Croatia is uniquely positioned to be a key player in supporting countries on their way to membership in the European Union (EU). As one of the newest members of the EU, Croatia has rich experience and knowledge in navigating the complex accession process. This institutional knowledge of the public, but especially the private sector, represents an opportunity for Croatia to use its recent history and established networks within the EU in order to help countries that aspire to or have begun the process of integration into the EU.
Croatia's potential and experience in helping candidate countries for EU membership is based on a complex, demanding and ultimately successful transition to full EU membership. Croatia's path was filled with challenges, including post-war reconstruction, the need to harmonize national laws and regulations with EU standards, reform institutional frameworks, and adapt to the economic demands of a much larger and more integrated market. By overcoming these obstacles, Croatia deepened its understanding of the accession process and the multiple requirements necessary to meet EU standards. This experience has equipped Croatian institutions and experts in the private sector with insights and strategies that are now being shared with other countries aspiring to EU membership.
Support for the preparation of countries for EU membership
Perhaps the best example in providing assistance comes from Best Advisory, which through reform experience in 21 countries has gained significant experience, competencies and reputation in the EU and the world. Leading projects aimed specifically at strengthening the capacity of candidate countries through strategic guidance, focus on regulatory reforms, adaptation of regulations and development of human capital, Best Advisory successfully achieves its goals of supporting countries on the way to EU membership, while at the same time helping small and medium-sized enterprises through interstate cooperation in building more resilient and competitive future.
The recent project "EU Regulations Exchange Croatia – Ukraine: Consultancy Capacity Building," carried out by Best Advisory in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is an example of the role of Croatia and the Croatian economy in this context. This initiative is designed to equip Ukrainian consultants from various sectors with the necessary skills and knowledge to align with EU standards, thereby strengthening Ukraine's ability to successfully navigate the EU accession process. In other words, with the financial support of the EU and the German government, this program represents an important step towards the economic reconstruction and international integration of Ukraine.
Objectives of the implemented project
The primary goals of this project were multiple and strategically aligned with Croatia's experience and the specific needs of the candidate country for EU entry - Ukraine. The most important goal was to facilitate the transfer of Croatian knowledge and expertise in EU accession to Ukrainian consultants from the private and public sectors. By sharing practical advice, lessons learned and best practices, we aimed to empower Ukrainian colleagues to effectively and informedly advise their local businesses through the complex processes of EU integration.
Another important goal was to improve their consulting skills. Through different segments, the project aims to strengthen the abilities of these experts in advising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in harmonizing their operations with EU standards. This improvement is crucial given that the ability of local consultants will directly affect the broader readiness of the Ukrainian economy for integration into the EU market.
The project also aimed to promote the implementation of EU-compatible regulatory frameworks in Ukraine. Harmonization of local laws and regulations with those of the EU is the basis of the accession process, and Croatia's experience in this area is particularly valuable. We at Best Advisory have regulatory experts who can share lessons learned in creating and implementing the necessary reforms to ensure that a country's regulatory environment meets EU standards. Finally, by increasing the capacity of consultants from the private and public sectors, the project has an effect on wider institutional frameworks and lays the foundations for long-term development that is aligned with the goals of EU accession.
Project implementation, methodology, and areas of activity
The implementation of the project was designed to transfer the Croatian experience to the Ukrainian context in the best possible way. The first step was the selection of key stakeholders for the content of the program, which included European and Croatian institutions (and their experts at the time of Croatia's accession to the EU), consultants, and industry leaders. This inclusive approach ensured that all project activities were aligned with the needs and priorities of Ukrainian consultants, thereby increasing the relevance and effectiveness of capacity-building activities. Also, Best Advisory's project team is strategically assembled to ensure the highest level of expertise and in guiding Ukrainian colleagues through the EU accession process. At the beginning of the project, the team defined strict criteria for selecting Ukrainian consultants who would benefit the most from the program, as well as contribute to it. These criteria were focused on the consultants' experience in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in areas related to access to the EU market and harmonization with EU standards. The selection process was highly competitive, including individual interviews that assessed candidates' professional experience, their understanding of the EU process and their motivation to use the program for the benefit of their organizations and (potentially) the wider Ukrainian economy.
The project was implemented through a series of carefully planned activities. The educational component of the project was realized through three online trainings, each of which covered key aspects of Croatia's accession to the EU. These sessions were designed not only to impart knowledge, but also to develop practical, concrete skills that participants can immediately apply in their professional context. Best Advisory also prepared a detailed analytical document entitled "Adapting Success - A Blueprint for Ukraine SME Sector," which served as a basic resource. This document contains a comprehensive analysis of the development of the SME sector in Croatia, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities brought by EU integration. The training conducted with Ukrainian consultants covered a wide range of topics, including Croatia's experience in regulatory alignment, strategies for competitiveness, and digital transformation, thus ensuring a good preparation for the participants for the next steps within the program.
A key component of the project was a one-week study visit to Zagreb, which provided the Ukrainian consultants with a unique opportunity to talk and collaborate with Croatian colleagues in the private and public sectors who successfully navigated the EU accession process. Best Advisory's carefully crafted agenda included visits to key organizations such as the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Economy, Rimac Technology, Representation of the European Commission, HUP, Avelant, CRANE, Zagreb Innovation Center and HAMAG-BICRO. Prepared presentations and interactive panels provided Ukrainian colleagues with an insight into Croatia's strategies for EU integration and support systems for small and medium-sized enterprises. This direct interaction enabled a deeper understanding of practical solutions related to integration into the EU before accession, but also of the challenges that the entrepreneurial sector faces even today. Also, the participants were introduced to the key pillars of today's EU policy (emphasis on green and digital) and the role that common policies have on EU members. The study visit was carefully planned to ensure that the Ukrainian consultants could see the extensive Croatian experience from multiple perspectives.
