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.
On Monday February 15th, Crodiaspora, PwC Croatia, and Imelum in cooperation with the Canadian Croatian Chamber of Commerce organized a webinar detailing information about EU funds available in Croatia from 2021-2027. Niko Letilović, Neven Habunek and Goran Šaravanja answered questions and clarified upcoming EU funds availability and use.
An important point to highlight is that EU funds are not just available to those in Croatia, those that are residing outside of Croatia may also benefit from EU funds. This is an opportunity for Croats abroad to take advantage of this source of financing and to interact economically with their homeland.
Webinar:EU funds
Since Croatia will be the biggest net recipient per capita of EU funds from 2021-2027, there was a great deal of information that was addressed in this webinar. Below is a compilation of some of the many topics that were discussed:
To Watch Goran’s part of the presentation click here.
Goran Šaravanja, Director of Imelum, introduced the webinar by highlighting the macroeconomic boost that financing from the EU has brought to the Croatian economy. Before Croatia was able to access EU funds, growth was mostly financed by foreign held debt and ergo Croatia had a massive current account deficit. Since 2014, Croatia has had a continuous current account surplus correlating with the influx of EU funding available to Croatia. Goran does not credit this solely to EU structural funds, but it is one of the primary changes that helped Croatia come out of its recession and eased reliance on foreign debt.
Since EU accession Croatia has enjoyed an average GDP growth of 3%, also the levels of foreign debt decreased partially due to EU funds. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic in the first 10 months of 2020 privately held foreign debt came down by 1.3 billion euros. Additionally, contrary to public criticism about Croatian exporting capabilities, Croatian exports have risen over 50% since joining the European Union. Goran points out that goods exported were minimally affected in 2020. He continued to say that services, such as those offered in the tourism industry, were hard hit which made Croatia’s average export numbers plummet.
In conclusion, Goran says, by receiving EU structural funds Croatia was able to balance its current account deficit, lower Croatia’s dependence on foreign debt and decrease Croatia’s privately held debt. This helped Croatia’s economy grow in a more sustainable fashion. Compared to the previous financial crisis of 2008-09, Croatia’s balance sheet is much more robust with debt to GDP ratios well below 100% and this will continue to decrease due to the next round of EU funds being provided. The amount of 24.4 billion euros is nearly 50% of Croatia’s GDP in 2020. Considering all economic indicators, economic growth seems imminent for Croatia in the next multiannual financial period.
Review of EU Budget Packages
To watch this part of the presentation click here.
Neven Habunek, an EU funds expert from PwC, outlined the financial instruments that are available to the private sector and the government of Croatia. The EU provides funds in a 7-year framework. The European commission allocates the budget to each member state according to certain needs. Those who are below the EU average are a net recipient of EU funds. Due to the COVID-19 crisis the EU has introduced a new assistance package called, “Next Generation EU”, which will significantly help Croatia over the next 7 years.
The Next Generation EU fund holds just over 750 billion euros that is available for member states. The money that is allocated to the Next Generation EU fund is intended to go to the recovery and resilience facility. Each member state needs to make a recovery and resilience plan with concrete financial indicators allocating the fund for differing purposes.
Croatia between 2021-2027 will receive 24.4 billion euros which is more than twice the amount received in the previous multiannual financial period. In addition to the 24.4 billion, Croatia still has money left from the previous multiannual financial framework. Each fund has a timeframe of 3 years provided to allocate most of the funds, then an additional 3 years to complete allocation of those funds.
Croatia’s biggest challenge will be allocating the Next Generation EU fund which requires 9.9 billion euros to be allocated within the next 3 years. It is predicted that the Next Generation EU funds will be mostly allocated to public projects. From the 14.3-billion-euro multiannual financial framework, the Croatian private sector will have the most to gain as the European commission has suggested that most of these funds will be allocated into private sector grants.
One technique known as overbooking was clarified. Overbooking is a technique that EU fund ministries use to ensure that the greatest amount of money will be allocated for a particular program. Neven gave an example of this concept in which the allocated funds in multiannual financial framework for Croatia was 10.73 billion euros in 2014-2020. Allocated funds of over 113% were contracted (meaning those who applied for the funds and won the tender), while only 47.16% were declared and 40% were certified. Certification means that the government declared the allocation and certified the statement of expenditure.
