- by croatiaweek
- July 19, 2026
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in
News
MADRID, 19 July 2026 (Hina) – Newly elected Vice-President of the Croatian Government’s Council for Croatians Living Abroad, Jelena Nadinić, has outlined plans to strengthen cooperation between Croatian communities in Latin America and Croatia, with a particular focus on the Croatian language and younger generations.
Nadinić, who represents around 300,000 Croatians and people of Croatian descent in Argentina, has served on the Council since 2018. In May, she was elected vice-president responsible for overseas countries.
Speaking to the Argentine portal CroLatam, Nadinić said one of her priorities during her four-year term would be to develop stronger links between Croatian communities across Latin America and institutions in Croatia.
She highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation between universities, research centres and professional organisations in Croatia and Latin America.
“There are numerous experts, scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators of Croatian descent in our region who can become a valuable bridge for new forms of cooperation and joint development,” Nadinić said.
The Council brings together representatives of Croatian communities from around the world. It advises the Croatian Government and works with representatives of state institutions on issues affecting Croatians living outside Croatia.
Its responsibilities include analysing the position of Croatians abroad, preparing recommendations and contributing to policies aimed at preserving Croatian identity, strengthening links with the homeland and supporting the development of Croatian communities internationally.
Language and young people among key priorities
Nadinić identified strengthening Croatian language education and learning, as well as the greater involvement and education of younger generations, among her main priorities.
She also plans to support the development of professional, business and academic networks between Croatia and Latin America, promote women’s leadership and participation in community life, and encourage regional projects linking Croatian communities in several Latin American countries.
She said that geographical distance and the generational gap between descendants and the homeland of their ancestors remain among the biggest challenges facing Croatians in Latin America.
Many descendants, she noted, maintain a strong emotional connection with Croatia but do not always have access to the language, exchange programmes or other opportunities that could deepen that relationship.
Nadinić said this made it important to expand opportunities for scholarships, educational programmes, youth exchanges, cultural projects, business meetings and digital networking.
Connecting Croatian communities across Latin America
She also welcomed the first Week of Croatians Living Outside the Republic of Croatia, held in Zagreb in May.
According to Nadinić, the event gave representatives of Croatian communities from all continents an opportunity to exchange experiences, establish new networks of cooperation and engage directly with Croatian institutions.
Alongside her work on the Council, Nadinić is the founder and coordinator of CroActivas, a network bringing together 1,080 women of Croatian descent from Latin America.
The network carries out cultural, educational and humanitarian projects aimed at strengthening the links between the Croatian diaspora and Croatia.