After the study visit, the focus shifted to translating the acquired knowledge and experience into practical strategies for Ukrainian small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. Ukrainian consultants are guided through the development of new services adapted to the specific needs of their local context. To ensure that these new services are practical and efficient, Best Advisory also organized a structured session, where our experts, after a detailed evaluation, provided advice and suggestions for improvements in the development of new services. This feedback was designed to help consultants refine their proposals, addressing potential challenges and increasing the feasibility and effectiveness of their initiatives. Importantly, feedback was an integral part of the project's methodology, ensuring that consultants can continuously improve and adapt their strategies to better support the SMEs they advise. In other words, the project placed a strong emphasis on capacity building through practical support and mentoring. Croatian experts worked closely with Ukrainian consultants, providing guidance and feedback on specific challenges they faced in their work. This approach has visibly improved the skills of Ukrainian consultants, and contributed to the creation of a group of professionals who are now better equipped to promote the EU agenda within their country.
Results of the implemented project and sustainability
The results of the project are significant and far-reaching. One of the most significant achievements is the improvement of consulting skills among consultants in Ukraine. Online training, study visits, feedback sessions, and mentoring provided through the project ensured a deeper understanding of EU standards and the specific requirements of the accession process. As a result, Ukrainian consultants are now better informed about what they need to do (and where to start) to support their clients in facing the complex processes of EU integration, thus contributing to a more dynamic and successful consultancy ts sector in Ukraine. The development of this market is crucial in order to spread the benefits of EU accession evenly across the Ukrainian economy, contributing to overall growth and stability.
The sustainability of the project's impact is a key item, and several important elements have been achieved to ensure that the project's benefits are long-term. One of the most important aspects of sustainability is the knowledge transfer that took place through training and capacity building within the project. The skills acquired by the Ukrainian consultants will continue to be applied in their work, ensuring that the benefits of the project go beyond the initial implementation period.
Strengthening institutional frameworks in Ukraine through human capital development also contributes to sustainability. The importance of regulatory reforms and capacity building in this direction in this project laid the foundations for the creation of resilient structures that will support ongoing development and compliance with EU standards.
Another key aspect of sustainability is continued cooperation between Croatian and Ukrainian stakeholders. The partnerships established through this project not only provide a basis for further cooperation and knowledge exchange, but also bring significant strategic benefits for Croatia. By maintaining an active role in Ukraine's EU accession process, Croatia strengthens its position as a regional leader and reliable partner within the EU. This cooperation fosters deeper economic and political ties, opening up new opportunities for trade, investment and diplomatic influence. Furthermore, it enables Croatian institutions and experts to continuously improve their expertise in EU integration processes, which can be used to support other candidate countries, strengthening Croatia's reputation as a key player in EU enlargement. This dynamic relationship ensures that both Croatia and Ukraine remain agile in facing new challenges and opportunities, ultimately strengthening Croatia's role in shaping the future of a more integrated and prosperous Europe.
A look into the future
The project "EU Regulations Exchange Croatia – Ukraine: Consultancy Capacity Building" carried out by Best Advisory showed once again the key role that Croatia can play in supporting countries on their way to a better, more competitive and transparent future. By sharing its hard-earned experience, strengthening the capacities of local professionals and encouraging the sustainable development of the consultant market, Croatia significantly contributes to the broader goal of a more integrated and prosperous Europe. This project not only helped Ukraine advance in the EU accession process, but also positioned Croatia as a leader in providing support to other countries in the Eastern Europe region that aspire to EU membership.
The foundations laid by this project have a long-term and potentially far-reaching impact. The success of this project is not the end goal, but the potential beginning of a new chapter in which Croatia takes the lead in supporting the next generation of EU members. Namely, with the support of visionary partners from the entrepreneurship sector, Croatia is uniquely positioned to expand its influence through the adoption of innovative approaches to regulatory reforms. Given the enormous experience in regulatory reform, with experts who have advised governments in dozens of governments around the world, and drawing inspiration from the concept of regulatory sandboxes for AI, Croatia is on the verge of becoming a pioneer in regulatory innovation in this area. By creating an environment in which regulations and state-of-the-art technologies can be tested and improved, Croatia can offer a dynamic model of regulatory evolution to both candidate countries and the European Union. Of course, this depends on key stakeholders at national and European level and their openness to developing such plans.
This pioneering role would not only increase Croatia's ability to assist candidate countries in their efforts to join the EU, but would also strengthen its position as a leader in shaping future EU regulatory frameworks. Best Advisory, with its team of experienced experts and consultants, who in the field of regulatory reform cooperate with governments and organizations throughout Europe and beyond, can offer leadership in the creation of regulatory innovations. Commitment to excellence and a visionary approach make us an ideal partner for countries that want to harmonize their standards with international standards and embrace modern methods of regulatory management.
As we look to the future, Croatia, with the strategic leadership of Best Advisory, does not have to be an observer in the creation of EU policies (a role it so diligently nurtures), but a driving force. Together with partners, we can be key stakeholders to define the next wave of EU enlargement, ensuring that new members are not only ready for integration, but also equipped to thrive in the rapidly changing European market.
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