Progress of the Republic of Croatia in the Programming of EU Funds
As Neven explains, currently the government is planning and proposing amounts for the national recovery and resilience plan. The deadline for submitting the plan to the European commission is the 30th of April and the final plans should be known to the public in the months following. When working with multiannual financial frameworks, the government needs to create programs which detail financial indicators that best distributes the money provided.
What Neven highlights from the last multiannual financial framework is that Croatia did not have enough quality investments which ultimately resulted in Croatia not fulfilling their potential in using all the allocated EU funds. As the government is working to plan EU fund allocation, Neven says that Croatians abroad thinking about investing in Croatia have an advantage in being able to plan their investments ahead of time due to the EU funds framework. Croats abroad should follow the developments of where funds are planned to be allocated and participate in September 2021 when there will be a public consultation about the proposed plans.
Niko Letilović, also an EU funds expert at PwC Croatia spoke extensively about the breakdown of the EU financial instruments. The European Structural and Investment Funds are broken down into 5 financial instruments: The Cohesion Fund, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, Maritime and Fisheries Fund and Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The main financial instruments that concern businesses in Croatia is the European Regional Development Fund which supports innovation, SMEs, the digital agenda, and the low carbon economy.
The other regional policy funds are the Cohesion and European Social Funds. The Cohesion Fund is available to Croatia since this fund is targeted for countries whose GDP per capita is less than 90% of the EU average. The European Social Fund is the main tool for social mobility in cases such as helping people get a better job, access to higher education for at risk groups etc.
Institutional Framework of the Republic of Croatia
In Croatia, the most important government body concerning EU funds is the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds. This body is further divided into 3 main compartments: 2 compartments include the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The first compartment of the Ministry of Regional development is further divided into intermediary bodies. the intermediate bodies are: The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, Central Finance and Contracting Agency for SMEs innovation and investments and Environmental Protection and Energy Fund. The second compartment of the Ministry of Regional Development intermediary bodies includes: The Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Office for the Cooperation with NGOs, Croatian Employment Service, and the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. For the Ministry of Culture there is one intermediate body, which is the Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development (PAAFRD).
In the 2014-2020 period, there was 10.7 billion euros that were distributed to Croatia. Niko highlights that in the pre-accession period before Croatia became a member of the European Union, Croatia was receiving funds from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). In 2012 Croatia received 156 million euros. Assistance from the EU drastically increased when Croatia entered the EU in 2013 where Croatia received over 1 billion euros in 2013 alone. The amount that Croatia has been receiving from the EU has seen a steady yearly increase. The increase in 2021 is expected to double the amount seen in the past 7 years combined.
There are two different types of EU project proposals. There are temporary and permanent calls. Temporary calls are when the tender is open for a short period of time and the person who has the so called “fastest finger”, is most likely to win the proposal. Opposite to that, permanent calls are when all projects that are submitted after a specific time are collected and are considered based on quality rather than on chronological order.
Each call has a certain cap in terms of the amount that can be allocated. An example would be in the Energy Efficiency call, the maximum possible amount of grant awarded per project was 2.7 million euros in the 2014-2020 framework. Niko highlights the co-financing rate is based on the size of a given business: a larger enterprise, the co-financing rate is usually smaller but smaller enterprises usually have a bigger co-financing rate. This is likely due to financial risk associated in investing in smaller companies.
The project proposal should be completed and submitted through the eFunds system and usually contains the following documents: specific application form for the grant, business plan, applicant statement, infrastructure component of the project (if it is construction-permits, architecture other needed documents), bank statement and letter of intention from a bank, and there may be additional documentation such as court documentation, annual financial report etc.
The usual time frame from the application process to the last post allocation reporting is about 5 years. The application deadline is usually 3-6 months from the first call, another 4 to 6 months for the project selection committee to select a project, then once chosen there is a 1 to 2 month window to sign the general grant agreement. After the agreement is signed it takes up to 24 months for project management preparation and procurement procedures to be settled. After the project is done there is a final audit of the project and after 5 years there is another post-mortem reporting of the projects results.
Additional Questions
In addition to the 45-minute presentation by Imelum and PwC Croatia, there were many questions that were posed by the audience. To listen to the question-and-answer session click here.
