Central State Office for Demography and Youth Launches Mudrica, E-card for Kids
December 23, 2020 - After the CRO card, a new, similar project has been launched, but this time for kids. Meet Mudrica - an e-card for children.
"The Mudrica e-kids' card is a project of the Central State Office for Demography and Youth, intended for parents and guardians, and whose use, in cooperation with the public and private sector, provides various benefits and discounts on products and services," reads the Mudrica description on Facebook, as reported by Index.hr.
Namely, Mudrica is a mobile application (iOS and Android) intended for parents, which provides benefits or discounts on goods or services with agreed partners. To activate Mudrica, you need to have an account with E-građani (E-citizens).
In short, in cooperation with partners, most of whom are state-owned, parents can receive discounts for their kids. The Ministry of Labor believes that Mudrica will be a plus for people when thinking about having children.
"The children's card is a symbol of social consensus on demographic renewal to promote families with more children," said State Secretary for Demography and Youth Zeljka Josic.
"This social consensus brings together a wide range of public and private partners from the cultural, economic, health, educational, sports, and other important areas for the family.
That is why we believe that the card, as a 'pronatal' measure that will provide more discounts and benefits for families with more children, will be implemented in everyday life of those who need it most - parents and their children," reads the Ministry's page where Mudrica is presented.
The e-kids' card brings together a wide range of public and private partners from the cultural, economic, health, educational, sports, and other important areas for the family. That is why the card is a symbol of social consensus around demographic renewal to promote families with more children. The range of benefits and services provided to families with children through the card and improving the family standard will also contribute to better disposal of family time in the daily hectic lifestyle.
All partners are listed at www.e-djecjakartica.hr, and by clicking on the partner, you can see the benefits and discounts it offers. Depending on the number of children in the family, the discounts increase. Partners can also be searched via an interactive map depending on the location. By clicking on the selected partner branch, you can also see the benefits or discounts offered.
The categories are divided depending on the number of children in the family (categories 1, 2, and 3+).
The list of Mudrica's partners is not impressive at the moment. The site lists just under 30 partners, most of whom are various nature parks and national parks, suggesting that the main benefit of Mudrica at the moment is getting discounts on tickets. There is also Borovo, another company that is kept alive by the state, where you can get a discount on shoes with the app.
According to what it offers so far, Mudrica is quite similar to the CRO card, a project announced by the Ministry of Tourism for years. The leaders of this project assured us that it would encourage domestic tourism. The project was launched this summer, 40,000 cards were ordered, but interest was lacking.
Given that the CRO card, which works similarly, proved to be a fiasco, Index.hr decided to ask the Central State Office for Demography and Youth how much the project cost taxpayers, among other things.
Namely, the total price of the Mudrica project is HRK 1,747,625.00 with VAT.
The kids' card project was conceived at the end of 2018 at the Ministry of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy as a stimulating family and population measure and support for parents and their children. As the legal successor of the Ministry - Central State Office for Demography and Youth, they continued to work on the development of the project from August 2020.
The idea for the project's design originated in the Sector for Demographic Development, and the project was and is worked exclusively by civil servants of the Central State Office for Demography and Youth. No person is additionally employed due to project work.
Incentive family and population measures are the priority of the Central State Office for Demography and Youth, aiming at the long-term improvement of demographic trends and creating a favorable and stimulating environment for families and youth.
Through a system of discounts and benefits for users with children, regardless of their income, Mudrica enables more favorable access to goods and services, i.e., improving the family standard.
This project aims to sensitize public and private companies and the general public to understand the needs of families with children and mutual support and solidarity. The goal is also to encourage society to family and population policy and empower families in raising children through benefits from public and private partners by actively participating and working together to deal with adverse demographic trends.
The project is designed in a way that is continuous and has no deadline. In the first year (2021), 25,000 users are expected.
Since the introduction of Mudrica, 389 users have registered in the last 24 hours, and this number is constantly increasing.
