Croatia - ICT industry position paper 2024

The ICT industry position paper developed by HUP - ICT Association aims to map the current biggest challenges faced by the Croatian information and communication (ICT) industry, which prevent it from achieving its full potential. The idea of this document is to provide clear, concise and above all measurable proposals and recommendations, necessary for the continued strong growth of one of the flagships of the Croatian economy. The ICT industry position paper is considered in the short and medium term and is intended for all stakeholders in the political process and the industry.

The 5 steps to strengthen the Croatian ICT industry are:

• Creating a Stimulating Business Environment

• Addressing the Lack of Highly Qualified Workforce

• Promoting Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I)

• Strengthening the Partnership Between Industry and Public Administration

• Improving Network Infrastructure

The medium-term measures include:

• Increasing enrollment quotas for high school programs by 25% to 35% to provide a strong foundation in natural sciences for students entering ICT studies. ​

• Modifying and optimizing the four-year vocational education system to reduce the number of specific curricula and increase the number of natural science subjects. ​

• Ensuring specialization through regional competence centres, middle schools, and specialized institutions.

HUP-ICT Association proposes to improve the education system by:

• Adapting the education system to create additional STEM majors in higher education.

• Increasing enrollment quotas for high school programs to provide a strong foundation in natural sciences for students entering ICT studies.

• Modifying and optimizing the four-year vocational education system to reduce the number of specific curricula and increase the number of natural science subjects.

• Ensuring specialization through regional competence centres, middle schools, and specialized institutions.

• Securing additional funds from European structural funds to start a larger number of ICT studios in foreign languages, with a focus on English.

• Promoting partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions to share best practices and attract young girls to STEM fields.

• Securing a minimum of 20 million euros per year from the European Social Fund for vouchers for digital jobs from 2026 to 2032 to achieve an 8% share of ICT experts in the workforce.

In the past ten years, the Croatian ICT industry has shown its ability to demonstrate the power of innovation, which has been recognized by the largest global players.