AmCham Croatia Presents Results of Business Environment in Croatia Study
March 8, 2023 - The main limiting factors in business in Croatia have been inflation and growing energy costs, and a lack of appropriate workforce, according to AmCham Croatia.
“Despite the good business results in 2022 and optimistic business plans, the caution of companies is observed in anticipation of possible negative effects on business. The main limiting factors in business are inflation and increasing energy costs and lack of appropriate workforce,” said Andrea Doko Jelusic, executive director of AmCham, presenting the results of a study on the business environment in Croatia, which was conducted in the period from December 12, 2022 to January 25, 2023, on a sample of 162 members of domestic and international companies in Croatia, reports Poslovni.
Doko Jelusic added that more than 67% of respondents found 2022 better for business than the previous year, while for 13% of them, business in 2022 was worse than in 2021. If 2020 is omitted, marked mainly by the pandemic, in 2022, an increasing number of companies recorded a slowdown in business. Most respondents (51%) have increased the number of employees, while a third of the companies have maintained the same number of employees, similar to last year's results. On the other hand, a considerable number of respondents (59%) evaluated the experience of doing business in Croatia as good or very good, and 53% of respondents noticed the improvement in business conditions in the last five years.
The most significant improvements in the five-year period were seen in the conditions of financing and increased demand for goods and services, as well as trade exchange opportunities and payment conditions, while the most significant limiting factors, according to the study subjects, were the availability and quality of the workforce, the price of work and the quality of the legal framework.
“The expansion of business is planned by 73% of respondents compared with 82% in last year's study. In planned employment, the percentage is identical to last year - 66%; however, the proportion of those who plan to hire more than 20 employees is reduced, while the proportion of those who plan to reduce the number of employees is growing,” said Doko Jelusic.
“Compared to the previous (2021) year, in 2022, AmCham members recorded similar business results. Mild employment growth and satisfaction are recorded in business conditions over the previous five-year period. On the other hand, the proportion of respondents who record better business results is reduced. Inflation and growing energy costs were not at all in the focus of business owners in 2021, and in this year's study, they took the central place as the main limiting factors. The lack of an appropriate workforce, which was in the first place in the previous year, has now taken third place,” said John Mathias Gasparac, the first Vice President of the AmCham manager.
Research areas include business in 2022, business environment, the impact of institutions on a business environment, comparison with the region, business expectations and attitudes to Schengen, and introduction of the euro and EU funds.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Business section.
Kopacki Rit Starting Tech4All Project to Help Preserve Endangered Species
March 11, 2023 - For World Wild species Day, March 3, the leading Technology Company Huawei officially launched the Tech4All project in cooperation with the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences in Osijek (FAZOS). The project aims to preserve the biosystem in Kopacki Rit. It has been realized with Rainforest Connection, a global partner of Huawei from the USA, and FAZOS.
As SiB writes, the Tech4all project, with the help of state-of-the-art technologies and artificial intelligence, Huawei, along with partners Rainforest Connection, FAZOS, and Nature Park Kopacki Rit, will help protect the endangered species of plants and animals and in protecting and preserving their natural habitats. With the help of acoustic technologies, Croatian scientists will be assisted by artificial intelligence, collecting and processing the sounds of wild animal species of Kopacki rit in real-time. They expect this will help form a clearer picture of their migration, the abundance, and the state of the total ecosystem known as one of Europe's most preserved natural habitats.
“We are extremely excited to expand our partnership with Huawei on the Tech4All project in Croatia. Together with FAZOS and Huawei technologies Croatia, we look forward to applying artificial intelligence techniques to facilitate the monitoring of species in this important wetland area. Acoustic monitoring will allow us to see how the wealth of species and community structure are changing in the face of climate change, but also to successfully plan further steps in response to changes," said Chrissy Durkin, Vice President for Growth and Development in Rainforest Connection.
Rainforest Connection is a global non-profit organization that deals with preserving the environment and will convey its knowledge and experience of using Huawei's technology in the protected area of the Kopacki Rit Nature Park. Scientists at the Faculty of Osijek Agrobiotechnical Sciences (FAZOS) will thus have the opportunity to observe numerous wild animal species with the help of state-of-the-art technologies as part of their own "WatchOut" project (Wetland & Wildlife Monitoring Using Technology & Acoustics "), which is part of the Tech4ll roof program.
