Croatian Employers’ Association (CEA) is a voluntary, non-profitable independent employers’ association, founded in 1993. Being appointed as the only employers’ representative in the National Economic and Social Council, CEA is influencing the creation of Croatian economic policy and is also a respectable social partner in the tripartite dialogue with trade unions and Government representatives. CEA mission is to improve entrepreneurial and investment climate in order to strengthen Croatian economy competitiveness. CEA has 25 industrial associations, with 5,000 members employing 400,000 workers. CEA activities are focused on lobbying with national and local government institutions and EU institutions for employers’ interests in passing and/or amending legislation and regulations in force, support in applying for finance in EU pre-accession and other funds; legal services and advice; collective bargaining and interpretation of collective agreements; representation in labor disputes; protection in case of industrial actions and mediation in disputes with State institutions and services. CEA has been a member of other international consortia of various EU funded projects - TEMPUS, CARDS 2002, CARDS 2003, CARDS 2004, INTERREG, PHARE, FP6, FP7.

The National Center for Clusters (NCC) was founded in 2006 as one of CEA’s four strategic projects, aiming at development of clusters and growth of competitiveness of Croatian industry. Until today 5 clusters have been established: Automotive, Shipbuilding, Garment, Agricultural Equipment, Interiors, with approx. 140 companies. Strategic partners are the Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship with whom CEE Cluster Agreement was signed in Brussels 2007, and regional governments. CEA - National Center for Clusters has been a member of the FP6 - PRO INNO EUROPE/Inno-Nets: CEE Cluster Network from 2006 – 2009 and the European Cluster Alliance (ECA).