Program

The commission responsible for resolving administrative issues in the process of citizens declaring their national affiliation in the voter register is a core aspect of our work plan. To this end, a continuous information campaign will be carried out, along with a campaign to facilitate access to the relevant administrative bodies responsible for managing the voter register in the county and the City of Zagreb. Additionally, a field survey will be conducted among members of the Bosniak national minority with the goal of creating a social map containing demographic data about Bosniaks in the Republic of Croatia.

The work of the Bosniak Media Center and the establishment of Radio “Sevdah,” alongside its educational role, will aim to inform the public about the activities, work, and actions of the Bosniak national minority in the Republic of Croatia. The vision of Radio “Sevdah” also embraces multiculturalism, offering content from the rich treasure trove of Bosniak music and traditional culture.

The purchase, construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of cultural centers and community halls for the Bosniak national minority in Zagreb, Rijeka, Sisak, Labin, Pula, Gunja, Dubrovnik, Vojnić, and other locations where there is a need, as well as the renovation and equipping of spaces for existing associations, councils, and cultural-artistic societies, ensures the continuous and quality operation of institutions that advocate for the preservation of Bosniak rights in the Republic of Croatia.

Since 2018, Bosniaks in Croatia have had the opportunity to attend the subject “Bosnian Language and Culture” under the Model C curriculum in primary and secondary schools. Currently, a significant issue is the lack of appropriate textbooks for the implementation and execution of this program. Therefore, it is crucial to provide a suitable textbook for students attending the “Bosnian Language and Culture” subject under Model C. Additionally, there is a need to expand the number of scholars who academically engage with the subject of the Bosnian language. The Department of Bosnian Studies represents a long-standing aspiration of Bosniaks, and with the introduction of Bosnian language and culture into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools, it becomes both a necessity and a demand. This initiative is one of the key elements for the future of the Bosnian language in Croatia. The initiative to establish the Department of Bosnian Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, is of great importance for members of the Bosniak national minority. Through scientific research aimed at strengthening knowledge about the Bosniak national minority, in line with general scientific standards, the foundations for the establishment of this department are being laid.

It is planned to sign a cooperation agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the objectives of which will be to improve the status of the Bosniak national minority in the Republic of Croatia, promote interethnic and interreligious tolerance, and foster understanding of Bosniak and Croatian history, cultures, and customs. Bosniaks are one of the few national minorities that do not have a signed cooperation agreement between the country they live in and their country of origin. A bilateral agreement between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina would bring significant improvements to the organizational potential among Bosniaks in Croatia.

All necessary measures will be taken for the reconstruction and construction of roads, regardless of whether they are state, county, local, or unclassified roads, with the aim of improving the quality of life for all citizens in areas where basic municipal infrastructure is insufficiently developed. The establishment of playgrounds, parks, sports clubs and fields, as well as outdoor parks in areas lacking such facilities, will also be prioritized in order to improve living conditions and encourage demographic growth.

Due to the significant contribution of the Islamic Community in the Republic of Croatia to communal life, the general welfare, and the image of the Republic of Croatia in the world, it is necessary to provide support to this religious community in order to successfully complete the construction or renovation of religious and educational facilities. Special emphasis is placed on the renovation of the mosque in Zagreb, the construction of Islamic centers in Maljevac, Pula, and Dubrovnik, as well as the construction of cemeteries for the municipalities of Gunja and Drenovci.

As a result of the significant contribution of Bosniaks to the defense of the Republic of Croatia, cooperation between Bosniak veterans’ associations arising from the Homeland War and the relevant Ministry will continue and be enhanced. Cooperation with veterans’ associations of the Bosniak national minority will be realized through projects of broader societal importance.

• Establishment of a central library for the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Croatia.
• Purchase or donation of space for the Cultural and Educational Society Slovenski dom in Zagreb.
• Construction and equipping of buildings and spaces for associations and councils of Albanian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, and Slovenian national minorities, including cultural and artistic societies.
• Establishment of a cultural center for the Montenegrin national minority. A central library for the Montenegrin national minority can be established in one of the existing libraries in the Republic of Croatia, following the model of central libraries for other national minorities.
• Equipping and upgrading the building of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in Zagreb and other areas where such need arises.