“The Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences has been working closely with the Kopacki rit Nature Park for many years to protect plant and animal species. As a scientific institution, it is of great importance to develop scientific work, support the development of future scientists, and raise awareness of how important the stability of this ecosystem is. Through the Tech4All project, with the help of acoustic Huawei technology and artificial intelligence, we will have a clearer insight into migrations of migratory birds, their abundance, movements, and long-term trends we need to be aware of, ”said Prof. Dr. Ivana Majic, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation and Studies in English (FAZOS).
The program will also significantly help the local community and raise awareness of the protection of wild and endangered species, and Kopacki Rit is classified as one of the few eco-areas that use advanced technology to protect endangered habitats. Scientists are thus given the opportunity to predict and prevent the occurrences of negative trends already threatening a delicate natural balance of the nature park.
“The Kopacki Rit Nature Park is one of Europe's best preserved natural habitats. It is home to hundreds of bird species and other biological types of flora and fauna. Protecting such wetlands and the natural balance must be our priority because we indirectly depend on them. Therefore, programs such as Tech4All are extremely important because they help us preserve our natural habitats by giving us specific scientific data based on which we can act. I would like to thank Huawei for making this valuable research work possible. I am sure this cooperation will be positive and fruitful,” said Ivo Basic, director of the Kopacki Rit Nature Park.
With this move, Huawei is putting Croatia on the global map of countries that recognize the importance and power of modern technology in solving the problem of today, and Croatian scientists will obtain knowledge that will direct the entire community.
“The Tech4All program was created for one purpose: the use of technology to resolve many global challenges. Protecting endangered habitats and, thus, the fight against climate change is at the center of Huawei's global development strategy. The cooperation between Huawei, Rainforest Connection, and Croatian partners is a bright example of what can be done when technology and expertise are combined, and we hope to further continue our cooperation. We wish all scientists great success in their work,” said Xiaoou Wang, Public Affairs & Communication Manager at Huawei.
The Global Huawei Tech4All program is a long-term program that aims to use the power of advanced technology to help develop society in four key areas: education, health, environmental protection, and reducing the gap between urban and rural areas around the world. Huawei, along with Tech4All and Seeds for the Future, continues to cooperate with a series of scientific institutions to allow young, promising, and talented students to develop ICT skills with the help of their experts.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.
19th ZagrebDox International Documentary Film Festival Starting Soon!
March 10, 2023 - The ZagrebDox International Documentary Film Festival is finishing preparations for its nineteenth edition. It will traditionally open the Croatian Film Festival season at the Kaptol Boutique cinemas from March 26 to April 2.
As Journal writes, the last publicly spoken sentence at the end of each film festival is the first of the new season: preparations began last year, with the last day of the last festival. The details may vary, but at the core, it is always the same: the preparations for the festival last all year. There is only enough time for the final moves in the months leading up to the festival. ZagrebDox is no exception; on the contrary, it brilliantly demonstrates how accurate the previous sentence is.
Less than a year ago, the European Film Academy of Zagreb included ZagrebDox in the narrowest circle of elite world festivals, whose films compete for the annual award of this umbrella film institution in the documentary category. Thirty-seven festivals from all over the world, ZagrebDox being a proud member, greatly define the documentary scene, and therefore it should not be surprising that as many as fifteen films competed for one place in ZagrebDox in 2023. Numerous quality film applications (almost 1500 of them!) have caused sweet sorrows for the selection team, with the founder and director of ZagrebDox Nenad Puhovski, leading it since the first day.
“Since in the recent period, due to the pandemic, the completion of documentaries has been slightly slower, this year we faced the wealth of truly great Doxes, so the selection process was long and complex. The fact that we have decided to return the extremely popular 'Music Globe' and 'Happy Dox' programs may be the best witness to this. On the other hand, the increasing popularity of documentaries is probably best demonstrated by the fact of 'overcrowding' of the Masters Program with the films of Herzog, Ivory, Schlöndorff ... As always, we are showing the most awarded documentaries of last season, such as the winner of the Golden Lion from Venice, 'All Beauty and Blood' by Laura Poitras. The latest films are, of course, there as well, which will only have their world premiere at ZagrebDox, such as the 'Eastern Front' by Vitaly Manski, which is eagerly expected at Berlinale. Last but not least, ZagrebDox continues its commitment to the Croatian documentary this year with as many as twenty latest films," said Nenad Puhovski.
