Croatia is making 698,600 euros available for scholarships and school projects. The scholarship operates through employers and comes with obligations. Schools apply for project funding through a separate process.
Two programmes, not a grant for everyone
The tourism ministry has presented two funding routes for young people entering the sector: 408,600 euros for scholarships and 290,000 euros for school projects. Together, they total 698,600 euros. Both calls were published on the funding page on 12 October; the summary announcement followed on 13 October.
For young people, the monthly figure is initially the attraction: 266 euros. The ministry contributes 186 euros and the participating employer 80 euros. This is neither an additional monthly salary nor a freely available payment to everyone interested in tourism.
The employer submits the application
The scholarship programme is aimed at eligible employers in catering, accommodation, travel agencies and marinas. They apply to participate and select suitable scholarship recipients. Recipients must be regularly enrolled pupils or students on the specified training courses, or on courses whose relevance can be justified, and must not be in employment.
Funding is arranged for September to June. After the contract is signed, the first payment also covers the period already elapsed since September; monthly payments follow. Supervised practical training is part of the model. Prospective recipients should therefore ask not just about the money, but about the training placement, mentor and specific duties.
Funding comes with binding obligations
The guidelines require satisfactory progress in education and generally provide for at least three consecutive months of work with the participating employer after graduation. Agreed work through a pupil or student employment service is also possible under the stated conditions. Work already performed during training may count towards the requirement if an appropriate agreement is made.
The less publicity-friendly part also matters: breaches of contract can lead to repayment demands. The documents require notarised blank debt instruments as security. Before signing, recipients or their legal representatives should fully understand the obligations, security requirements and consequences of withdrawing; the monthly payment alone does not describe the offer.
Schools have a separate funding route
Eligible public vocational, arts and combined secondary schools can receive up to 5,500 euros per individual project, or up to 11,000 euros for collaboration between at least two schools. Their founding body must be the City of Zagreb, a county or the Republic of Croatia. A school may submit only one project as an applicant.
The official funding overview gives 12 November 2026 for both procedures, whereas the call PDFs state the deadline as 30 days from publication. Submit early and, if in doubt, ask the ministry to confirm the binding closing date. The scholarship call is also open only until funds are exhausted. Applications are submitted through eTurizam with the appropriate authority to represent the applicant. For pupils and parents, the first useful question is therefore which business or school is actually participating.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
- Glavina: almost 700,000 euros to strengthen the tourism workforceMINTS · 13 October 2026Budgets for both programmes
- Tourism – public callsMINTS · 12 October 2026; checked 16 OctoberPublished closing dates and electronic submission route
- Applicant guidelines – SCHOLARSHIPS 2026MINTS · 2026; checked 16 OctoberEmployers and recipients, amounts, payments, practical training, work obligation and security
- Applicant guidelines – school projectsMINTS · 2026; checked 16 OctoberEligible schools, project limits and partnerships
