After Six Years in Germany, They Found Happiness in Slavonia

More and more Croatian families are deciding to return to their homeland after years spent in Germany, Ireland, and other countries. Among them is the Funduk family, who returned to Garčin near Slavonski Brod after six years of living in Germany.

Rising living costs abroad, the desire to own a home, and subsidies for young families are opening up new prospects for towns and villages in Slavonia. According to data from the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, 3,500 more returnees were recorded last year than the year before.

After six years spent in Germany, the Funduk family decided to turn over a new leaf. In Garčin near Slavonski Brod, they bought a large house at an affordable price and started a life in their own home.

"The first two years were fine, until the coronavirus pandemic. Then prices started going up—rent, healthcare, everything. It simply didn't make sense anymore. When you put everything on paper, it is better to be here, where you are on your own land," says Marina Funduk.

Their story is one of those showing that returning to Slavonia is once again becoming a real possibility for some Croatian emigrants.

Having faced emigration and population decline for years, municipalities and cities in Slavonia are trying to attract returnees and help young families who want to stay through various subsidies.

In Gornja Vrba, young families can count on financial assistance when buying or building a house.

"We provide 4,000 to 5,000 euros for buying or building new houses. We plan to keep these funds at least for next year as well, and if we find room in the budget, we will try to increase them," stated Daniel Grgić, Mayor of Gornja Vrba.

In neighboring Garčin, subsidies range from 4,000 to 6,000 euros.

Ivana Jerković’s family is currently renovating their house, and work on the facade, plumbing installations, and other parts of the home represents a significant financial expense.

Marko Ivanišić plans to use the 6,000 euros he received to pay off a loan and reduce his family's financial obligations.

Alongside housing, the availability of preschool education plays an important role in keeping young families in the area.

In Garčin, kindergarten is free, but existing capacities are not sufficient to meet the needs of all residents.

Mayor Josip Vidaković points out that the municipality therefore co-finances children's attendance at private and other kindergartens, as well as the services of registered childminders.

Such measures aim to make everyday life easier for young parents and create conditions for staying in Slavonia long-term.

The trend of Croatian citizens returning from abroad is also being monitored by the Ministry of Demography and Immigration.

According to data presented by State Secretary Mladen Barać, 3,500 more returnees were recorded last year compared to the previous year, with Slavonian counties standing out in particular.

"Slavonian counties dominate. Osijek-Baranja County is always among the top three counties with the highest number of recorded returnees, and last year Brod-Posavina County ranked among the top five," Barać stated.

Combining national and local demographic measures is one of the key prerequisites for creating better living conditions, especially for young families.

The story of the Funduk family shows that leaving Croatia does not have to be permanent. After years spent abroad, for some families the greatest value once again becomes living in their own home, close to everything that connects them to their homeland.

Source: HRT