The nineteenth edition of ZagrebDox will be scheduled at the five halls of Kaptol Boutique Cinema & Bar from March 26 to April 2. In addition to more than a hundred excellent films, numerous guests, accompanying events, and talks are expected, in short, a documentary film festival in all its colours, durations, thematic focus, and artistic achievements. This year's edition of ZagrebDox will primarily focus on the audience who demonstrated last year that it loves documentaries on the big screen despite all the changes brought on by the era of streaming services.
The ZagrebDox documentary selection in 2023 is receiving its final contours, but its visual identity has been ready for some time, this year signed by Studio Sesnic & Turkovic. This year, the designer creatives have reached out to the festival's very foundations in designing its visual identity. The colour is recognizable, and the key element is highlighted and anchored in the unmissable ZagrebDox Rubik's Cube for announcements. The nineteenth Zagrebdox is just around the corner, burdened only with the desire to show the best documentaries in the world!
All news and information about ZagrebDox are available on the official website and the social networks of the festival.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.
Ryanair Osijek to London Flights Are Back! Here's When They Start
March 8, 2023 - Big news for everyone who has been waiting for a convenient way to travel to the Croatian east! The Ryanair Osijek to London line is back after a long hiatus.
As SiB initially wrote, the aviation analyst Sean M, who regularly publishes news from the world of aviation on his Twitter, published important information for Osijek Airport, that starting from the summer season of 2023, the Irish airline Ryanair will once again fly to London. The flights will be on Fridays and Mondays, which will mean a new international link between Osijek and Europe.
Currently, you can fly from Osijek to Munich, Germany, and this line will certainly bring a lot to everyone who wants to visit London and the surrounding cities. It will potentially attract tourists from these countries to Osijek and the surrounding area as well.
On June 2, Ryanair will introduce a line between Osijek and London (Stansted Airport), thus returning to Klisa after a multi-year break, SiB confirmed.
Flights from Osijek to London shall fly on Mondays and Fridays, and flights are planned in the afternoon and evening.
Flights can already be booked through Ryanair's website.
The current price for the first flight on June 2 from Osijek to London is €30.99, and the return flight on Monday, June 5, will cost €48.99.
If you want to fly to London on Monday, June 5, you will pay €77.99 one way, but again on Friday,, the price from Osijek to London is €30. As for all other Ryanair flights, prices vary by date, and occupancy and change dynamically. The cheapest one-way ticket is €30, and the most expensive one in July was €103.99.
The good thing about Ryanair is that there are often promotional flight prices and various discounts with which you can get a much better price.
You should, however, keep in mind that the price does not include luggage, i.e. you can only take a small cabin bag. If you need more, you will have to pay extra.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.
Magical Medjimurje in March: a Major Surprise
March 7, 2023 - A business trip to Medjimurje in early March turned out to be a VERY pleasant tourism experience.
It is the smallest of all the Croatian counties, and the northernmost, nestled next to now borderless Slovenia and Hungary. And despite the fact I lived just a few kilometres from its capital of Cakovec during my time in Varazdin, Medjimurje is the county that I know least well in this fair land. Apart from one quite extraordinary 24 hours there with the Gastronaut legendica Karin Mimica back in 2016 (Read more in Gastronaut Discovers the Mystical Tastes and Traditions of Medjimurje in Northern Croatia), an excellent lunch at Mala Hiza (that horseradish soup was awesome), and a meeting with a web developer, my knowledge of Medjimurje was zero.
My motives for visiting Cakovec had little to do with tourism and more on spending time with a new business partner and defining our relationship. She suggested I come for a couple of days to chat and have a look around her native territory, a good chance to mix a little business and pleasure, and to see Medjimurje through local eyes.
And there was a lot to see. As I left some 48 hours later, the dates of May 12-14 and the Urbanovo festival already in my diary, I kicked myself for ignoring this rather fabulous region for so long.
Although, truth be told, understanding the local dialect took even more servings of gemist than in Varazdin.
First up, and what a way to start, a business lunch at Mala Hiza, the pioneering restaurant in Medjimurje and the first in the county to make the Michelin Guide. A superbly rustic setting with a very innovative menu including dishes such as horse, there was no way I was missing out on my favourite horseradish soup to start, which lived up to its billing.
Wandering through central Cakovec that evening was beautiful. A little lonely, as there was almost nobody about, but beautiful. I put some pictures on Facebook to see if there was anyone around who might be interested in showing me around or pointing me in the direction of some hidden gems. It was one of my most popular FB posts of the year, with some 266 likes and a barrage of messages (apologies if I have not got back to you all yet - I will).