Concluding Remarks
Goran: “My final thoughts is that this is a net positive. Clearly there are a lot of opportunities. You need to do your homework but when I got here 20 years ago and, you saw it in one of Niko’s slides, where we were getting 100-150 million a year [Euro, financing from the EU] and then it has gone up 10- fold. The first slide I showed you, the secondary balance where the transfers come through it is not just EU funds. It is a positive story it is all about the way you approach issues. Clearly there is lots to do which is why people like yourselves are here to hold someone’s hand and make sure they go through the process properly, but there are many more opportunities here than there were 20 years ago.”
Neven: “We need to be proactive. Seven years ago, we reacted like we just received this information but now we are facing an opportunity to plan the next seven years. We together have an opportunity because we can fill the system with projects and there will be more reactions to us registering for projects. Start to prepare your project ideas, start to build your project pipelines, start to get in touch with local consultants, potentially with us, and try to see how we can prepare your companies to be efficient in procuring and using the funds most effectively.”
Niko: “I would just like to end on a positive note. As Neven and Goran mentioned, there are a lot of opportunities. This will be a really good period for Croatia, and we cannot do it by ourselves in Croatia so we would like to use this opportunity to ask all of the Crodiaspora, I also have some relatives in diaspora, to join us on this journey because we really think that only together, we can win this situation.”
John: “I’ll just add one more thought myself to close it up. In the words of Wayne Gretzky, a famous Canadian hockey player, ‘you will not score on 100 of the shots you don’t take.’ So, you must try. If you do not take the shot, you won’t score. The future does look right, all four of us are here and we’re trying to present objectively, I think, a very positive image of Croatia and rightfully so. I think things can be done here so why not here as compared to anywhere else around us?”
Ethnographical works have been written about how peoples’ traditions comprise an intricate part of their identity. Tradition creates a sense of belonging, a kind of trademark of who a person is, where he or she hails from. An ethnographer researches and studies a particular group of people in an effort to understand them and describe them to others. For Croats, fortunately, the studies are plentiful and are carved in what many of us consider that metaphorical 7th century stone. Tradition shapes who we are today. It defines who we are likely to become in the future.
I can look back at my own experience. I was born in the Canadian north. My parents immigrated in the late 1950s and settled in a railroad hub city where forestry, pulp and paper were the main industries. In the far reaches of northwestern Canada, with no Croatian Sunday school, how did I grow up being such an enthusiast of Croatian language, tradition and especially folklore and crafts – most everything “šlingano i vezano”? Well, for starters, my mother taught me a lot. Our small Croatian community in the north had a folklore group – we were taught by a schoolteacher of Scottish heritage. We were far from perfect but I can honestly say that her passion, research and resources opened my eyes to the wonderful world of Croatian folklore. It introduced my spirit to song, dance and beautiful crafts that would lead me down a path of future courses later on in Croatia, the most memorable being a week-long workshop that I attended on the island of Brač.
Let’s face it, we don’t just choose a craft. The craft chooses us, and lures us to pursue it.
Artisanal pursuits with a purpose
I am sure Tomica Milićević will agree. Better known as “Tomica Kolovrat” to his friends and clients, he is a true “maître” of everything related to creating incredibly beautiful Croatian folklore costumes (“nošnje”). Crodiaspora is happy to dive a little further into his enterprise that has been met with enthusiasm abroad.
We had the pleasure and privilege to meet Tomica in his Velika Gorica workshop in 2020 when we came to pick up an additional costume for our own folklore group back in Mississauga. A year earlier our group ordered an entire set of costumes which Tomica successfully created and shipped to us from overseas. My curiosity, naturally, was peaked and I had to meet this person. We left his workshop absolutely impressed with what we saw.
A self-taught expert in Croatian folklore and costume design, he creates masterpieces and is overly modest when praised for his talent. “I just grew into it” he casually says. “I started learning as a teenager making costume items for my folklore ensemble, and kept going. It’s a full time family business now, and my daughter is my apprentice”.
Throughout the conversation, I kept wondering if I could take courses directly in his workshop. After all, there is the šlinganje that I never did master.
“No problem”, he casually waved, “we can teach you”.