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Zlatko Dalic Interviews with FIFA: "Croatia Has a Bright Future"
December 23, 2020 - As 2020 comes to a close, Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalic interviews with FIFA about a hopefully bright year ahead.
Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalic interviewed for the official website of the International Football Federation, FIFA, in which he commented on the turbulent world of football in 2020 and announced the challenging 2021 for the 'Vatreni,' which is just around the corner.
FIFA introduced Dalic by remembering Croatia's fairy tale at the 2018 World Cup, where they lost in the final to France.
A lot has changed since then.
With Mario Mandzukic, Danijel Subasic, and Vedran Corluka retiring shortly after the World Cup silver, Dalic was forced to bring in promising young stars to the squad, hoping they could fill their shoes.
With talented youngsters, Dalic's Croatia qualified for the Euros, but that is nothing compared to the grueling 2021 ahead, with World Cup qualifiers beginning in March and the European Championship next summer.
Dalic was first asked about Croatia's World Cup qualifying group, including Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta.
"There are no easy groups because qualifying for the World Cup is a dream for every nation. We have a tough group, but we accept our position as a favourite in the group - we're the best-seeded team, and we are current World Cup silver medallists. We truly respect all opponents in the group," Dalic began.
"Obviously, the schedule will be very tight in March and September with three games in one week. It leaves almost no time for training, and with the long travels, it's very challenging for the players to play three so important games, especially with their club schedule also being quite exhausting. It will be important to plan very well and try to manage our resources the best that we can, to protect the players while going for the best results. However, it's the same for everybody, so we won't use that as an excuse.
The other issue is the fact that we have the EURO in the middle of the qualifiers, which is unusual, and it will also present a problem for all EURO participants. For instance, you are starting the qualifiers with one team, but it's possible that after EURO, some players retire from the national team, so you have to make important changes in the middle of the cycle," he continued for FIFA.
Asked about if he feels even more pressure because Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018, Dalic replied:
"I think people understand that 2018 was special and that you can't repeat that every two or four years. I think we had more pressure in 2018 when we knew it was probably a last chance for some of our senior players. Now, our pressure is to qualify - we want to be there, among the best.
Once we're there, we know that we have the quality, talent, and self-belief to beat anyone on a given night, but we also understand that Croatia is not in the first row of favourites - that's reserved for the biggest teams, such as France, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, Belgium or Portugal. Of course, as we showed in 1998 and 2018, that doesn't mean Croatia can't make a historic run, but I don't think we have pressure to do that."
Dalic spoke about how much the Croatia squad has changed since that final:
"Players such as Rakitic, Mandzukic, Subasic, and Corluka are no longer with us, and we have talented youngsters coming in and taking on bigger roles. We used the UEFA Nations League in 2018 and 2020 to give a chance to several new players, and we got through the EURO 2020 qualifying cycle quite well.
Luka Modric is still our leader, and with Brozovic and Kovacic alongside him, we still have one of the best midfields in the world. Senior players such as Perisic, Vida, and Lovren give us much-needed experience, and we also have young guns, such as Brekalo and Vlasic, who proved their potential, so we feel pretty good ahead when it comes to our future."
And what can Croatia achieve at the Euros next summer?
"We fulfilled our dreams in Russia - that was unforgettable for everybody involved, and for our fans as well. But it also gives us an extra motivation because we know how special it is to make the whole nation so joyful and proud. With the current pandemic going on, and so many lives lost, we understand that the whole nation will look at us to make them happy once again, and it's our obligation to do our very best to try to replicate that magic from Russia.
As I mentioned before - there are a few teams that are, objectively, ahead of us at the moment. But, we're pretty confident in our quality, and we surely won't admit to anyone they're better than us until they prove that on the pitch. And that's very difficult to do, because not only do we have the quality, but we also play with so much passion and togetherness for Croatia," Dalic said.
You can read the full interview on the FIFA website HERE.
