particularly relating to the submission of proper documentation and ultimate deciding factors
How can PwC help?
In the Croatian public procurement process, PwC is a lauded facilitator in the preparation, proposal, contracting, and appeal processes. In providing a high-upside pipeline of opportunities for clients, PwC Croatia has the cross-industry connections as well as internal procurement professionals to secure the most success for bidders. Additionally, through experience and expertise, PwC is well equipped to facilitate the preparation and documentation involved in contracting and appeals.
Looking toward the future, there will naturally be an influx in procurement opportunities in Croatia given the fact that the EU funding plans for the years 2021 through 2027 are soon to be finalized. Even in this case, not all projects are taken through to private sector development, as some public entities are still involved in bidding on certain procurements so long as they do not face a conflict of interest. Nonetheless, once private sector involvement in the process grows, opportunities will be diversified, ultimately favouring competition and growth.
From a comprehensive outlook, this webinar is extremely helpful to all those looking to gain an edge in Croatian business and development. Applicable to members of the Croatian diaspora who hope to become investors in the near future, the details of public procurement processes will prove to be invaluable in improving public-private sector relations which are critical to business success.
For more information about Public Projects, contact Jelena at jelen.drndic@pwc.com
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