By joining the EU's Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, the Republic of Croatia has taken an important step towards strengthening its foreign policy and developmental digital profile, as well as its engagement in global digital policies and projects. Croatia's inclusion in this European digital development initiative will enable it to intensify its efforts in digital diplomacy and development, promote its and Europe's digital competencies and economy, and contribute to the digital transformation and economic advancement of partners worldwide.
The D4D Hub is a strategic platform established by the European Union and its member states to strengthen partnerships, digital dialogue, and encourage investments for advancing human-centered digital transformation in partner regions around the world. Aligned with the digital pillar of the EU's Global Gateway strategy, the D4D Hub serves as a key instrument for implementing digital policies and collaborating with partners globally.
Recognizing its significant digital know-how, which stems from a highly successful academic community and numerous companies in the digital sector, as well as their mutual cooperation, the Republic of Croatia intends to prioritize supporting digitalization in the regions of the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership, and the Horn of Africa. This engagement will allow Croatia to further promote its and Europe's digital competencies and economy and contribute to the digital transformation and economic advancement of partners worldwide.
The D4D Hub has so far attracted membership from 16 EU member states, aiming to promote investments in digital transformation, endorse value-based rules for the digital economy and society, and strengthen EU engagement in international digital partnerships.
The Republic of Croatia has already been actively involved in external digital outreach through several projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. By joining the D4D Hub, it aims to further strengthen its digital engagement and cooperation with partners worldwide.
Some of the projects that Croatia is actively implementing include a project to improve digital skills for girls in Ethiopia and a project to empower girls with access to relevant, quality education and opportunities to develop digital skills in Kenya. Additionally, a project for the digital and green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Western Balkans is currently in its initial phase, which Croatia will implement in cooperation with the OECD.
Joining the D4D Hub allows Croatia access to all working groups of the D4D Hub, within which opportunities for participation in projects and initiatives under the EU's Global Gateway strategy are discussed. Participation in such forums provides an opportunity for experience exchange, strengthening cooperation, and promoting European and Croatian interests in the field of digital policies and projects.
The D4D Hub also provides opportunities for stronger engagement of the private sector and the academic community of member states through its two specialized groups:
Private Sector Advisory Group - d4dhubdev and
D4D Hub Civil Society & Academia AdvisoryGroup - d4dhubdev.
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