Director Milas: “The Split-Dalmatia County is an example of the true bond with the diaspora.”
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, a Cooperation Agreement between the Split-Dalmatia County and the Croatian Heritage Foundation was signed in the premises of the Split-Dalmatia County, establishing joint activities on projects and programs related to connecting with Croats outside the Republic of Croatia and encouraging the return and strengthening of cultural ties and ties with the native land.
The agreement was signed by County Prefect Blaženko Boban and Director of the Croatian Heritage Foundation Zdeslav Milas.
According to the signed document, cooperation includes establishing, maintaining and promoting ties with Croatian emigrants in overseas and European countries, with members of Croatian minorities in twelve European countries and with Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The agreement also includes enhancing cooperation with cultural, educational and scientific institutions, associations and prominent individuals of Croatian descent.
Prefect Blaženko Boban highlighted that the Split-Dalmatia County has, for many years, been investing in strengthening relations with emigrants and creating conditions for the return of descendants of Croatian families from all over the world.
“Our people around the world feel the warmth of their homeland through the Croatian Heritage Foundation and know that they are not alone in their communities. This agreement confirms this bond – as one body, one soul. Through the Back to the Roots project and the Homeland Summer School program, we strive to bring young people of Croatian descent closer to their roots, and to help those who want to stay in Croatia with scholarships and accommodation. I’m especially pleased that we will soon open the Emigration Museum on Brač,” said Boban.
The director of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, Zdeslav Milas, thanked County Prefect Boban and the Split-Dalmatia County for their many years of support, underlining that the Split branch of the Croatian Heritage Foundation is the most active in Croatia.
“The cooperation between the county and our Split branch is an example of true commitment to our emigrants. A large number of our people in South America derive from Dalmatia, so this connection is extremely important. The initiative of establishing the Emigration Museum on Brač is a valuable project, because our emigrants do not mention only Croatia, but the specific area they come from, their city, town or village. In addition to cultural and educational programs, we also work on practical issues related to returning – from language learning to accommodation and providing day care for the children of returning families. Particularly pleasing is the fact that, since 2024, we have more cases of people returning than emigrating,” said Milas.
The head of the Split branch of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, Ante Ćaleta, said that this agreement represents much more than a formal document.
“This is a compilation of passion, love and friendship. Since I assumed the position of branch head, the County has become my second home. This agreement is both formally and symbolically the cornerstone of our joint efforts with emigrants and returnees, especially through the Back to the Roots program and cooperation with local communities and associations,” said Ćaleta.
The agreed-upon activities envisage projects of a cultural, scientific, educational, sports, publishing and media character, as well as the promotion of heritage and roots tourism, encouragement and assistance in the return of Croats and the implementation of measures and programs for their integration.
The funds for the implementation of the Agreement will be planned in the budgets of the Split-Dalmatia County and the Croatian Heritage Foundation, and the annual plan of activities will be defined by 30 November for the following year.
Text and photo: SDC/CHF