Ground zero of Tomica Kolovrat
Tomica is an instructor and costume creator for Folklore Ensemble “Turopolje” in Velika Gorica. He and his group had the great fortune to inherit a small community centre which hosts a large hall downstairs and workshops and offices upstairs.
On permanent display in the hall are costumes from all parts of Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina which Tomislav himself created.
Upstairs in his workshop is every tailor’s thread and tool. For wool vests or socks, Tomica has a spinning wheel to spin pure wool. A large traditional loom rests in the corner which he uses to weave yarns and threads into tapestries.
Some might think that old fashioned methods are primitive. On the contrary, Tomica’s methods are sophisticated because they require knowledge, skill and technique. It’s a perfect example of revitalizing crafts that are seldom seen anymore.
While he employs all traditional hand-embroidery techniques, a trademark of Croatian costumes, he also uses his vintage Singer machine. No software or electrical cords required – it’s powered by operating a foot pedal
A quick look at the ease with which Tomica handles his sewing machine also demonstrates his confidence and expertise.
Supply and Demand of Croatian Costumes
Members of diaspora folklore groups will know how dear it is to get unique and detailed costumes made. The demand is certainly there. A genuine affinity for traditional costumes is what fostered Ðuro and Tomica’s longtime alliance in creating costumes. Ðuro Grbić is an alumni member of the folklore ensemble “Marko Marojica” from Župa Dubrovačka, just south of of Dubrovnik. He’s also a member of our Mississauga group. Though he currently lives in Canada, Ðuro visits his hometown of Mlini every year at Christmas and stays on for the traditional celebration of the Feast of St. Blaise.
We’re back to that word: tradition.
In spite of a bleak atmosphere of covid everywhere, Tomica and Ðuro were able to collaborate via long distance to create this beautiful costume from the Dubrovnik region – right in time for the St. Blaise celebration.
The feast of St. Blaise – February 3rd
Celebrated in Dubrovnik since the year 972, the Feast of St. Blaise (“Festa Svetog Vlahe”) is uniquely special since he is the city’s patron saint.
The celebration begins the day before, on February 2nd, as “Kandelora” or Candlemass is celebrated to mark the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Then on February 3rd, St. Blaise’s relics are ceremonially carried across Dubrovnik’s main Stradun in the old town and city streets, while a baldachin carries the greatest of all relics, the shroud of Jesus.
In spite of covid restrictions, the celebration carried on this year with safeguards and social distancing measures in place. Photos from previous celebrations show the splendor of the day. It is no wonder that people like Ðuro make the trip home every year to participate in this celebration with old friends.
Because, you know… It’s a tradition.
Crodiaspora is happy to have provided this spotlight on small businesses in Croatia and their valuable contribution to the diaspora. We look forward to providing more spotlights in the coming months.
By Peter Bury, Editor at Crodiaspora and Politicorp
As all Croatians know, our diaspora is one of our greatest strengths. With about as many Croats living abroad as there are domestically, there are leaders of Croatian descent spearheading innovative and extraordinary efforts across all industries on a global scale.
This year’s virtual Crodiaspora Summit highlights the global perspectives of several well known and successful Croatian professionals across key industries.
Looking first to the present circumstances, people around the world are finding it increasingly necessary to support well-equipped medical and healthcare systems. On this subject, former Vice-President of Johnson & Johnson, Fred Hrkać shares his insight on the strength of Croatia’s medical infrastructure, particularly in its first years of independence.
Beginning his time there in 1992, Hrkać speaks to the reliable techniques adopted by Croatian doctors and surgeons during the War of Independence, much of which he says was even more advanced than that of some western nations at the time.
Now, almost thirty years removed from declaring independence Croatia’s medical aptitude is as good as any when it comes to routine practices and procedures. The only flaw in it comes with the fact that being such a small nation, the infrastructure is not always adequate in treating very rare diseases and conditions. Even considering that, Croatia is well enough connected in Europe and North America, allowing for Croatians with rare or uncommon conditions to receive the treatment they require abroad.
