The Minister for Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Ivan Šipić, attended the solemn session of the Općina Ružić (Opšćina Ružić) local council, held on the occasion of the local community day and the feast of the Little Virgin. At the ceremony, he congratulated the local residents, emphasising that demographic renewal requires the shared responsibility of all levels of government, from the state to local self-government, and that it is essential to create conditions in which young people can stay, work and raise families in the places where they were born.
The minister highlighted the importance of linking the return of emigrants with the revitalisation of rural areas, such as Opšćina Ružić, stating that this is crucial for the sustainable development of local communities. In support of this, he pointed out that parental benefits have reached almost €1 million, with the maximum allowance for parental leave increased from €995 to nearly €3,000. These measures are part of a broader strategy aimed at encouraging childbirth and supporting families, with an emphasis on the need for continuous investment in demographic renewal.
In addition to the measures mentioned, the minister highlighted the importance of investing in nurseries and playgrounds, with more than €40 million allocated. This investment is part of the government's broader effort to create more favourable conditions for families, including the announcement of a new demographic measure to be implemented in collaboration with the Croatian Children's Foundation. This measure involves a pilot scheme for the allocation of financial support for the purchase of seven-seater or larger vehicles for families with four or more children, thereby further supporting families with multiple children.
The minister stressed that these measures are part of a broader strategy aimed at encouraging childbirth and supporting families, and that it is essential that this approach continues, with measures continuously monitored and adapted to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability in the long term.
