Croatia expands support program for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina

At today’s session, the Government amended the support program for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at encouraging local community economic development for the 2025–2027 period, directing financial assistance toward projects for the development and improvement of public entrepreneurial infrastructure.

The support program for Croats in BiH aimed at encouraging local community economic development for the 2025–2027 period was adopted with the goal of providing support to projects that contribute to the economic development of local communities in BiH, the creation and preservation of jobs, the development of entrepreneurship, and the improvement of the economic and development capacities of areas where Croats in BiH live.

Given the demonstrated need for further investment in entrepreneurial infrastructure—especially in its construction, furnishing, equipping, modernization, and functional improvement—the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted a decision to amend the program. This decision directs financial support toward projects for the development and improvement of public entrepreneurial infrastructure that can have a long-term impact on the economic development of local communities.

It is pointed out that investing in such infrastructure creates the prerequisites for increasing entrepreneurial activity, opening new business opportunities and jobs, and strengthening the long-term economic sustainability of local communities.

The amendments expand the circle of eligible applicants to include cities and municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside counties/cantons, which will be able to nominate multiple projects and thus receive support to finance more than one project.

Support per individual project remains at the same amount, ranging from 50,000 to 290,000 euros, provided that the project directly contributes to the development of the Croat community and the strengthening of entrepreneurship in areas where members of the Croat community live.

Furthermore, the prescribed ineligible activities are expanded to include, for example, the construction of infrastructure intended for a single, predetermined entrepreneur.

Funds for the implementation of the program for 2026 are secured in the amount of 2.9 million euros, while the same amount for 2027 will be secured during the drafting of the state budget for the 2027–2029 period.

“The Ministry of Economy will issue a public tender that will prescribe the criteria and conditions for the allocation of funds in detail, with special attention paid to the principle of balanced regional development and the quality of project proposals,” said Minister Ante Šušnjar. As he stated, special attention will be dedicated to balanced regional development and the quality of the projects.