Review article
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF CROATS IN BIH THROUGH EU FUNDS
Mirjana Milićević
; University of Mostar
Ilija Papac
; Federal Employment Service, Internal Audit Unit
Abstract
The European Union emphasizes the importance of strengthening the growth of
the European economy while at the same time working to achieve a high level of employment,
low carbon emissions, and social cohesion. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
should play a key role in achieving the goals of the “Europe 2020 Strategy for Smart, Sustainable
and Inclusive Growth”. In this context, there are economic growth programs such
as the cross-border cooperation and direct programs available to Bosnia and Herzegovina
to reach the status of a pre-candidate for the European Union. The COSME program is
intended for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as defined in the Commission
Recommendation 2003/361/EC1. Special attention should be paid to micro-enterprises,
then to trade businesses, self-employed persons, freelancers, and social enterprises. Funding
from the EU programs encourages projects that ensure long-term sustainable economic
growth. The counties with the Croat majority in BiH have already participated in
projects funded from the pre-accession assistance in cross-border cooperation programs.
The experiences gained by participating in these projects are cited as examples of good
practice and are an incentive for a more intensive approach to current economic development
programs. The aim of this paper is to present EU programs that can provide financial
support to economic entities in counties with a majority Croatian population as one of the
ways of sustainable development in the mentioned areas.
Keywords
EU programs; BiH; Croats; sustainable development; economy.
Hrčak ID:
234794
URI
Publication date:
4.6.2018.
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