In a single act, the Zagreb mayor funded a range of projects, with most funds going to organizations linked to the ruling platform. Meanwhile, ahead of Victory Day, a political dispute with HDZ over flags on Ban Jelačić Square has flared up.
On July 2, 2026, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević issued a decision to allocate funds from the city budget to organizations working in the field of human rights promotion for this year. A total of €150,000 was distributed, and according to an analysis by Narod.hr, the largest share went to organizations connected to or aligned with the Možemo political platform.
In the gender equality category, all €16,400 was awarded to organizations with ties to Možemo. The LGBT organization Domino, linked to Gordana Bosanac, received €5,700 for the 4th European Feminist Conference. The Center for Education, Counseling, and Research (CESI) received €5,400 for the project "Women's Health and Well-being in the Workplace," while Baza for Workers' Initiative and Democratization (BRID), from which Možemo MP Jelena Miloš hails, received €5,300 for the "Women's Trade Union School 2026."
For projects protecting the rights of LGBTIQ individuals, €28,800 was allocated. The organizations Dugine obitelji and Zagreb Pride each received €6,100 for projects focused on the family life of LGBTIQ individuals and the 25th Pride Parade. The organization Flamingo received €5,700 for the project "Queer Culture for LGBTIQ Visibility," and K-Zona, which is associated with Noah Kraljević, a figure from the Zambia affair, received €5,500 for "Culture of Consent: Safety and Sexual Autonomy." The organization KolekTIRV was granted €5,400 for the workshop "Deconstructing Identity Through Visual Art."
For combating racial and other discrimination and hate crimes, €11,600 was set aside. Two organizations received funds: the Forum for Freedom of Education, linked to Možemo, and the Music and Stage Ensemble Medley Teatar, for the projects "Color the World!, with the Colors of Equality" and "The Beauty of Our Diversity, a Children's Theater Play."
For the integration of foreigners, including illegal migrants ("people on the move") and foreign workers, Tomašević allocated €40,600. Among the organizations that received funds are those with established ties to Možemo, such as Bez granica, Živi Atelje DK, and the Center for Theater of the Oppressed POKAZ. Projects in the area of national minority rights were funded with €11,800, with funds going to Kultura nova, also close to Možemo, and the Rehabilitation Center for Stress and Trauma Zagreb.
In the participatory democracy category, with a total of €40,800, two organizations close to Možemo stand out. Documenta, whose founder is feminist Vesna Teršelič, received €5,700 for the project "History in Zagreb's Public Space: From Personal Memories to Public Policies." Radio Student received €5,400 for "Expanding the Field of Struggle."
Amid discussions about funding for organizations, Zagreb's HDZ and Možemo have entered a sharp verbal clash ahead of the Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day celebrations. HDZ claimed that there are no Croatian flags on Ban Jelačić Square, a claim Možemo dismissed as "yet another lie."
"If they had any knowledge of Ban Jelačić Square, they would know that on the northern flagpoles, east of the statue of Ban Jelačić, a large flag of the Republic of Croatia is always and continuously displayed," Možemo said on Tuesday, adding that additional flags will be put up ahead of the holiday. They stated that "there is no room for such cheap political tricks and spreading lies ahead of Victory Day and Homeland Thanksgiving Day."
Možemo also noted that Tomašević laid wreaths at Mirogoj on Tuesday morning in honor of Croatian veterans and that he will attend the central celebration of the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm in Knin on Wednesday.
The Homeland War is the foundation of our statehood, Operation Storm is the crown of all our battles, and the Croatian flag atop Knin Fortress is the symbol of our victory! Storm was not just a military victory, but also a triumph of will, patriotism, and unwavering determination to win freedom, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved in his congratulatory message for Victory Day and Homeland Thanksgiving Day.