Shifting focus to real estate and tourism development in Croatia, Davor Lukšić, CEO of Lukšić Grupa sheds light on the potential for growth and expansion in the industry. Davor is also a key figure to look to as far as diaspora investment is concerned, as he is Chilean by birth but a proud Croatian by descent. As tourists have found, Croatia boasts an incredibly hospitable and accommodating environment which offers plenty of investment opportunity, especially for diaspora who are comparably well acquainted with the culture and highly motivated to see success in the country.
In order to facilitate investment in tourism and real estate, Lukšić suggests a more collaborative approach to the industries between public and private sectors. It is important that once potential investors have done their due diligence on prospective projects, they look to the public sector to address any concerns they may have.
It is also important for the public sector to recognize the interdependent nature of the public-private sector relationship. In acknowledging this, the public sector should provide favorable pathways through reforms or other supportive measures to ensure that key projects are completed efficiently without significant constraints or delays.
To consider a public sector perspective on Croatia, another member of the diaspora and former Prime Minister of Croatia Tihomir Orešković gives an overview of what development and progress looks like from the inside. Prior to entering politics, Orešković was CEO of Pliva, a key pharmaceutical player in Croatia, and he later became the CFO for Pliva’s parent company, Teva Pharmaceuticals.
From his experience working with Teva, Orešković points out Croatia’s strategic position in Europe as a key advantage to doing business there. Because of its proximity to major European markets and its domestic language diversity, Croatia provides a very well rounded work force with broad skillsets applicable to doing business on the international scale.
Tihomir Orešković (Photo credit: EU2016 SK/CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain)
From a government perspective, Orešković emphasizes that for the most part, public sector officials really are offering their best intentions and efforts for the country, but he goes on to say that there will always be inefficiencies with public sector operations. A unique anecdote that he shares refers to a time where he sat next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He asked the Turkish President how his country was able to unleash rapid economic growth in the first decade or so of the 2000s, to which he gave a response heavily crediting privatization for the economic successes. Coming away with this advice, Orešković indicates that it is important for Croatia to consider a similar strategy of privatization, allowing for privatized companies to cut down on inefficiencies and to promote competition in various industries.
Even considering the difficulties of doing business in Croatia, Orešković calls attention to the fact that people want to do business in places that offer high qualities of life, and Croatia epitomizes that. Some, especially in business often underestimate the central role that intangible factors like a quality of life has on leading a successful business or just a successful individual life, and that factor is precisely what has already attracted so many foreign corporations to invest in the country in spite of some bureaucratic difficulties.
Now looking at Croatia from an external perspective, President and CEO of CIBC, Victor Dodig stresses the great successes and progress that Croatia has made as an economy and independent nation in the last thirty years. It is important to understand that despite some of its bureaucratic obstacles that still exist there, having joined the EU and NATO as well as achieving a relatively positive economic profile within just thirty years of independence is a feat that is unparalleled around the world.
Still, with seemingly all the potential that any one country can ask for, Croatia has regulatory barriers and this an area in which Dodig suggests easing the bureaucratic burden in order to promote flexibility in the market and attract foreign investment. Dodig also points to the diaspora as an extremely valuable asset, also acknowledging the fact the the ‘Brain Drain’ exodus of young Croatian professionals is a liability that could be eased by proactive government action. He additionally doubles down on Croatia’s industrial strengths in tourism, tech, and agriculture, through which, if supported adequately by the public and private sectors alike, can provide various avenues to economic diversification.
Considering Dodig’s high profile in Canada and on the international stage, he has inevitably developed a more concrete idea of how Croatia is seen globally and its reputation among the world’s most influential people.
Speaking to his time attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Dodig explains that among the world’s major players, Croatia is seen in a broadly positive light but insofar as economic opportunities and investment prospects are concerned, the country has fallen short in terms of marketing itself internationally as a basin of potential. In a global world where every country is competing for capital, Croatia needs to continue to expand its messaging to foreign investors, and this can be facilitated by both public and private sector players.
Victor Dodig (Photo: CIBC)
As evidenced through the insights of the world class professionals featured in this panel, Croatian stakeholders must recognize the depth of potential that the country offers. This, paired with Croatia’s favorable role on the global stage as a member of the EU and NATO the future can be bright for the country as a whole. In order to ensure this promising trajectory, Croatian influencers across all industries and government must be responsible for mobilizing this message of economic potential to engage investors in the Croatian market.