After the statutory Croatian coffee and 12 cigarettes ritual at our morning meeting, it was off to Krizovec to the 'Between Two Waters' visitor centre, a fascinating look at the nature, flora and fauna of this unique region. Medjimurje had once been almost all forest, and its heritage was well documented. The prime oak tree was called Adam, and it took quite a team to fell it - and we would meet Adam over breakfast.
Did you know that there was a protected park on Croatia's northern border which spans five countries? No, nor did I.
And then I saw a familiar face, recorded for posterity. Mate Horvat, the last gold panner from the gold-panning era on the Drava. You can learn more about that in my 2016 article Aged 94, Meet Croatia's Last Surviving Gold Prospector on the River Drava.
Do you have any video footage of Mate in action? I asked.
No unfortunately, I don't.
I did, from that amazing Gastronaut trip 7 years ago, which I will be forwarding.
Medjimurje welcomes everyone. A 5-star hotel for bugs.
And I LOVED this. The Chapel of the Fallen Forest, a tribute to trees felled and what became of them. 
It was nice to see that even here, the art of Bench Tourism is alive and well.
Time for breakfast at Beska in Cakovec, which had a very homey traditional feel - a nice spot to chill.
And in the courtyard, remnants of Adam the Great Oak Tree, turned railway sleeper.
I really enjoyed the tour of Cakovec Castle, which was of course dominated by the history of the Zrinski family, but there was SO much local culture and tradition on offer. Among the many highlights was this extraordinary costume with a traditional mask called Pikac.
When they say that it takes a village, sometimes it really does...
Time for some liquid refreshment, which came in the form of a recommendation from young Filip, the recently appointed Cakovec Tourist Board Director, who was among those who contacted me on Facebook. A very cultured young man, we fell into earnest conversation about tourism over beer and cake - the legendary Medjimurksa gibanica, which sometimes is unfortunately translated as Middle Earth Moving Cake. Whatever the translation, it was delicious.
Not gonna lie, I thought Mamas and Tapas was top, even more so when the owner came over to say hello. He insisted I try this dish on the house - fortune cookies stuffed with pork.
As all fortune cookies should be. Croatia, why would you live anywhere else?
And rather a nice beer selection, if that is your thing.
Enough beer had been consumed to take in the random facts of Cakovec. Did I know, for example, that the first Chinese restaurant in Croatia opened in Cakovec, and that David Bowie popped in for a bit to eat after a concert in Budapest en route to his next gig in Zagreb? There is a corner of a foreign field that is forever England...
Breakfast in Upper Medjimurje looks like this, and if you have a hostess such as Tatjana Hazic, you know you are in trouble. One of the few female winemakers in Croatia, she is also one of the toughest, having completed an Ironman as well as running a rather excellent winery.
But how to make such a super overachiever nervous? Simple. Be the first person to ever try her first ever Pusipel, the pride of Medjimurje grape varieties. So special is it that it has its own individual bottle and wine glass. So how was it? See above.
I loved everything about the Hazic winery - what a cool use of corks!
And the first wine camp in Croatia! Bring your caravan and start drinking. Each pitch is named after a grape variety. Please reserve Sauvignon for me - the Hazic Sauvignon is a Decanter medal winner and is awesome. A small family winery, Tatjana sells all her wine locally. Why look for national distributors when you can open a wine camp and the drinkers come to you? Awesome lady.
The vines dominate Upper Medjimurje, truly spectacular.
And where better to take in the view of the whole of Medjimurje, as well as Slovenia and Hungary, than from the top of Madjerka Breg, fabulous out of season, and a cool rural party destination in season.
If you were surprised that people were gold panning in Medjimurje, how about this for a claim to fame? While the first commercial oil drilling in the United States took place in Drake in 1859, meanwhile in Medjimurje in 1856...
I won't pretend it was an easy place to find, but there you are, another slice of Croatian history which is relatively undocumented.
My two days over and a little food hamper with love from Medjimurje for the way back to Zagreb.
Overall impressions? This is what I posted on Facebook:
Not gonna lie, my expectations of a trip to Medjimurje in Feb for business were not huge. But what a fab little gem it is. I always prefer to see destinations out of season to see how much substance there is. So grateful to the many locals who reached out, showed me around, and made the 48 hours so magical.
First impressions. This is a land of oil exploration and gold panning, but the real natural treasures it possesses are its nature, traditions and fine food and wine. It feels like a contented independent and self-sufficient country, where hard work and gemist power the daily grind. A land where the small family businesses spanning generations provide the economic wealth and unique stories. I loved it and wil be back soon. If only they could work on making their Croatian more intelligible. And now with Schengen, Slovenia Hungary and Austria on the borderless doorstep. And just over an hour from Zagreb. Why aren't you here?
