Croatia declares ‘Week of Croats Abroad’ to strengthen global ties

The Croatian Government has officially proclaimed the “Week of Croats Outside the Republic of Croatia”, a new annual initiative aimed at strengthening connections with the country’s global diaspora.

The decision was adopted at today’s Government session, where ministers also accepted official patronage over the marking of the 35th anniversary of the beginning of the Homeland War.

The Week of Croats Abroad will be held each year during the last week of May.

Zvonko Milas, State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, said the initiative’s primary objective is to foster unity among Croats worldwide.

“The goal is to develop togetherness,” Milas stated, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong and meaningful ties between Croatia and its communities abroad, Dnevnik.hr reported.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković explained that the decision was made in order to further energise and strengthen the relationship between the homeland and emigrant Croatia.

“The decision was adopted to dynamise the link between homeland and emigrant Croatia, building on the numerous activities the Government has undertaken in the previous period,” Plenković said.

More than four million Croats and their descendants live outside the Republic of Croatia, forming a significant global community.

The largest Croatian communities are found in the United States (approximately 1.2 million), Bosnia and Herzegovina (over 500,000), Germany (around 500,000), Chile, Argentina, Australia and Canada.

For decades, the Croatian diaspora has played an important role in preserving cultural heritage, supporting Croatia economically and politically, and contributing to the country’s development.

In recent years, the Government has introduced a range of measures aimed at engaging the diaspora, encouraging investment, facilitating return migration, and supporting Croatian language and cultural programmes abroad.

The final week of May is expected to become a focal point for events, meetings, cultural programmes and initiatives.