Cro Fond director Lazar Cvijin said that the signing of an agreement with Croatia’s State Office for Croats Abroad is expected soon, after which a new call will be launched for a programme supporting the development of agriculture within the Croatian community in Serbia.
The initial call for the programme, issued in January, unexpectedly received more than 300 applications, which led to its cancellation in order to allow for a possible increase in funding so that a larger number of applicants could be supported.
The Croatian government accepted requests from the HNV and Cro Fond to increase the support, raising the original €500,000 by an additional €1.5 million, to a total of €2 million.
Cvijin said the support programme should be encouraged and followed, as it is possible that the value of the funding package from Croatia could increase in the coming years.
Farmer and Croatian community activist Vinko Stantić said there is no mistrust among potential beneficiaries and that many have welcomed the new call.
On the other hand, some farmers believe the application process is complex, that it disadvantages people with lower levels of education, and that it is humiliating to have to prove Croatian affiliation even though they have been prominent activists in the Croatian community for decades.
Criticism of the implementation of the call, as well as its initial cancellation, has been repeatedly directed at Cro Fond and the HNV by the portal of the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV).
Decisions on financial support are part of a broader package of measures through which Croatia continues to provide assistance to Croats outside its borders, with the aim of preserving national identity, strengthening institutions, and encouraging the economic development of communities, according to Croatian-language media in Vojvodina.