The fourteenth Official Development Assistance project of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and UNICEF focuses on support for Moldova

Zagreb, March 19, 2025 – Today, the fourteenth consecutive agreement was signed between the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and UNICEF, ensuring the continuation of a successful seven-year cooperation within the framework of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, aimed at addressing the needs of children in less developed countries and those affected by humanitarian crises.

While the cooperation between UNICEF and the Government of the Republic of Croatia continues to primarily focus on supporting children within Croatia, significant efforts are also being made to assist children in some of the world’s most challenging environments. In accordance with the agreement signed today, the Government of the Republic of Croatia has extended a financial contribution of 600,000 euros to UNICEF, intended to support children and families in Moldova. This donation will be disbursed over a three-year period, spanning from 2025 to 2027. The funds will be allocated to strengthening health and education infrastructure, supporting the social welfare system, and addressing energy insecurity caused by the war in Ukraine.

This financial contribution builds upon the previous one from March 2023, which funded the procurement of eight generators for social and healthcare institutions in Moldova, with a particular focus on assisting women and children. Moldova is facing a severe energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine, which has disproportionately affected its most vulnerable populations. Currently, over 127,000 Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, are in Moldova, making it the country with the highest number of refugees relative to its population.

„The Republic of Croatia and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) continue their successful cooperation aimed at long-term improvements for children and people in need worldwide. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and UNICEF are working together to ensure children's fundamental rights to health, nutrition, protection, education, and social inclusion. As part of this cooperation, in 2023, eight generators were provided for hospitals, schools, and water supply companies in the Republic of Moldova. Today, we are further strengthening this support by signing an Agreement worth 600,000 euros, through which Croatia is helping to strengthen Moldova’s health, education, and social infrastructure and mitigate the consequences of energy insecurity. As a country that has experienced war and crises, the Republic of Croatia understands the importance of solidarity and continues to support the Republic of Moldova and its citizens in these challenging times.”, said Gordan Grlić Radman, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

Since 2018, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, through its cooperation with UNICEF, has implemented crucial projects addressing the diverse needs of the most vulnerable children in 10 countries. These efforts have included providing better learning and playing conditions for refugee children in Jordan and Lebanon, humanitarian aid for children in Yemen and Gaza, primary healthcare for children and mothers in Egypt, infrastructure support, and power generators for hospitals, schools, and water supply systems in Moldova and Ukraine, schools in earthquake-affected areas in Türkiye, and support for girls' education in Ethiopia and Kenya. The total value of the subject investments in development assistance for children amounted to 5.1 million euros.

“I would like to sincerely thank the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for their longstanding and consistent partnership and shared vision, which affirms that investing in a child-centered world is not only possible but essential. In a time when children’s lives around the world are threatened by multiple crises, and delivering aid becomes increasingly challenging, such partnerships are more crucial than ever. Our successful joint projects, focused on development and humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable children and families, have been recognized internationally and serve as a foundation for international advocacy, promoting the continuation and expansion of development aid that supports children in need. Every child whose childhood and growth are threatened by war, natural disasters, or other adverse circumstances deserves a chance. We will never give up on that. We continue to work tirelessly for the well-being of children in Croatia and around the world” concluded Luisa Brumana, UNICEF Croatia Representative.

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Official Development Assistance (ODA) refers to activities and measures designed to promote sustainable development in less developed countries, and the activities are financed from the budget of the Republic of Croatia and used in accordance with the regulations of the OECD Development Assistance Committee on Official Development Assistance.

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