Milas: Croatia Is Throwing Its Doors Wide Open to Its Diaspora

Croatia is the homeland of all Croatians, regardless of where they were born or how many generations separate them from the land of their ancestors. That was the message delivered by Zvonko Milas, State Secretary at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, in an interview with Glas Hrvatske at the 9th Gathering of the Croatian Diaspora in South America, held in Córdoba, Argentina.

He noted that Croatia has invested approximately €2.8 million in projects supporting Croatian communities across the continent and announced continued support for preserving the Croatian language, identity and cultural heritage, as well as stronger economic ties with the diaspora.

Milas said the gathering in Córdoba demonstrates the strong connection between Croatians in South America and their homeland, despite the fact that many families left Croatia more than a century ago.

He was particularly moved, he said, by a recent visit to the Croatian community in Chile, where he attended a ceremony granting Croatian citizenship to descendants of Croatian emigrants. Some of them had never visited Croatia, yet felt an extraordinary sense of love and belonging towards the country.

€2.8 Million in Support for Croatian Communities

Milas recalled that, back in 2023, the Croatian Government designated the Gathering of the Croatian Diaspora in South America as a project of special importance for Croatians living abroad.

He noted that Croatia has so far invested approximately €2.8 million in projects and activities supporting Croatian communities across the continent.

The funding supports the renovation of Croatian community centres, the preservation of cultural heritage, traditions, religious life and national identity, with particular emphasis on Croatian language programmes.

“Without language, there is no nation and no sense of recognition,” Milas stressed, highlighting the importance of passing the Croatian language on to younger generations of emigrant descendants.

Croatia Is Not Just the Homeland of Their Ancestors, but of Future Generations Too

Speaking about programmes designed to strengthen the diaspora's ties with Croatia, Milas singled out Croaticum, online Croatian language courses and numerous initiatives that give younger generations of Croatian descent the opportunity to discover the country of their ancestors.

He stressed that the goal is not simply to encourage Croatians abroad to return, but to demonstrate through concrete measures that Croatia is their homeland.

“Croatia truly has its doors wide open,” he said, noting that members of the diaspora particularly appreciate the country's safety and quality of life.

He added that these programmes are already producing results, with growing numbers of descendants of Croatian emigrants visiting Croatia, some of whom are choosing to settle there permanently.

Milas also highlighted the growing interest among young people in studying, living and working in Croatia, as well as their desire to play an active role in the country's future.

Croatians in South America Open Doors to Economic Cooperation

This year's gathering in Córdoba places considerable emphasis on entrepreneurship, investment and strengthening economic ties between Croatia and South American countries.

Milas believes that descendants of Croatian emigrants can play an important role in establishing new business contacts and creating opportunities for Croatian companies.

As an example of successful cooperation between businesspeople in Croatia and the diaspora, he pointed to the Meeting G2 conference, which has for years brought together entrepreneurs of Croatian descent from around the world.

He stressed that the large Croatian communities in Argentina, Chile, Peru and other South American countries represent significant potential for attracting new investment to Croatia, increasing trade and expanding economic cooperation.

“They Are Not Just a Bridge – They Are Part of the Croatian Nation”

In closing, Milas noted that the Croatian diaspora is often described as a bridge between Croatia and the countries in which its members live. However, he believes their role goes far beyond that.

Croatians in South America are not merely a link between countries, he said, but an enduring and inseparable part of the Croatian nation, whose connection with the homeland transcends generations and geographical distance.

He concluded that Croatian institutions, the media and diaspora communities themselves share a responsibility to continue nurturing these ties, promoting successful initiatives and creating new opportunities for future generations of Croatians around the world.