The award was presented by Plataforma per la Família Catalunya-ONU, whose board of directors includes the Catalan association of large families, FANOC.
The Large Families Association of Croatia (Obitelji 3plus) has entered a new chapter with the election of a new Governing Board. Dr. sc. Josipa Nemet was elected President of the Association, while Karlo Vuković was elected Vice-President. The new leadership is committed to further strengthening support for large families and advocating for family-friendly policies in Croatia.
One of the highlights of this period was the international recognition received by Croatia’s family policy. Croatia’s Minister of Demography and Immigration, Ivan Šipić, received the international “Fighter for Families” Award, presented by Plataforma per la Família Catalunya-ONU in Barcelona.
The award recognizes his contribution to making Croatia one of the European Union countries with the most generous support for families through measures that strengthen parenthood and respond to demographic challenges.
New president of Obitelji 3plus, Dr. Josipa Nemet, attended the award ceremony together with Raul Sanchez, secretary general of ELFAC and executive director of FANOC, and State Secretary Mladen Barać, who accepted the award on behalf of the Minister.
Among the key family policy measures implemented in Croatia are:
- a substantial increase in parental benefits during the child’s first year of life,
- extended financial support for families with three or more children until the child’s third birthday,
- the extension of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child.
These achievements reflect years of continuous advocacy by Obitelji 3plus, which has actively promoted stronger support for parents and large families through constructive cooperation with public institutions and decision-makers.
Obitelji 3plus also participated in the first consultation on Croatia’s new Demography Act, organized by the Ministry of Demography and Immigration. During the meeting, the Association contributed proposals and recommendations aimed at creating long-term demographic and family policies that provide greater security and support for families raising children.
The Association remains committed to working with national and European partners to build a more family-friendly society and improve the quality of life of large families in Croatia.