€3.4 million given for six Croatian projects outside Croatia

ZAGREB, 28 November 2025 (Hina) – The Croatian Government has confirmed it will continue supporting a series of strategic projects for Croats living outside the country, allocating €3.4 million for six initiatives during 2025.

The funding covers one project in Serbia aimed at the Croatian national minority and five projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At its Thursday session, the Government approved ongoing support for a number of programmes previously designated as being of strategic importance.

These include upgrades to Dr. fra Mato Nikolić Hospital in Travnik, improvements to student facilities in Sarajevo, the reconstruction of Fra Dominik Mandić Gymnasium in Široki Brijeg, the Memorial Centre Groblje Mira on Bilima, the cultural project “Build a Mill Where There Is Water – 7 Matica”, and two initiatives of the Banja Luka Diocese.

The Government has once again allocated €500,000 to the expansion and modernisation of the hospital in Travnik. The project involves constructing two new blocks to ease pressure on existing facilities and create additional space, including a new dermatology department.

In Široki Brijeg, the reconstruction of Fra Dominik Mandić Gymnasium, damaged by fire and floods in 2024, will receive €750,000 this year, following last year’s €1 million contribution.

Two projects by the Banja Luka Diocese will continue to receive state backing, with €225,000 earmarked for the renovation of the Marija Zvijezda Monastery, intended to become a spiritual centre, and for the construction of a new church of St Joseph in Drvar.

Last year, these initiatives received €180,000.

The Memorial Centre Groblje Mira on Bilima, run by Mir International from Mostar, will receive €225,000, following €350,000 allocated in 2024.

The Croatian National Council in Serbia will continue implementing the cultural and community project “Build a Mill Where There Is Water – 7 Matica”, funded with an additional €1.2 million, the same amount as last year.

The Government also amended an earlier decision regarding the strategic project “Agricultural Development Programme” for the Croatian community in Serbia.

Though €500,000 had originally been granted to the Croatian National Council for this purpose, the project has now been transferred to the Cro-Fond Foundation for the Development of the Croatian Community in Serbia, which will take over as the official project holder.

State Secretary for Croats Abroad, Zvonko Milas, explained that under Serbian legislation, the Croatian National Council cannot implement agricultural projects, necessitating the administrative change.

All project funds have been secured from the budget of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad for the current year.