# Croatian diaspora conferences and domestic economic protests > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-professional-and-community-conferences > Updated: 2026-10-26T10:16:43.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 4. Professional and community-focused conferences continue to be held by the Croatian diaspora and within Croatia and the surrounding region. In the diaspora, gatherings in Seattle and Vienna have focused on career development, cultural preservation, and technological advancement. The Association of Croatian American Professionals celebrated its 10th anniversary in Seattle with discussions on identity and the intersection of augmented reality and agentic AI. Meanwhile, the CROPRO Vienna conference in Austria emphasized networking and navigating the local job market. Within Croatia, economic tensions have escalated among small business owners. On October 10, hundreds of entrepreneurs, craftsmen, and small business owners gathered at Zrinjevac in Zagreb to protest rising operational costs and regulatory burdens. Organized by the Association of Entrepreneurs’ Voice (UGP) and the Association to Save Small Family Renters (SMOi), the demonstration addressed grievances such as the recategorization of small tourism rentals, increased tax burdens for certain flat-rate tradespeople, and new requirements regarding anchored pricing. During the protest, Petra Mandić, a Rijeka city councilor from the Most party, criticized the government for prescribing “every detail of business operations” while failing to take responsibility for the consequences of its decisions. The Most party has since filed a proposal with the Constitutional Court challenging mandates regarding the online publication of price lists and is advocating for raising the VAT threshold from 60,000 to 85,000 euros. Following the protests, the Association of Entrepreneurs (UGP) responded to the proposed 2026 state budget rebalance. While welcoming a planned reduction in the budget deficit, the UGP warned against treating increased revenues as surplus funds. The association called for greater transparency and accountability in public spending, arguing that ministries should provide impact analyses to demonstrate the measurable results of public expenditures. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Association of Entrepreneurs urges fiscal responsibility in Croatia The Association of Entrepreneurs (UGP) warns Croatia against increasing permanent spending alongside rising revenues, calling for greater transparency and measurable results in public expenditure. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/association-of-entrepreneurs-urges-fiscal-responsibility-in-croatia ### 2026-10-10: Entrepreneurs protest government regulations in Zagreb Entrepreneurs and small business owners protested in Zagreb against rising taxes, excessive regulations, and perceived government mismanagement of the Croatian economy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/entrepreneurs-protest-government-regulations-in-zagreb ### 2026-10-05: Entrepreneurs announce protest in Zagreb over rising costs Croatian micro and small entrepreneurs, including private renters, have announced a protest in Zagreb on October 10 to demand lower taxes and reduced administrative burdens. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-hosts-various-professional-and-community-conferences ### 2026-10-04: Croatian professionals hold diaspora conferences in Seattle and Vienna Croatian professionals gathered at conferences in Seattle and Vienna to discuss career growth, technological trends, and the preservation of cultural identity within the diaspora. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-professionals-hold-diaspora-conferences-in-seattle-and-vienna --- Cite as: Croatian diaspora conferences and domestic economic protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-professional-and-community-conferences