Kao i mnogo puta do sada Hrvati izvan Hrvatske organiziraju i prikupljaju pomoć, ovoga puta za potresom pogođena područja. Putem društvenih mreža objavljene su mnogobrojne poruke i upute o mogućnostima pomoći.
Piše: Klara Špančić / Glas Hrvatske
Pokrenute su akcije prikupljanja financijskih sredstava za obnovu razorenih gradova Petrinje, Siska i Gline, svih sela i mjesta stradalih u snažnom potresu.
Hrvati diljem svijeta od Švicarske, Italije, Austrije Njemačke, Srbije, Slovenije, Bosne i Hercegovine, sve do Kanade, Sjedinjenih Američkih Država, Južne Amerike i Australije putem društvenih mreža obavijestili su o mogućim načinima uplate.
Mnogobrojne poruke podrške, apeli i suradnja sa zajednicama Hrvata diljem svijeta kruže društvenim mrežama kako bi se prikupila financijska sredstva za obnovu razorenih područja. Jedna od njih je i poruka predsjednika Savjeta Vlade Republike Hrvatske za Hrvate izvan Hrvatske, Ivana Grbešića, koju prenosimo u cijelosti:
”HRVATSKA DIJASPORA UJEDINILA SNAGE U PRIKUPLJANJU SREDSTAVA NAKON RAZORNOG POTRESA
Pratimo situaciju u Hrvatskoj nakon razornog potresa koji se dogodio u blizini gradova Petrinje i Siska te prouzročio veliku štetu i gubitke života. Naše misli i molitve odnose se na obitelji poginulih i ozlijeđenih, sve pogođene, kao i na one koji su prvi reagirali i koji nastavljaju u akcijama traganja i spašavanja.
Znamo da je velika šteta na domovima, bolnicama, vrtićima, crkvama i drugim zgradama, a mnoge obitelji su ostale bez vode, topline, električne energije i skloništa. Mnoge od tih istih obitelji, na području Banovine, također su teško patile tijekom Domovinskog rata.
Kao globalne hrvatske organizacije, ujedinjeni smo s Domovinom. U danima koji dolaze odredit ćemo mogućnosti u kojima će naša pomoć biti najznačajnija. Kao što je bio slučaj s naporima za pomoć tijekom potresa u Zagrebu početkom ove godine, sva prikupljena sredstva koristit će se za pomoć onima koji su najviše pogođeni potresom. U dogovoru s provjerenim organizacijama u Hrvatskoj, naši će predstavnici odrediti kako će se naša pomoć dijeliti.
– Udruženje hrvatskih američkih profesionalaca, Australsko-hrvatska gospodarska komora NSW, Australsko-hrvatska gospodarska komora i industrija Južna Australija, Kanadsko-hrvatska gospodarska komora, Hrvatska zaklada Windsor, Crodiaspora, Hrvatski Svjetski Kongres SAD, HAZUD – Hrvatska akademska zajednica domovine i dijaspore, Nacionalna federacija kulturnih zaklada Amerikanaca Hrvatske, Hrvatska gospodarska komora Viktorije, Zapadna australsko-hrvatska gospodarska komora”, navedeno je u Facebook statusu.
Internetska platforma koju je pokrenuo ACAP za Hrvate diljem svijeta s ciljem prikupljanja novčanih sredstava dostupna je na poveznici. Hrvati iz Kanade novac prikupljaju također putem internetske platforme na koju se mogu uplatiti donacije.
Većina hrvatskih udruga Hrvata izvan RH ima Facebook stranice na kojima su dostupni podatci o broju računa i načinima uplate.
U akciju prikupljanja humanitarne pomoći i novčanih sredstava uključene su i Hrvatske katoličke misije diljem svijeta.
Poruku podrške uputio je i državni tajnik Središnjeg državnog ureda za Hrvate izvan Republike Hrvatske, Zvonko Milas.
Izjava: Zvonko Milas
0:58
– Opet svjedočimo tome da nismo samo narod već obitelj. Posljednice niza potresa, uznemiruju nas sve. Smrtno stradali, ljudi koji spavaju na otvorenome, neizvjesnost i strepnja naša su stvarnost. Obavješteni smo i o pokrenutim humanitarnim akcijama koje je pokrenula naša globalna hrvatska obitelj u Bosni i Hercegovini, u iseljeništvu i u zemljama u kojima živi hrvatska nacionalna manjina. Ohrabrujuće je znati da iako smo daleko da nismo sami. Jedan narod, jedno srce, jedna Hrvatska – poručio je državni tajnik Milas.
