City of Split and UNICEF Continue Their Partnership for the Well-being of Children and Young People

Split, 31 August 2026 – UNICEF and the City of Split today signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming their shared commitment to creating better opportunities for children, young people and families, and to further developing local initiatives that contribute to their well-being. The agreement was signed by Luisa Brumana, Representative of the UNICEF Office for Croatia; Tomislav Šuta, Mayor of the City of Split; Vlado Pehar, Director of Čistoća Split; and Ivica Perić, Director of Vodovod i kanalizacija Split.

The new Memorandum of Understanding focuses on strengthening support for children and families, with particular emphasis on the inclusion of the most vulnerable children and young people and on ensuring equal opportunities for their development and participation in the community. The City of Split will also support the implementation of UNICEF’s educational and humanitarian programme Schools for Africa, aimed at fostering a culture of tolerance and solidarity in kindergartens and schools, as well as promoting UNICEF’s projects, activities and humanitarian campaigns, including Childhood Guardians, UNICEF’s regular monthly giving programme.

“Children thrive and reach their full potential when they are surrounded by a community that supports them, protects them and invests in their development. This is why we are pleased to continue our partnership with the City of Split, which has consistently demonstrated that the well-being of children and young people is among its key priorities. This new Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms our shared commitment to creating opportunities for children and young people, strengthening families and providing support to those who need it most. We are grateful to the City of Split for its longstanding trust and commitment to continuing to invest in the future of children together with UNICEF,” said Luisa Brumana, Representative of the UNICEF Office for Croatia.

“Today, we signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF, reaffirming both our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to strengthening it further. For the City of Split, investing in children and young people is not simply a matter of individual projects; it is about the kind of city we want to build. We want Split to be a city where every child has equal opportunities, where families receive the support they need, and where particular attention is given to those who need our help the most. It is especially significant that we are signing this Memorandum of Understanding in the year in which UNICEF marks its 80th anniversary. This important milestone serves as a reminder that our responsibility to care for children must be continually reaffirmed through concrete action. I am confident that, through our continued cooperation with UNICEF and the city’s utility companies, we will develop new initiatives and projects that make a tangible difference in the lives of children, young people and families in Split. I would like to thank UNICEF for our partnership to date, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years ahead,” said Tomislav Šuta, Mayor of Split.

This agreement marks the continuation of a long-standing and successful partnership between UNICEF, the City of Split and the city’s utility companies, focused on promoting children’s rights, strengthening support for families, and fostering solidarity and social responsibility within the local community. Through joint initiatives and fundraising activities, the partners have, over the years, enabled service users to contribute to creating an environment in which every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The renewal of this partnership is particularly significant in the year UNICEF marks its 80th anniversary. This important milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements made possible together with numerous partners, while also reminding us of the responsibility we all share towards children who continue to face poverty, exclusion, developmental difficulties and other barriers. That is why UNICEF and its partners remain committed to strengthening their efforts to ensure that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has an equal opportunity to grow up safe, healthy and supported.