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You can subscribe to the Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert YouTube channel here.
What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.
Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.
Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.
Why I No Longer Give Free Advice about Croatia
March 7, 2023 - After 12 years of writing online, why I no longer give free advice about Croatia.
It all started with a laptop and a pint.
A new career, the latest in a string of new careers - being self-employed in a foreign land is not without its challenges.
Writing.
I remember how nervous I was when I started the Total Hvar blog way back in October 2011. Did I have anything interesting to say? Would anyone actually read my words?
There have been many milestones over the last 12 years, which live long in the memory, but none more so than the moment that Sinisa Matkovic-Mikulcic of Secret Hvar became the first person to share one of my articles.
It got EIGHT likes on Facebook.
I felt like JK Rowling, as though the whole world was reading.
And then came the first comment, and then the first email asking for information. I was more than happy to oblige. Engagement grows the beast, but also I could see how the birth of a community would help the site grow.
And grow it did.
At one crazy point, the TCN project had no less than 11 writers on the payroll. It was pretty chaotic.
And just as the number of writers and articles increased, so too did the incoming emails to the inbox, most of them looking for information or wanting to meet for a coffee.
I was always happy to oblige, but then the floodgates opened. I currently get about 400 messages a day, mostly from people I don't know. They are looking for information, thinking about moving to Croatia, and wanting to meet and buy me a beer.
It is flattering to get so much attention, but there comes a point when if I answered every email and drank every beer, that would be my full-time job. Which would not bring in a lot of cash to feed the kids.
And of course, there are those who expect you to be at their beck and call, and if you don't reply instantly, you are arrogant. When I lived in Varazdin, there was a chap in Zagreb who wanted to buy me a coffee. I was only going to Zagreb one day a week at the time, and my diary was full of business meetings from 10am to 10pm each week when I got the bus back home. I apologised, said I was busy and to try again in a month if he still wanted to meet. He gave me a piece of his mind and unfriended me.
Each to their own. At least one less message, I suppose.
And then there are those such as former Top Fan Andrea, who sent me a bizarre request for help regarding her partner's inability to get an Irish passport notarised, and what could I do to help. Having no knowledge about the situation, as well as being the 30th enquiry I had answered that hour, I suggested she check with the Irish Embassy.
For which my public reward was above.
Maybe I have an arrogant streak in my messages to people with the surname of Woods (or perhaps it is the same person), but here are some of the comments to my announcement of my new talk show on 24Sata, which aired on Sunday.
Another commentator asked dear Elizabeth to explain what question she had asked me. I did too, also wondering also why she follows TCN if she finds my face so abhorrent.
As with many trolls, when confronted, the comment was deleted, and so we will never know.
Such is life.
So lots of effort for little reward, with the probable bonus of receiving abuse for your efforts. It sounds a little like promoting tourism and getting lawsuits in compensation.
Back in 2011, I was a lonely blogger with no peers to talk to, but these days, of course, there are many more freelancers and copywriters in the remote work space.
We began to talk and share experiences.
We were both shocked, I at how much better they handled all this, they that I was doing so much for free.
"Rule number one, Paul, NEVER do anything for free once you are established. You have built a brand, have a website full of articles, an excellent book. If people still want to talk to you, then they should pay."
Would anyone really pay to learn something from me?
I decided to test it recently. The first person was thinking of moving to Croatia and wanted to schedule a call to pick my brain. I politely suggested he buy our recent book, Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners, and if he still wanted to talk, then I could send him my rates for 30 and 60 minutes. The reply was swift - thanks but he had no intention of paying. It seems it is fine to expect me to give things for free.
I spoke to more people in the field, and they were all adamant. Start charging.
And so, somewhat with reluctance (but necessity), that is what I have decided to do. And incredibly, a little like Sinisa being the first to share one of my articles all those years ago, someone is prepared to pay for my time to help him move to Croatia.
So if you want to book my time for a chat, I charge 70 euro plus VAT for 30 mins, 100 euro plus VAT for 60.
Having said all that, I am going to try one new approach to making myself available to answer people's questions, in the form of a YouTube live AMA (Ask Me Anything) one hour a month. I am still figuring out the format and will announce the time shortly for a 1-hour live chat. If you have a question you would like answered, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Live chat.
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You can subscribe to the Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert YouTube channel here.
