Draft National Development Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid Programme to 2030 presented

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs today presented the draft National Programme on International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid to 2030, which sets out sectoral and geographical priorities, partner countries, and measures for Croatia’s development and humanitarian assistance. The draft Programme is being submitted for public consultation today, which will run for 30 days. All interested stakeholders are invited to contribute to its final formulation by submitting comments and proposals before it is put forward for adoption.
 
The Programme was presented at a press conference by Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. He stressed that, having itself progressed from being a recipient to a provider of assistance, Croatia can effectively share with partner countries its experience of post-war recovery, reconstruction and democratic transition. The Programme, he noted, directs Croatia’s contribution towards areas where it can have the greatest impact.
 
The Programme is a short-term strategic planning document prepared by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in its capacity as the national coordinator, in cooperation with the Commission for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Abroad, in accordance with the International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Act (Official Gazette No. 14/24).
 
The Programme identifies three sectoral priorities: the dignity of every person; responsible economic development; and peace, security and the development of democratic institutions. These priorities cover areas such as education, healthcare and human rights, the green transition and digitalisation, post-war reconstruction, humanitarian demining and strengthening the rule of law.
 
The geographical priorities are the Western Balkans, with Bosnia and Herzegovina designated as a programme country; the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, with Ukraine as a programme country; and the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood, with the Syrian Arab Republic as a programme country. Multiannual bilateral development programmes are planned with these partner countries, while the option of implementing targeted projects outside the three priority regions is also retained.
 
Implementation of the Programme is organised around three groups of measures, each accompanied by progress indicators: strengthening Croatia’s role in the global development assistance system; implementing bilateral and multilateral programmes, projects and activities; and establishing partnerships with civil society organisations and the private sector.
 
Grlić Radman called on the relevant public authorities, civil society organisations, the private sector, the expert community and all interested citizens to take part in the public consultation and submit their comments and proposals. The ministry will consider the contributions before finalising the draft Programme and submitting it for adoption.

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