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Run Rudolph, Run! Chops Grill Announces Photo Adventure Around Split
December 23, 2020 - Run Rudolph Run! Chops Grill has announced a prize game starting today, December 23, until December 31, 2020.
Because we should still enjoy the perks of Advent while we can!
Chops Grill is helping you enjoy the beauties of Split while taking photos next to the sights indicated on their Run Rudolph, Run map, just in time for the holidays.
To participate in the prize game, post a photo on your Instagram in front of one of the sights with a drink or delicacy from the Chops TO GO offer and tag @ChopsGrill restaurant. Every day, Chops will reward one post with an Advent breakfast TO GO!
ChopsGrill has made sure that this year's Advent on Marmontova did not pass without their favorite Christmas delicacies at promotional prices.
Open every day from 7.00 to 22.00, eat your way through Split at Chops TO GO, with breakfast treats such as savory croissants stuffed with scrambled eggs, pancetta, or salmon, eggburgers, and cheese toast.
Later in the day, dig into homemade sausages and bakalar to get into the Christmas spirit.
Follow Chops on Instagram to explore the offer and more!
To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
HZZ: Maximum Self-Employment Grant Raised to €17,300
ZAGREB, Dec 22, 2020 - The Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) has adopted new terms, conditions, and methods for the use of funds set aside for the government's active employment policy measures, the biggest novelty being that the upper limit for self-employment grants is raised to HRK 130,000.
The HZZ reported on Tuesday that the maximum aid for the expansion of business activities was also raised, to HRK 100,000.
According to the HZZ's press release, the active employment policy measures are designed to boost innovation and encourage businesses in the green and digital transition through the establishment of new criteria.
Applications for the use of funds from active employment schemes can be sent from 1 January to 30 November 2021, whereas applications for self-employment grants and grants for the expansion of business can be submitted until 31 October 2021. Applications can also be forwarded online.
Lovre Kalinic Returns to Hajduk!
December 22, 2020 - Lovre Kalinic is back at Poljud! The experienced 30-year-old goalkeeper will come to Hajduk Split on loan from Aston Villa until June 30, 2021.
Kalinic started his goalkeeping career at Hajduk at the age of nine and moved through all the younger age categories at the club. As a senior for Hajduk, he played seven first-league seasons, making a total of 134 official appearances.
He left Hajduk in December 2016 for Ghent, Belgium, where he was in goal for two seasons, after which he moved to Aston Villa. He spent the first half of 2020 on loan in Toulouse, France, and then returned to Aston Villa.
Kalinic recorded 11,962 official minutes for Hajduk, and as many as 50 times, his net remained free from goals. Lovre is also the club record holder, going 775 minutes without conceding a goal in HNL matches. The former Hajduk goalkeeper set that record from August 10 to October 24, 2015, when he did not concede a goal for a full eight games in a row. He made a total of 19 official appearances for the Croatia national team.
"I take this opportunity to thank President Jakobušić for initiating the story of my return. His wish was really great on my part as well, although I was offered several options from Belgium on the table. Many will say that Hajduk is currently poor in terms of results, but Hajduk is still a huge club. I was particularly intrigued by the story and project of a president who wants to create a strong and powerful club. From the first conversation, I felt positive, which is why I didn’t hesitate much. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m happy to be back. I can’t wait to join the team. We all need to come together and start working on big things," said Kalinic.
"Lovre, welcome, and we wish you good luck and success in the white jersey," Hajduk concluded on its website when announcing Lovre's return.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
First Persons to Get COVID Jabs in Split on Sunday
ZAGREB, Dec 22, 2020 - The head of the Split-Dalmatia County Institute of Public Health, Zeljka Karin, said on Tuesday that out of the first delivery of 8,000 COVID vaccines, which should be dispatched to Croatia on Saturday, 800 doses would be immediately distributed to Split where the vaccination could start on Sunday.
In the next ten to 15 days, additional deliveries of the COVID vaccine are expected to arrive.
