ZAGREB, 11 January, 2022 - Zagreb Deputy Mayor Luka Korlaet said on Tuesday that by 2025 the city will build 14 new schools, relocate one and reconstruct 14 existing schools, which will cost a total of HRK 1.6 billion.

We have HRK 2.7 billion worth of projects prepared until the end of our term for the reconstruction and construction of new kindergartens and elementary and secondary schools, and we plan to apply for EU funds, said Korlaet.

He also spoke about the EU "Owl" project, worth HRK 25 million, involving five city kindergartens that will provide extended working hours for a period of 20 months.

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said the new city administration spokesperson will be Dinka Živalj, former Head of Communication/Spokesperson at the European Union Office in Kosovo.

January 11, 2022 - Krk Outdoor - a rebranding of the island launched this year to cater to active tourism. 

With the joint funds of all local governments and Krk Island tourist boards, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and coordinated tourist board funds, a new "Krk Island outdoor brand and communication strategy" was created, reports Novi List.

Director of the Krk Tourist Board, Majda Šale, said that this is a new step forward in promoting the trump card of the island's tourist offer. The strategy was created in cooperation with the Studio Conex agency from Samobor. It was formally adopted after a recent presentation to the directors of all local tourist board offices and the Krk Island Tourist Board members.

"In addition to representatives of local self-government units and tourist boards, a significant number of external associates and partners were involved, especially those with whom the Krk Island Tourist Board cooperates in the segment of organizing and implementing outdoor projects and programs - an offer that is the focus of our new strategic document," said Šale, emphasizing that the mentioned plan is based on the concept of sustainable and balanced development of tourism on Krk, among other things through its branding and development as an outdoor destination.

This type of offer has the power to attract many new visitors in the pre and post-season. The mentioned document analyzes the current state of Krk's outdoor activities, following which strategic guidelines for building the "Krk outdoor" brand were processed and determined. Its main goal is to create a market identity and recognition of this offer. The inputs to which answers are given are diverse tourist products and the development of new products and programs harmonized with the interests and needs of modern guests, i.e., with recent trends in tourism, on an island that is easily accessible, highly developed, and environmentally sustainable, continued Šale.

The newly presented brand and the communication strategy that will promote Krk outdoor in the future will include a series of activities that will take place in phases, including education, creating a database of island outdoors, and organizing internal events. The strategy also defines ways of cooperating with local media, building websites and producing promotional materials, managing social networks, advertising, appearances at fairs, and other activities that we believe will ultimately lead to a unique island image, greater recognition of Krk as an outdoor destination and finally, to its better positioning in the emitting markets, says the head of the island's tourist board.

With the new strategic and planning steps, the island's tourism workers have kicked off the rebranded tourist offer by designing a new promotional logo.

"After fifteen years using the current Krk Tourist Board logo, we started redesigning it last year, necessary to achieve better visual recognition and adapt to new market demands. We are convinced that the new logo is a modern logo that will achieve even higher recognition of Krk Island. The newly created "book of standards" will provide a more professional approach to producing all our future promotional materials. The authorship of the new logo is designer Valter Stojšić. It consists of three colors - green, yellow, and blue, the colors of the island that symbolize nature, the color of the sun and the "golden island," and the sea.

The logo is stylized in the contours of Krk, with an inscription and typography on several language mutations according to the markets to which we will target it. The new logo will be placed on all new promotional materials, used in the official correspondence of the Krk Tourist Board, at fairs, and in all future advertising, concluded Šale, adding that its official use will begin in 2022.

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

ZAGREB, 11 January, 2022 - In the last 24 hours, Croatia has conducted 18,404 cooronavirus tests, and 43% of them, that is 7,956, have returned positive, the national COVID-19 crisis management team reported on Tuesday.

There have been 38 more COVID-related deaths, raising the COVID death toll to 12,956.

Currently, Croatia has 46,828 active cases, and of them, 1,824 are hospitalised COVID patients, including 233 placed on ventilators.

Since the first registered case of the infection with coronavirus in Croatia on 25 February 2020, 775,139 people have contracted the virus, and of them 715,355 have recovered, including 2,703 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

To date, 63.75% of adults have fully been vaccinated.

ZAGREB, 11 January, 2022 - The average take-home pay earned in October in the City of Zagreb amounted to HRK 8,267 (€1,102), and was by 1,127 kuna (€150) higher than the average salary for the whole of Croatia, which totalled HRK 7,140 ((€952) for October.

The average net wage for October in the Croatian capital city increased 6.5% on the year, the city's strategic planning department has reported

The gross average salary for October in Zagreb was HRK 11,452, rising 4.6% on the year.

