Government of the Republic of Croatia and UNICEF continue partnership for a better future for children in Croatia and around the world

Zagreb, 17 Feb 2026 — Organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and UNICEF Croatia, the annual meeting took place on Tuesday, 17 February, during which the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and UNICEF, together with a number of partners, looked back on the results jointly achieved in the past year, announced future priorities and emphasised the further strengthening of cooperation for the remainder of the current programming period.

UNICEF operates continuously in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Croatia, ensuring structural and long-term changes for children. Among many areas, the 2023–2027 cooperation programme includes the development and strengthening of protection and support systems for children, young people and families as well as foster care and other forms of alternative care, the development of services for children with developmental disabilities and their families, the prevention of violence against children, the prevention of obesity in children and mental health support as well as skills development for children and young people.

Particular attention was paid to children at risk of poverty and social exclusion, children in alternative care and children affected by crises, ensuring that every child has access to key services and development opportunities. These activities contribute directly to the National Development Strategy 2030 of the Republic of Croatia and other key strategies, such as the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the National Plan for Children’s Rights and the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the European Child Guarantee.

In the 2026–2027 period, UNICEF will continue to support the delivery of priority interventions and reforms and bring together key stakeholders as well as build strategic partnerships to strengthen care, protection, education and support systems for children in Croatia.

While cooperation between UNICEF and the Croatian government remains largely focused on supporting children in Croatia, significant efforts are also being made for children in need in some of the most challenging environments worldwide. Since 2018, the Government of the Republic of Croatia has implemented, through cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and UNICEF, important projects targeting the needs of the most vulnerable children in ten countries around the world.

Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Croatia is part of a broader, global action by UNICEF, which, in its 80^th year of operation, stresses even more the need to invest in the resilience of systems intended for children, especially in the context of growing humanitarian crises, famine, climate shocks and forced migration. Through global appeals and programmes, as well as in the national context, UNICEF aims to ensure that children are not forgotten in times when needs are rapidly increasing and resources are limited.

In partnership with national governments, organisations and with the support of donors, UNICEF continues its mission and affirms its important role in creating a fairer and safer world for children — in Croatia and around the world.