- Published: 10.10.2025.
Contracts worth 4.2 million euro awarded in Orašje for encouraging return of Croats and creating sustainable living conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Branko Bačić went to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a working visit. He was accompanied by State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad Zvonko Milas, General Secretary of the Government of the Republic of Croatia Ivona Ferenčić and State Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Dario Tišov. During the visit, the Minister also held a working meeting with Prime Minister of Posavina Canton Đuro Topić and his associates.
During the visit, contracts on cofinancing projects for encouraging the return of Croats and creating sustainable living conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina were officially awarded for 2025. As part of the Support programme of the Republic of Croatia for the return of Croats to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the public call of the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, 224 contracts worth 4.2 million euro were awarded.“These projects, which will be signed today, are a small part of the mosaic representing the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The projects will contribute to the viability, existence and economic development of all the regions where our fellow countrymen live,” Minister Bačić pointed out in his opening speech.
The projects include, inter alia, the reconstruction and renovation of public facilities, the construction and rehabilitation of local roads and municipal infrastructure, the protection and renovation of cultural and sacral heritage, energy efficiency renovation and the improvement of efficiency of public objects, as well the support to small sole proprietorships and entrepreneurs. A list of all approved projects is available on the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets’ website.
The ceremony was held at the Cultural Centre Ivo Gregurević in Orašje and it included speeches from local and canton authority representatives, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Branko Bačić and Member of the Parliamentary Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina Darijana Filipović.
Member of the Parliamentary Assembly Darijana Filipović emphasised that these projects reflect equal care for all the regions where Croats live in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Minister Bačić, today you will hear “thank you” at least 224 times. The care for the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the focus of the policy of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and we demonstrate it not only today but on numerous other occasions. I wish for this cooperation to continue,” she said.
Minister Bačić recalled that two years ago, during the visit to Stolac, 60 such contracts were awarded.
“On that occasion we said that we would increase funding for this programme in the upcoming period. Last year we surpassed the number of 100 contracts and 2.5 million euro, and this year we award 224 contracts worth 4.2 million euro. We will strive to secure even more funding because these projects, although smaller, are often more important for citizens’ everyday lives than large, capital projects that take years to be realised,” the Minister said.
Support programme of the Republic of Croatia for the return of Croats to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Programme is implemented with the aim of encouraging a sustainable return, improving infrastructure and creating better living conditions for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Republic of Croatia continuously supports Croats to stay and return to Bosnia and Herzegovina by:
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encouraging a sustainable return of residents through financial aid to associations and other legal persons contributing to creating better living conditions,
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encouraging economic activities and entrepreneurship, including the renovation and construction of municipal and social infrastructure,
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supporting institutions and projects providing care for persons with disabilities, socially disadvantaged persons, victims of violence and single parents,
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reconstructing, constructing and equipping social, economic and sacral objects,
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promoting projects which encourage the return and foster cooperation with local communities and institutions of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the public call for 2025, published on July 18, 854 applications were received. Upon verification, 224 projects were selected, with a secured funding of 4.2 million euro. The average amount of an individual contract is approximately 18,000 euro.
“It gives me pleasure that each of these contracts will help you realise your project. Many of them are taken over by local self-government units, parishes and monasteries. I hope we have found a measure to help those whose applications have met the requirements,” Minister Bačić concluded.
The foundation stone laid for the construction of the sports hall of the Primary School Vladimir Nazor in Odžak
During the visit, Minister Bačić took part in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the sports hall of the Primary School Vladimir Nazor in Odžak.
“As a minister, I visit numerous construction sites across Croatia, but I find particular joy in participating in projects of educational infrastructure, whether they refer to schools, kindergartens or faculties. These moments give us pleasure because this is where we see the purpose of all the investments - we build buildings for our youngest to gain knowledge, grow up and lay the foundations for their future,” the Minister said.
The Primary School Vladimir Nazor is the only primary school in Odžak Municipality, attended by 603 students in the 2025/2026 school year. Out of the total number of students, 286 students in grades 1-4 attend classes in an object lacking a sports hall. The new hall will also be used by 80 students in after-school care, as well as sports clubs, cultural and artistic ensembles and the citizens of Odžak Municipality.
“This object improves our educational system, which is under the constitutional competence of cantons. Posavina Canton does not want to invest only in buildings and equipment - we want to help parents and create a positive climate in our schools. We believe this object will significantly contribute to that,” Prime Minister of Posavina Canton Đuro Topić said.
The construction of the sports hall will enable high-quality classes of physical education, organisation of sports competitions and development of cultural and recreational activities. The project will strengthen social inclusion, development of positive values and healthy lifestyle habits of the youth.
The total worth of the project is 1.410.000 convertible mark, and by now the Government of the Republic of Croatia, through the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, has secured 340,000 euro for the first and second project phases. Osijek-Baranja County has secured additional 20,000 euro.
“Children, I am confident that your laughter and friendship will fill these premises of the future sports hall. Be there for each other, take care of your families and your hometown. I am proud the Government of the Republic of Croatia participates in the construction of this hall, as well as many other projects across Bosnia and Herzegovina,” State Secretary Zvonko Milas said.
Firehouse in Donja Mahala - future civil protection centre
During the visit, the delegation also toured the firehouse in Donja Mahala, an object cofinanced by the Government of the Republic of Croatia through the Central State Office for Croats Abroad in the amount of 95,000 euro. The firehouse will, apart from its primary function, also serve the purpose of an operational centre for the protection against natural and other disasters in the City of Orašje and Posavina Canton.
Minister Bačić pointed out that the Republic of Croatia will continue to provide strong support to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a special emphasis on projects ensuring sustainability, economic development and good living conditions in local communities.
“Our fundamental foreign policy priorities include the path of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards membership in the European Union. Numerous projects through which the Republic of Croatia contributes to the acceleration of this path are visible in the daily work
of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. In 2025, through different projects financed from the state budget, a total of 135 million euro will be invested in these areas from different sections of the state budget,” the Minister concluded.