The average net wage earned in Croatia in October amounted to HRK 7,140 (€952), which is an increase of 5.7% in nominal terms and of 1.8% in real terms compared with October 2020, the State Bureau of Statistics reported recently.

The gross monthly salary of HRK 9,597 in Croatia rose by 4.4% in nominal terms by 0.6% in real terms compared to October 2020. 

According to DZS data, the median net pay in October was HRK 6,039, which means that half of the people employed earned wages below that amount and half earned wages above that amount.

January 11, 2022 - Split-Dalmatia County, with partners the Sunce Association and the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IZOR), joined the Sushi Drop project to preserve the Adriatic and develop non-invasive methods of marine monitoring.

The Adriatic Sea boasts one of the highest productivity and biodiversity, but it is also significantly influenced by human activities such as fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. Scientific research and monitoring of fish communities have been conducted for decades. Still, the depth of fauna has been poorly researched, and fishing regulation measures apply to the shallower areas of the Adriatic, where fishing mostly takes place, reports Dalmacija Danas.

Existing knowledge of the sea has been consolidated by many years of research in areas up to 50 meters deep. On the other hand, a better understanding of the observed habitats is essential due to the greater effectiveness of existing protection measures and new conservation measures based on scientific evidence. That is why it is imperative to monitor the state of marine ecosystems and conduct research in a non-invasive way because traditional tools (brakes and divers) have limitations. The number of dives per day is limited, and diving at depths greater than 40 meters is dangerous. At the same time, trawls are extremely indiscriminate because they affect almost all organisms on the route during the retreat.

Udruga Sunce

Therefore, to preserve the Adriatic and develop non-invasive methods of marine monitoring, Split-Dalmatia County, with partners the Sunce Association and the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IZOR), joined the SUSHI DROP project (Sustainable Fisheries with DROnes Data Processing), which, after two years of work, in cooperation with Italian partners, was completed. The project's total value was 1,714,847.50 EUR, and it was financed through the EU program Interreg Italy - Croatia.

During the project, a survey was conducted among key stakeholders to confirm that they are well aware of the existence and importance of using non-invasive technological solutions. Then, in the Split channel, marine habitat sampling was carried out to collect data on the state of benthic communities using various methodologies: conventional hut survey was conducted by IZOR, the Sunce Association conducted diver sampling, and drone sampling was conducted in cooperation with Croatian and Italian partners. The results obtained by different methods regarding the quality of the collected data were compared, as well as the amount of time and resources invested. It was confirmed that the drone could significantly contribute to data collection and determining the situation in research. Depending on the goal and purpose of the research, it may be the only method, or it may be used as an additional technology. The advantages of using drones are the reduction of risks associated with the work of divers, the accuracy of the calculation of the abundance index of marine organisms, and the ability to assess biodiversity at depth.

Udruga Sunce

All data collected by traditional methods and drones are available on the Geographic Information System (GIS) - an open-access database created in the project's final phase and open to scientists, researchers, non-governmental organizations, entities involved in the blue economy, and decision-makers.

Since the underwater drone can only obtain data on the current state of the study area, it will gain importance only after a long period of monitoring the set parameters. It can be used to monitor the condition of Posidonia meadows, coral extinction due to temperature, and climate change. It allows the collection of data to create detailed 3D views of the study area, which helps to explore the seabed and the reef. Also, the advantage of exploring the sea by underwater drone is that the exact boundaries of individual habitats could potentially be defined.

The SUSHI DROP project also resulted in a proposal of possible measures to protect biological diversity in the considered habitats, taking into account socio-economic factors. It is advisable to modify fishing equipment and techniques to reduce by-catches, increase the number of fish species for which assessments are made, establish and harmonize national administrations for all significant fishing areas and monitor climate change more closely. Among the recommendations are the diversification of fishing activities, the application of branding, and the certification of products obtained from the sea to improve their quality and increase value.

It is also essential to promote an approach based on joint decision-making in fisheries and environmental protection, involving all relevant stakeholders: fishers, NGOs, and decision-makers. Only a common approach can establish long-term sustainable fisheries in a preserved marine ecosystem and promote good practices and working methods to reduce human pressure on the marine environment.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

January 11, 2022 - Last year's most successful Croatian boxer, Luka Plantić, returns to the professional boxing ring this year! 

The Croatian boxer advanced to the round of 16 of the light heavyweight category at the Tokyo Olympic Games and the World Championships in Belgrade last year and was the junior champion of Europe and the junior vice-champion of the world in 2014. He also won the bronze medal at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China.

Three years ago, he fought in the professional ring and recorded three wins in three appearances in Germany. He has booked a professional match in Miami on February 11, 2022, and is traveling to America this week. Upon his arrival in Florida, he will find out the name of his first opponent, reports Gol.hr.