What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.
Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.
Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.
Croatian Returnee Stories: Stipe Barac, from Denmark to Rijeka
March 7, 2023 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Stipe Barac, who moved back from Denmark to Rijeka.
CHANGED THE COUNTRY OF HYGGE WITH CROATIA
After 3.5 years spent in the land of hygge, which states for the Danish philosophy of enjoyment, this is Stipe’s story of why he has exchanged Denmark with Croatia.
Born and raised in Rijeka, after living in beautiful Zagreb, Stipe moved to Denmark to study. He got enrolled in branding and marketing studies at one of the most prestigious Scandinavian design schools in the lifestyle sector.
But why he came back and how he sees Croatia, he expressed vividly in this interview. Feel free to read and share your thoughts.
1. You made the switch to Croatia. Tell us a little about the decision process and how long it took for you to get on the plane?
Life in Denmark is decent, and I feel blessed that I had an opportunity to study abroad, and this study experience has definitely enriched my life profoundly. I’ve studied in an international environment and met people from all over Europe and the world. According to the Associate Professor and culturologist Anatolie Cantir, Denmark is the happiest country in the world with the unhappiest expats.
From the very beginning, I intuitively felt that Denmark would only be a stopover in my life and that I would not settle my life there. I realized that I see myself in Croatia and that I would like to bring at least a part of what I learned in Denmark to Croatia. I think that’s the right path for me at this moment.
I see enormous potential in Croatia, and I believe that it is the task of us young people, to change this country for the better and contribute to its development. If everyone leaves and moves to the West, who will develop Croatia?
Since Croats are among the tallest men in the world, try to find me in the photo.
Photo: Graduation celebration with colleagues from Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Canada, Iceland and the Netherlands
If you thought I was the one in the middle, you're right! True tall Croat!
2. What did your family and community back home think of your decision at the time?
My family has always been supportive of most of my decisions, so they supported my return to Croatia.
On the other hand, my grandparents spent their entire work life in Germany, and they clearly suggested that I might consider returning back home. They experienced what it is like to feel like a stranger in a foreign land. I agree with that.
Some of my friends had a divided opinion, they didn't really understand why would I return, although they felt contented that I would return back. Some of them live in the belief that the grass is greener somewhere else. But, is it really? I think the grass is green in Croatia.
I understand that economic conditions might be better somewhere else, but not necessarily, because I believe that Croatia also has a lot of potential that is waiting to be developed. It is a country of undiscovered opportunities.
For instance, what I’ve learned in Denmark is that the Danes are resourceful, assertive, and know how to use their potential. In terms of energy, the Danes are leaders in green energy, so you'll find windmills in almost every village. I like their simple approach to life and business. They saw that the wind was constantly there. So, they learned how to make windmills and install them all over Denmark. Now, they sell windmills all over the world. Even the Danish government has decided to triple the number of windmills in Denmark in the coming years. Not doubling, but tripling! Typically Danish - extreme, ambitious.
How can Croatia do something similar, but something that suits our needs and our circumstances? On the Croatian coast, the number of hours of sunshine is high, and this could be our enormous source of energy, literally every hamlet should have a mini solar power plant. Croatia could triple the number of solar power plants and show its ambition! Croatia, please, make bold moves!
Photo: Windmills in every village in Denmark
3. Where did you get your information about the realities of Croatia prior to coming?
I often read the experiences of other people who moved to Croatia, mostly the experiences of returnees. Through LinkedIn, I was inspired by people who succeeded in Croatia, and they encouraged me that it is possible to succeed in Croatia. I’ve learned that it is not necessary to live abroad to live a prosperous and abundant life. I strongly believe it is possible in Croatia too! And no one can dissuade me from that!
4. What were you most nervous about making the switch? What was your biggest fear, and how was the reality of what you found?
I was most afraid of the mindset and the system that rules here in Croatia. I would like it to change for the better, for people to be more open and optimistic, nicer and kinder to everyone, to develop their talents and not depend so much on the opinion of others.
I believe that young people are brave, that they want to make bold moves for Croatia. I like how more and more people are getting involved in entrepreneurship and want to contribute to the creation of modern Croatia. LOVE IT!
Photo: Stipe with his colleague Ana from Canada
5. Think back to the time before you arrived. What were your perceptions about Croatia and how were they different from the reality you encountered?
I spent the summer holidays of 2022 in Croatia, and the more time I spent here, the more I was sure that I wanted to move back, and it was only a question of the day when I would move. In September 2022, I moved completely.
