Europeanization and nascent multi‐level governance in Croatia

This contribution considers whether the EU's pre‐accession instruments of cohesion policy are contributing to the development of a more compound polity in Croatia and, specifically, considers the extent to which there is a process of Europeanization characterized by emergent features of multi‐level governance. It argues that while some features of multi‐level governance are emerging in Croatia, the emphasis of EU programmes is at this stage on national implementation and central government has to date proved adept at shaping and steering the partnerships and networks induced at national level. Sub‐nationally, there is greater activity independent of central government, and some evidence of a deeper learning taking place, with EU‐inspired activities and practices being transferred to other spheres.