Professional fights in Miami are organized by the celebrated Cuban coach Pedro Luis Diaz Benitez, one of the most respected boxing coaches in the world, who also holds the Doctor of Sports Sciences title. At the beginning of his professional career, Pedro Diaz also coached Croatian bronze medalist (Rio 2016) Filip Hrgović. 

The Torcida Split Boxing Club announced that Branimir Malenica would also fight in Miami at the Pedro Diaz event on February 11 this year, reports Dalmacija Danas.

Boxer Branimir Malenica spoke on the occasion:

"We are delighted to fight at this boxing event. In December 2021, Luka and I were at a training camp in Switzerland with Pedro Diaz. Special thanks to Ivan Dijaković, who believed in us and attended that training camp.

Pedro Diaz was satisfied with our training and expressed his desire to fight in Miami. He was the Cuba national team coach from 1992 to 2004, which won 20 gold, six silver, and three bronze medals in that period!

Luka Plantić has a very successful career in amateur boxing, and he competed at the Olympic Games in Tokyo," said Malenica.

Branimir Malenica has 73 senior matches in Germany behind him, while he achieved the first victory in the history of the Torcida Boxing Club. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.  

January 11, 2022 - The latest flight news as 16 Norwegian flights to Croatia will run this summer to four Croatian airports. 

Well-known Scandinavian low-cost airline Norwegian has announced 16 international scheduled flights from Scandinavia to four Croatian airports. This is a significant announcement, especially considering Norwegian's flight schedule to Croatia in the summer of 2021 and 2020, reports Croatian Aviation.

Namely, there are significantly more scheduled flights to Croatia than in the last two years. Before the pandemic, Norwegian had considerably more traffic to Croatian airports. Still, the flight schedule, apart from the pandemic and the sharp drop in demand, was also affected by financial problems before the coronavirus.

Norwegian 2022 Summer Flight Schedule:

Helsinki - Pula - Helsinki, once a week, Saturdays, from 04.06.,

Oslo - Pula - Oslo, twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 04.06.,

Stockholm - Pula - Stockholm, once a week, Fridays, from 10.06.,

Bergen - Split - Bergen, three times a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 18.06.,

Copenhagen - Split - Copenhagen, twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 03.05.,

Helsinki - Split - Helsinki, twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 30.03.,

Oslo - Split - Oslo, once a week, Saturdays, from 16.04.,

Stavanger - Split - Stavanger, twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 18.06.,

Stockholm - Split - Stockholm, twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 04.05.,

Bergen - Dubrovnik - Bergen, once a week, Saturdays, from 18.06.,

Copenhagen - Dubrovnik - Copenhagen, once a week, Saturdays, from 02.04.,

Helsinki - Dubrovnik - Helsinki, twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 03.05.,

Oslo - Dubrovnik - Oslo, twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 04.06.,

Stavanger - Dubrovnik - Stavanger, twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 18.06.,

Stockholm - Dubrovnik - Stockholm, once a week, Saturdays, from 07.05.,

Copenhagen - Zagreb - Copenhagen, twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 25.06.

Norwegian remains focused on three Adriatic airports, while there are currently no announced flights to Rijeka, Zadar and Brač. In addition to Pula, Split and Dubrovnik, Norwegian plans to resume traffic on its seasonal line between Zagreb and Copenhagen, which should operate twice a week, from the end of June. Norwegian will use its B737-800 aircraft on these flights, which has a capacity of 189 seats.

In the peak summer season (July), Norwegian should have over 50 weekly flights to Croatian airports. However, the pandemic in Croatia and Scandinavian countries will undoubtedly influence the flight schedule in the coming months, especially at the beginning of the summer season.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

ZAGREB, 11 January, 2022 - Defence Minister Mario Banožić said on Monday that the decision on the procurement of fighting vehicles would be made by the end on January and that Croatia was in talks with the United States, which was offering Bradley fighting vehicles.

The minister also confirmed that the first two of four Black Hawk helicopters would arrive in Croatia in the first quarter of this year.

"We are in intensive talks with our ally, the US, which is our most important ally and has strongly supported the Croatian Armed Forces all these years, and I'm sure it will do so not only through fighting vehicles but through other current projects," Banožić said in an interview for the RTL Danas news bulletin.

The decision will be made by the end of January, said Banožić, commenting on the US message that Croatia should make the decision on whether it accepted the US offer on the procurement of Bradley fighting vehicles by the end of the month.

He also confirmed that in the first quarter of this year the first two Black Hawk helicopters would arrive in Croatia, followed by another two, and added that the hangars which would house them, and whose construction had fallen behind schedule, would be finished in the next six months.