Before I came back, I had a deep conviction that Croatia is a country of untapped potential. That it is a country where many things can be better, and I want to contribute to that development. I had this attitude before my return, and I still have this attitude. I seriously plan to make my contribution in the field that interests me, which is sustainable design and business.
Fotografija: Predstavljanje brenda UCKA
6. You are still here, so obviously the pros outweigh the cons. Tell us about some of the things that you love about being in Croatia, as well as some of the things you don't like.
Yes, I am in Croatia for a reason! After I returned, I joined the Startup Incubator in Rijeka, where I am developing a sustainable sportswear brand called UCKA Sportswear. I am focused on creating tights and tops from recycled materials, and I hope that we will soon release our first collection. Stay tuned!
Feel free to follow our journey at @ucka-sportswear.
When it comes to other things that I love about Croatia these are definitely our fresh and delicious food, relaxed people, pleasant climate, and that we have mountains!
Considering Denmark, which is a flat country with the highest peak Møllehøj - 171m, Croatia is a miracle! I missed those mountains so much that when I climbed to the top of Kamenjak and saw the beautiful view of Kvarner, I almost cried!
Furthermore, I am bothered by the disorganized system here in Croatia and the corrupt government. I assume that is one of the reasons why so many young, educated people leave. I feel deeply sad about that. From where I am standing, the current government will lose the elections in the next period because they are not leading Croatia in the right direction and are not working in the public interest.
Photo: Beautiful view from the top of Kamenjak, Rijeka
7. What advice do you have for others thinking about making the move from the diaspora?
I would like to use this opportunity to encourage all people who live abroad and are considering returning back home, to do that!. Every person is valuable, and everyone who returns will surely contribute to the development of Croatia!
8. How do you think Croatia can better assist those who are looking to return to the Homeland?
When many people return, they will certainly be looking for a new job, and the HZZ should step in to help people find their way on the labor market. On the other hand, I think that the media should actively invite people to return and report on good and successful stories in Croatia. This will create a positive climate in society.
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Thanks, Stipe, and enjoy your time in Croatia.
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Antibiotics, Vegeta, Lasers: Meet the Legendary Croatian Female Scientists
March 8, 2023 - Gabrijela Kobrehel, Croatian chemist and inventor of Sumamed, an important antibiotic used worldwide, passed away at 83 on Monday, 6 March. On International Women's Day, let us honour her along with Zlata Bartl and Lidija Colombo, all three legendary Croatian female scientists.
From left to right: Gabrijela Kobrehel, Slobodan Dokic, Gorjana Radobolja-Lazarevski and Zrinka Tamburasev
As 24Sata writes, Gabrijela was born in Obedisce in Moslavina. She graduated from the Faculty of Technology in Zagreb and worked at the Pliva Research Institute on chemical transformations of antibiotics, specifically synthesizing new macrolide antibiotics. She published 25 scientific papers and protected over twenty inventions with patents in Croatia and worldwide.
She is the winner of numerous awards, including the "Hero of Chemistry" award, which was presented to her, and posthumously the leader of her team Slobodan Dokic, by the American Chemical Society. Gabrijela Kobrehel, Slobodan Dokic, and Gorjana Radobolja-Lazarevski were the team that discovered azithromycin, the active ingredient of Sumamed.
Sumamed, an antibiotic created in Croatia, is one of the biggest and certainly the most useful Croatian inventions, and it hasn't left its throne for almost 40 years. During the pandemic, many doctors prescribed it to their patients as well.
Zlata Bartl
Podravka website
Known in Croatia as Aunt Vegeta, Zlata Bartl changed the fate of the Koprivnica company 64 years ago with her invention of a mixture of different spices.
She was a professor of chemistry, physics, mathematics and meteorology, and then worked as a chemical technician in the laboratory of Podravka. In her work, she has always liked to experiment. After she tried a soup from a bag that a friend brought from France, she herself produced the first bags of Podravka soups.
Not long after that, she took the next step to create a mixture that would not only be used in soups but in many other dishes, and Vegeta was born - a mix of salt and dried carrots, celery, parsley, parsnips and onions.
She received many awards and recognitions for her work, and in 2007 she won the Vecernjak Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Lidija Colombo
Hrcak
One of the most outstanding Croatian scientists of the 20th century secured her place in Croatian history with her work.
After graduating in mathematics and experimental physics at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Zagreb, Lidija Colombo started working at the Ruder Boskovic Institute, where she stayed until retirement. As the first woman in Croatia to receive a doctorate in physics, she had a successful career for which she was awarded several times.