According to Karin, the recommendation is that in Split, the first jabs should be administered to hospital staff who are in direct contact with COVID patients, as well as to personnel in the emergency wards. Patients with chronic diseases are also among the first to be vaccinated against COVID.
"After that, senior citizens in retirement homes will be vaccinated," Karin said at a ceremony at which a €16,300 hospital freezer for storage of vaccine doses was donated.
The 560-litre freezer, made in Japan, was provided by the Optika Anda company.
Croatian Postal Service Suspends Deliveries to UK
ZAGREB, Dec 22, 2020 - The Croatian national postal service HP has suspended deliveries to the United Kingdom until further notice following the discovery of a new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus in that country.
HP said in a press release on Tuesday that all types of transport from continental Europe to the UK have been suspended, including both outgoing and incoming postal deliveries.
HP said that the coronavirus pandemic has affected most postal operators in Europe, hampering the flow of traffic and causing delays.
Bozinovic: 55,000 Passes for Travel between Counties Requested
ZAGREB, Dec 22, 2020 - Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Tuesday that 55,000 applications had been received for intra-county travel passes, adding that 60% had been processed, of which 60% had been denied.
"About 40% of the applications are justified and passes have been issued," he told the press.
Bozinovic said a whole spectrum of questions was defined by the decision on travel passes and that many applications were being assessed by county civil protection authorities or the Civil Protection Directorate.
The eventual decision depends on whether the reason stated for requesting a pass to leave a county is considered necessary or unpostponable, he added.
Bozinovic would not say if the terms for obtaining a pass were more strict than those in force during the spring lockdown. He reiterated that the intention was to reduce contacts as much as possible.
He said people were more disciplined in recent weeks and that this was the most important thing for any COVID-19 measure to be successful.
He believes the measures so far have yielded results. "Everything has certainly yielding results. However, it all boils down to whether people will accept the measures. When they are widely accepted, they have a chance to be successful."
Bozinovic believes the restriction on movement between counties, in force until January 8, will achieve its goal. "Without it, there would have been much more movement these days that there will be."
"Let's try to refrain ourselves. The numbers we have now indicate a declining trend and it wouldn't be good if we had the numbers rising again and the pressure on the healthcare system rising again," he said.
A combination of responsible and disciplined behaviour as well as refraining from risky and evitable contacts, together with vaccination, should lead to a better epidemiological situation, he added.
The government will present a vaccination plan tomorrow. Bozinovic said everything was ready for the delivery of the first vccine batch on Saturday.
First Step Towards Construction of New Football Camp in Porec
December 22, 2020 - Yesterday, the City of Porec announced a tender for constructing the first phase of the football camp in Porec, one of the largest investments in sports in the past few years. The works are expected to open in mid-February 2021.
As reported from the City of Poreč, a football camp is being built to replace previous activities on the old football field in the city. The football camp will be used for training/school and preparatory activities of all ages of the Poreč Football Club "Jadran," as well as other football clubs' activities as needed and interested.
In accordance with FIFA / UEFA regulations
The football field area is 104x68 meters and five meters of a protective belt on each side, which makes 8,892 square meters. It will be located at Škagacer, near the turnoff for the Garbina settlement and not far from the Žatika sports hall.
The plan of the Football Camp in Poreč / Photo: the City of Poreč
"Our Football Club 'Jadran' is achieving excellent results this year, and certainly one of the greatest assets of each club is quality and dedicated work with youth facilities. In 'Jadran,' they are already doing great, but they deserve better infrastructure. 'Old Adriatic,' I think we can agree, does not offer the conditions that the largest youth drive in the city needs. Both children and their parents do not have parking spaces or places to pick up children safely.
This camp, and today we are talking about its first phase, which we are now starting to build, will also contain the necessary supporting facilities of the campus such as six modular facilities, parking, and other equipment. Poreč will thus develop additional potential as a city that has fields to host professional sports clubs, and perhaps national teams," said Loris Peršurić, the Mayor of Poreč, at yesterday's press conference.
