Through last year’s participatory budgeting cycle, residents of Dubrovnik’s Lapad district voted to install public drinking fountains, a project that has now been successfully completed. A total of seven fountains have been placed along the route from the Lapad Post Office to the Babin Kuk promenade, including playgrounds in Solitudo and on Babin Kuk.

Each fountain offers three options: direct drinking, bottle refilling, and a lower outlet for pets. The works, carried out by ATIS Dubrovnik d.o.o., were valued at €56,200 including VAT.

Participatory budgeting allows citizens to directly influence how part of the city budget is allocated, shaping development in their local communities.

Meanwhile, voting is underway until September 28 for this year’s round of proposals. Residents can choose from 74 projects submitted across eight city districts and 17 local committees via the VoxPopuli online platform, accessible through the e-Građani system. Winning projects will be funded in 2026.

Croatian President Zoran Milanović met on Friday in St. Paul with Minnesota Governor Timothy James Walz during his working visit to the United States. The President traveled to Minnesota to visit the state’s National Guard base, a strategic partner of the Croatian Armed Forces for nearly three decades.

Speaking after the meeting, President Milanović highlighted the importance of this long-standing cooperation: “Military cooperation between Croatia and the Minnesota National Guard is important not only for tradition but also because it has grown into a close friendship over the years. Minnesota was the natural choice given its strong Croatian community and the legacy of leaders like Rudi Prpić,” he said.

The meeting included senior Guard officials, among them Major General Shawn P. Manke, Brigadier General Joe Sharkey, Major Thomas Miller, and Colonel Lisa Erikson. Talks focused on the 30-year partnership program, modernization of the Croatian military, and the global security situation.

Following his appearance at the UN General Assembly earlier this week, President Milanović also visited the headquarters of the 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” in Arden Hills, which oversees training and readiness of more than 23,000 soldiers across Minnesota and 23 other U.S. states.

In a time when many destinations chase growth at all costs, Dubrovnik is charting a different course—one focused on quality over quantity. That approach has now been recognized by BBC Travel, which published an interview with Mayor Mato Franković, presenting the city as a global example of sustainable tourism management.

The article, entitled "Disneyland to living city: Dubrovnik's bold fight against overtourism", written by award-winning journalist Laura Hall, praised Dubrovnik’s efforts to balance the needs of its residents with a high-quality visitor experience. Measures such as limiting cruise ship arrivals, regulating access within the city walls, tightening rules on short-term rentals, and investing in life inside the Old City were singled out as best practices.

"Most radically, a management plan created with the University of Dubrovnik has fixed the maximum number of people within the city walls at 11,200. Back in 2019, 9,000-9,500 cruise visitors arrived daily in peak season, on top of those entering by air or land. It's a system that's working. According to Frankovic, numbers never exceeded 10,500 this year, largely thanks to fewer cruise arrivals," writes the article. 

And adds "Perhaps most unconventional of all, the city is purchasing buildings in the old town to rent to young families and has established a school in a former palace. Paired with the new home-rental legislation, the aim is to rehouse residents and bring life back to a city hollowed out by tourism, reversing what has been described as a "Disneyfication" of Dubrovnik."

With a reach of 450 million users worldwide, BBC is among the most influential voices in travel media. Its coverage positions Dubrovnik at the forefront of destinations that prioritize residents’ quality of life and long-term sustainability over short-term profit.

Read the full article here

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The City of Dubrovnik has temporarily terminated the lease of public space to the restaurant Lajk on Prijeko Street after inspectors found the business occupying more space than permitted.

During an inspection on September 8, city officials determined that the establishment was using 276 cm of sidewalk instead of the allowed 240 cm, narrowing the busy pedestrian street and violating city regulations.

As a result, the lease was canceled for seven days. The tenant must remove all tables and chairs within one day of receiving notice. A new lease agreement may only be signed once the violation is corrected and after the suspension period expires.

City authorities announced they will continue stepped-up monitoring of public spaces within Dubrovnik’s Old Town to ensure accessibility and order.

A two-day intersectoral workshop “Stari grad Korčula 2025” was held on September 24 and 25 in Korčula, bringing together more than 40 participants from Croatia and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event gathered firefighters from Korčula, Lumbarda and Vela Luka, members of the Mountain Rescue Service, local police, conservators, museum professionals, and representatives of civil protection services. On the second day, experts from the Civil Protection and Firefighting Administration of Herzegovina-Neretva County also joined, giving the workshop a cross-border dimension.

Discussions focused on fire prevention in heritage buildings, emergency response, and the role of conservators and restorers in crisis situations. Participants also toured key cultural landmarks, including the Korčula Town Museum and the St. Mark’s Cathedral, to better understand the vulnerabilities of local heritage.

Experts from the Croatian Conservation Institute provided practical training on handling and evacuating artworks in case of fire or earthquake. Participants also received guidelines for the crucial first 48 hours of heritage protection, developed through the “CPforHeritage” project.

The workshop concluded with a nighttime firefighting drill in Korčula’s Old Town, simulating real emergency conditions.

The Croatian Parliament today voted against a proposal to formally recognize the State of Palestine. Out of 121 MPs present, 44 voted in favor, 4 abstained, and 73 opposed.

Lawmakers also voted on a separate proposal to suspend existing licenses for arms exports to Israel and to block new permits for transfers through Croatian territory. That motion was also rejected, with 46 in favor, 3 abstentions, and 71 against.

The debate comes just a day after President Zoran Milanović, speaking at the United Nations in New York, publicly stated that Croatia should recognize Palestine.

However, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman stressed that the conditions for recognition are not yet met. Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, he said: “Recognition at this moment is premature. Like some other key European countries, we believe that before such a step, it is essential to stop the conflict and secure the release of all hostages.”

The vote highlights a clear division in Croatia’s political leadership over the sensitive issue, as international momentum around Palestinian recognition continues to grow.

Croatia’s national ferry operator Jadrolinija transported 9.5 million passengers in the first eight months of 2025, matching last year’s result, while the number of vehicles carried rose 2% to 2.8 million, the company confirmed.

Both traffic and financial indicators point to stable growth and operations, according to Jadrolinija’s management. Asked about expected financial results for the year, the company stressed that while profit is not the sole measure of success, the outlook supports continued stability.

Looking ahead, Jadrolinija underlined that significant investments will be directed towards fleet renewal, maintenance, and enhanced safety measures. These remain the company’s strategic priorities, ensuring greater competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

The fifth edition of the humanitarian Lapad Run will take place on Saturday, September 27, at 9:30 a.m. in Lapad Bay, once again marking the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The race combines sporting enthusiasm with a powerful message about the importance of health. Interest has been overwhelming — all race spots were filled within days of registration opening.

“This makes us especially happy, because the race draws attention to the importance of prevention and the role of solidarity in fighting this serious illness. Once again, Dubrovnik’s citizens recognized the cause and responded,” said Du Motion director Alen Bošković, adding that part of the proceeds from race packages will go to the Dubrovnik League Against Cancer.

Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women, accounting for a quarter of all female malignancies in Croatia and nearly a third in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Nationwide, up to eight new cases are diagnosed daily, while in Dubrovnik, a new case emerges almost every third day. Early detection, however, significantly improves the chances of recovery, which is why awareness campaigns and regular check-ups are vital.

Lapad Run is part of these efforts, organised annually by Du Motion in cooperation with the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Public Health Institute.