In the 1960s, she was a member of the team of physicists at the Ruder Boskovic Institute that constructed the first laser in the then SFRY (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), and she is remembered as the founder of the first laboratory for molecular physics in Croatia.
She taught several physics courses and published over forty scientific papers. She edited Matematicko-fizicki List, a mathematics and physics journal, trying to popularise science and involve young collaborators in the paper's work, writes Studentski.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.
Pican Municipality in Istria Prohibiting Flat Roofs to Preserve Tradition
March 7, 2023 - Pitched roofs, plastered facades, and wooden shutters are aspects of traditional construction on the Istrian peninsula. However, modern construction in rural areas is gaining momentum. This is unacceptable for the municipality of Pican. Therefore, to preserve tradition, they determined in their spatial plan it is mandatory to install pitched roofs on family houses.
"We wanted to protect the original traditional construction in some way so that residential buildings can have a maximum of 30 percent of the floor plan of the building flat, like some attics and terraces", emphasized Dean Mocinic, the mayor of the Pican Municipality for HRT.
Flat roofs are still allowed on tourist and hospitality facilities and office buildings.
"For example, a car mechanic or a carpentry shop can have a flat roof," he said.
They followed the example of the Municipality of Barban. The conditions of traditional construction have been in force there since 2002.
"Those measures of the architectural plan that are within our spatial plan also determine the colors of the facade, the direction of the ridges of the roofs, and the necessity of using traditional materials of stone, tiles, everything that makes our space the way it is", Dalibor Paus, Mayor of Barban Municipality pointed out.
The profession believes that it is necessary to go one step further - to consider the construction schedule, that is, the number of buildings in the area.
"Now we have examples of small municipalities in Istria and Dalmatia, which are actually smaller than the complexes of apartment houses and holiday homes," says Breda Bizjak, president of the Association of Architects of Istria.
Protecting traditional construction is a step in preserving the identity of the place. An identity that is slowly disappearing in the overbuilding, not only of urban but also of rural areas in Istria, reminds HRT.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.
Zagreb Water Price to Increase by Seven Percent from March
March 7, 2023 - Zagreb water price for the average household will increase by seven percent, which will become apparent on the bills in April, Zagreb Holding has revealed.
"After the suspension of the application of the Decision on compensation for the development of communal water structures, the price increase for the average household will be approximately seven percent until the documentation related to the compensation is resolved," Hina was told in the Zagreb Holding, as reported on 24Sata.
In Zagreb Holding, they also said that the new price of water services would be visible to citizens for their consumption in March, shown on the bills in April.
The price list is also published on the Vodoopskrba i Odvodnja website.
They stated that the bill for water services consists of a fixed and a variable part. The fixed amount is charged monthly for each service user invoiced, regardless of consumption. The variable part is charged according to consumption and comprises several items, i.e., fees, intended for different entities.
In Vodoopskrba i Odvodnja, they reminded that in accordance with the Water Act, a price for socially vulnerable citizens has been determined, which is 60 percent of the basic price of water services.
In addition to Zagreb, on their website, they have listed the water price structure for Samobor, Sveta Nedelja, and Stupnik.
Zagreb Holding has announced public tenders for the director and deputy director of the Vodoopskrba i Odvodnja trading company, and the deadline for submitting bids is March 16.
Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomasevic said earlier that he dismissed the director of the company Davor Poljak due to the decision of the body at the Ministry of Economy to postpone the increase in the price of water in Zagreb, which was supposed to come into force on March 1 and amount to an average of 15 percent. It was a decision of the Council for Water Services, which determined that the decision to increase the price of water in Zagreb from March 1 by 15 percent was irregular. According to the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Davor Filipovic, that body suspended the decision to increase the price of water due to a number of irregularities that were found when the decision was made.
"Part of the price increase is disputed; part is not. On the other hand, the Council made that decision because they asked Vodoopskrba i Odvodnja to submit certain documentation by a certain deadline, which they did not do. That's why they decided to suspend," Tomasevic said. He did not explain in detail how much the price of water will increase until approval is obtained for the disputed part of the water price increase in Zagreb.
The spokeswoman for the City of Zagreb, Dinka Zivalj, then told Hina that - although the price of water in Zagreb was supposed to increase by 15 percent on average from March 1, due to investments in water infrastructure and the preparation of the Zagreb project - the increase in the price of water will be at half that percentage until further notice.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.
