Croatia allocates €3.3 million to 25 cross‑border projects supporting Croat communities in Serbia

The Croatian National Council announced the award of 25 contracts under the cross‑border cooperation programme with Serbia, bringing the total value of the scheme to roughly €3.3 million. Over the past five years the programme has funded 133 projects worth about €3.3 million, benefiting 66 Croatian organisations in Serbia and more than 80 partner institutions in Croatia. Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman presented the contracts in Subotica, while HNV president Jasna Vojnić stressed that the funding is “essential for the survival of our associations and parishes”. Projects focus on cultural heritage, education, youth, religious activities, infrastructure renewal and social‑health initiatives, aiming to preserve the Croatian language, identity and historic sites across the border.

In the Vukovar‑Srijemska County, nine new agreements totalling €327,599.73 were signed. One contract funds the “Baština – pokretač razvoja” project for revitalising an ethno‑farm and building a children’s playground, while another supports the construction of a modern IT‑equipped hall in Vinkovci to serve as a regional knowledge centre. The remaining eight agreements target similar goals of improving quality of life, safeguarding shared cultural identity and fostering sustainable development in the border region.