The football camp is planned following the standards and norms prescribed by the current Rulebook on licensing clubs of the Croatian Football Association, following the relevant FIFA / UEFA regulations.
The plan of the Football Camp in Poreč / Photo: the City of Poreč
Poreč – the city of sports and healthy living
"Many cities like to call themselves a city of sports on paper, but that is what we are. Poreč has long recognized the importance of investing in sports. Today, we have six public sports halls, two private ones, 130 multipurpose and children's playgrounds, and many sports facilities. Also, Poreč has developed infrastructure for many athletes along the coast, outdoor gyms, and projects specially adapted to people with disabilities.
We are happy that Poreč, given the number of inhabitants, has many registered athletes. Many recreationists have developed a culture of sports and healthy living as the city itself has developed. That is why we are embarking on this investment, as we promised," concluded Mayor Peršurić.
Poreč is a home to many athletes / Photo: Poreč Tourist Board
The estimated value of the construction of the first phase is 10,500,000 kunas plus VAT. The City of Poreč-Parenzo has applied for co-financing this project to the Croatian Football Association and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. They hope that they will participate in developing this story.
Following the announcement of the tender, the works are expected to open in mid-February 2021. The location where the camp is planned to be built is on state-owned cadastral parcels.
'Let the infrastructure follow everything that is done in the field'
Head of the Administrative Department for Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection, Ph.D. Damir Hrvatin pointed out that this project is part of a larger story about sports in Poreč, which is being developed through spatial planning documentation from the '70s, with the construction of the Sports and recreation center "Veli Jože." Then, in the early 2000s, the zone "crossed" the main road with the construction of the Žatika sports hall.
Sports hall Žatika, built for the needs of the 2009 World Handball Championship held in Croatia / Photo: Sports community of the City of Poreč
"Today, when we think about Poreč in the 2030s and 2040s, we aspire to create a unique and central zone of sports, recreation, and greenery that stretches from the city center to the bypass. In this context, the Football Camp is one of the facilities, in which after the implementation of this first phase, it is planned to build several additional football fields, playgrounds for other sports, and additional facilities such as outdoor gyms and cross tracks," said Hrvatin.
Marko Kepčija, junior coach and head of the football school at the FC "Jadran "pointed out that this project is significant for the football club and the entire city.
"We are a club with almost 300 children from 5 to 19 years old. We also have a team of veterans and seniors, and we are talking about a large number of athletes, for whom the football camp will be a gathering and training place. Sports infrastructure helps athletes tremendously. I think that is one of the most important things for the development of young athletes.
We currently use the pitches in Zelena Laguna, which were also made according to FIFA standards. We used the pitch on the old football field, which was appropriate due to its location, but these facilities are not for adequate development and so many children. Our priority is for children to be active and develop and gain sports experience, which can later help them through life in general," said Kepčija.
Football club "Jadran" recently celebrated 70 years of existence, and many generations have gone through it.
"Our goals were to popularize football and to develop these children in sports through good work. We are on the way to make steps forward, both with the results and that the infrastructure follows everything that is done in the field," concluded Kepčija.
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Croatia Registers 1,595 New Cases of Coronavirus, 71 Deaths
ZAGREB, Dec 22, 2020 - In the past 24 hours 1,595 new cases of coronavirus have been registered in Croatia after more than 9,000 tests have been conducted, while 71 people have died as a consequence of COVID-19, the national COVID response team said on Tuesday.
There are currently 2,895 patients in hospital treatment and 294 of them are on ventilators.
Since the first case of coronavirus was detected in Croatia, a total of 197,323 cases have been registered and 3,328 people have died.
A total of 178,880 people have recovered from the disease, with 2,514 recovering in past 24 hours.
There are currently 15,115 active cases in the country and 48,166 people are in self-isolation.
A total of 964,313 persons have been tested since the outbreak of the disease in March, including 9,088 in the past 24 hours.
