- by croatiaweek
- April 17, 2026
-
in
News
Sveta Nedelja (Photo: rom@nski photo/CC BY 2.0)
SVETA NEDELJA, Croatia – Croatia’s Minister of Demography and Immigration, Ivan Šipić, has praised the town of Sveta Nedelja for its forward-thinking demographic policies during a recent working visit.
The visit highlighted a range of measures designed to improve the quality of life for families with children and to encourage young people to remain in Croatia.
Mayor Dario Zurovec presented a series of new initiatives aimed at expanding support for families, noting that the policies were introduced in response to the real needs of parents and the wider community.
Among the measures is the so-called “Grandparent Service”, which provides financial compensation to grandparents who care for preschool children unable to secure a place in kindergarten due to capacity shortages.
The initiative is intended not only to ease the burden on working parents but also to provide additional income for pensioners, while strengthening intergenerational ties and family cohesion.
In addition, the city has introduced support for unemployed parents, adoptive parents, and guardians with three or more minor children, particularly in cases where younger children are not enrolled in preschool due to a lack of available places.
Both measures provide a monthly allowance of €360 per child.
Minister Šipić commended the city’s approach, stating that Sveta Nedelja demonstrates how responsible and strategic governance can deliver tangible demographic results.
“These measures are not only social but also developmental, as they create a sense of security, encourage young families to stay in Croatia, and strengthen trust in institutions,” Šipić said, adding that the model could serve as an example for other communities across the country.
The discussions also highlighted continued investment in family infrastructure. Since Mayor Zurovec took office, the city has built and expanded more kindergarten facilities than previously existed, with plans underway for two additional centres.
Financial support for newborns has also increased significantly, now ranging from €1,500 to €4,000, placing Sveta Nedelja among the most generous cities in Croatia for young families.
At the same time, funding for early childhood education continues to grow. Subsidies for kindergarten and childcare services have been raised to €360 per child per month, while the full basic cost is covered for third and each additional child.
Mayor Dario Zurovec and Minister of Demography and Immigration Ivan Šipić (Photo: Minister of Demography and Immigration)
The visit concluded with an emphasis on the importance of stronger cooperation between local and national authorities in implementing effective demographic policies, with the shared goal of creating a supportive environment for families and children across Croatia.
