SkillUp is a practical business-growth program implemented by the Croatian Ministry of Economy and IFC and financed by the European Union through NextGenerationEU. It is designed for CEOs of qualifying Croatian small and medium-sized enterprises, with managing directors eligible in some cases.
The flagship format combines mostly online expert sessions, sector masterclasses, case studies and individual consultations with an in-person retreat. Cohort 7 starts on September 21, 2026, and features Manufacturing and IT tracks.
Benefits & funding
- Participation is free and 100% financed by the European Union.
- The five-week bootcamp includes online sessions, sector-specific content, practical case studies, individual consultations and an in-person retreat.
- The participating company receives de minimis support valued at up to EUR 25,000 for the five-week bootcamp.
- Participants who attend at least 75% of events and complete the mandatory retreat receive a certificate.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be CEOs of Croatian SMEs; managing directors may also qualify in some cases.
- The company must have 10 to 250 staff members and more than three years of operations.
- The company must have annual turnover of at least EUR 500,000.
- Annual turnover must be below EUR 50 million, or the annual balance-sheet total must be below EUR 10 million.
- Applicants should use the latest available financial figures; ownership links with other enterprises can affect the SME calculation.
- Successful completion requires attendance at at least 75% of events, including the mandatory offsite retreat.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Create an account on the official SkillUp application page using an email address and personal details.
- 2Sign in and submit the SkillUp application before the registration deadline.
- 3Use the latest available company financial figures when completing the eligibility information.
Program timeline
Applications close.
September 9, 2026
Cohort 7 starts.
September 21, 2026
Offsite retreat in Opatija.
September 30–October 2, 2026
Five weeks from the start date
Hybrid bootcamp delivery period.