Službeni račun Državne riznice za pomoć stradalima u potresu
– Zahvaljujemo svim našim sugrađanima koji su pokazali veliko srce, solidarnost i jedinstvo, ali još jednom apeliramo da se svi koji žele pomoći jave Crvenom križu i Ravnateljstvu civilne zaštite. Zbog velikog interesa i iz inozemstva, otvorili smo službeni račun Državne riznice za pomoć – objavio je premijer Andrej Plenković na Twitteru.
(Foto: Twitter/ snimka zaslona)
Pomoć za obnovu nakon potresa:
Na račun državnog proračuna primaju se financijske donacije namijenjene sanaciji šteta u Sisaško-moslavačkoj županiji te drugim područjima pogođenim razornim potresima.
Broj računa: HR12 1001 0051 8630 0016 0
Državni proračun Republike Hrvatske
s pozivom na broj odobrenja 5444-OIB uplatitelja.
Earthquake relief:
Account nuber: HR12 1001 0051 8630 0016 0
Bank: Croatian National Bank, Trg hrvatskih velikana3, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
Bic (swift) code: NBHRHR2XXXX
Beneficiary: Republic of Croatia – Ministry of Fiance, Katanciceva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ulice Petrinje su još pune ruševina, veliki broj objekata je oštećen/Foto: Hina
Hrvati iz Amerike i Australije pokrenuli su akciju kako bi pomogli Hrvatskoj nakon serije razornih potresa koji su pogodili Petrinju i okolicu.
“Pratimo situaciju nakon razornog potresa koji je pogodio Hrvatsku u blizinu gradova Petrinje i Siska te prouzročio veliku štetu i gubitke života. Naše misli i molitve odnose se na obitelji poginulih i ozlijeđenih, sve pogođene, kao i na one koji su prvi reagirali i koji nastavljaju u akcijama traganja i spašavanja žrtava.
Znamo da je raširena šteta na domovima, bolnicama, vrtićima, crkvama i drugim zgradama, a mnoge obitelji su ostale bez vode, topline, električne energije i skloništa. Mnoge od tih istih obitelji, na području Banovine, također su teško patile tijekom Domovinskog rata.
Kao globalne hrvatske organizacije, stojimo ujedinjeni s Domovinom i pozivamo druge hrvatske organizacije diljem svijeta da nam se pridruže u ovom poduhvatu. U danima koji dolaze identificirat ćemo mogućnosti u kojima će naša pomoć biti najznačajnija. Kao što je bio slučaj s naporima za pomoć tijekom potresa u Zagrebu početkom ove godine, sva prikupljena sredstva koristit će se za pomoć onima koji su najviše pogođeni potresom. U dogovoru s provjerenim organizacijama u Hrvatskoj, naši će predstavnici odrediti kako će se naša pomoć dijeliti.
Dosada su se priključili ovom zajedničkom poduhvatu slijedeće organizacije:
– Udruženje hrvatskih američkih profesionalaca
– Kanadsko-hrvatska gospodarska komora
– Hrvatska zaklada Windsor
– Crodiaspora
– Hrvatski Svjetski Kongres SAD
– HAZUD – Hrvatska akademska zajednica domovine i dijaspore
– Nacionalna federacija kulturnih zaklada Amerikanaca Hrvatske
– Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce NSW– Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry South Australia– Victorian Croatian Chamber of Commerce– Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce
Pozivamo naše hrvatske organizacija iz Australije, Južne Amerike i Europe da nam se priključe.
Jedino će zajedništvo Hrvata u Hrvatskoj, Bosni i Hercegovini i diljem svijeta pridonijeti boljitku naše hrvatske domovine i njenom unaprjeđenju svjetlijoj budućnosti. Znamo da će se Hrvati diljem svijeta odazvati kao što to uvijek čine kad je nas hrvatski narod u najvećoj potrebi.
Novčani doprinosi mogu biti dostavljeni putem stranice GoFundMe:
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
