State Office for Croats Abroad and Croatian Employers’ Association sign cooperation agreement

Secretary of State Zvonko Milas and CEO of the Croatian Employers’ Association Damir Zorić (Photo: Central State Office for Croats Abroad)

ZAGREB, 16 March 2021 – The Croatian Employers’ Association and the Central State Office for Croats Abroad have signed a cooperation agreement today.

With this agreement, both parties expressed their readiness to cooperate in activities that contribute to improving and recognising the potential, knowledge, skills and experience of Croatian diaspora returnees and descendants of Croatian emigrants acquired outside Croatia within the Croatian business community. 

Also, recognising and respecting language and heritage of descendants of Croatian emigrants as a challenge for them entering the labour market in Croatia.

“In the context of negative demographic trends and labour shortages in the domestic labour market, the skills and experience of our emigrants can significantly contribute to strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the Croatian economy. Emigrants have valuable international experience that can further enrich and strengthen the domestic business sector,” said Damir Zorić, CEO of the Croatian Employers’ Association.

“All our programme activities for Croats living abroad are interconnected and enable us, in cooperation with the competent state bodies and partner institutions such as the Croatian Employers’ Association, to create stimulating conditions and improvement in all areas of life important for our returnees. and a positive impact on the demographic future of the Croatian people and the overall progress of Croatia,” said Secretary of State Zvonko Milas.

Zvonko Milas and Damir Zorić (Photo: Central State Office for Croats Abroad)

In order to improve cooperation and create stimulating conditions for the return and successful integration of Croatian emigrants and their descendants, the Central State Office for Croats Abroad its implementing programmes and projects – Croatian language learning program in Croatia, Project – Special enrolment quota for members of the Croatian national minority and Croatian Emigrants, Scholarship Program for Members of the Croatian People Outside Croatia, Project – Homeland Summer School, Support Program for Croatian Communities in Emigration, Program for financing special needs and projects of interest to Croats outside Croatia and support for integration provided by the Office.