摘要：The paper deals with the problem of developmentally vulnerable communities in Croatia from two points: first starting at current theoretical studies of community development, and the other at Croatian political and legal solutions. Community development is understood as a process and an outcome that is reflected in the different fields of community life, and that should be sustainable in terms of social, economic and environmental components. Former Croatian regional policy was insufficient in relation to the theoretical framework. Significant changes are announced by the new regional policy developed under the influence of the European Union. Conceptually, this policy brings following changes: comprehensive approach to the dimensions of development, more access to process aspects, system integration into the wider social framework, established broad social infrastructure for local issues and strategic planning approach. However, it is possible to improve the content in order to complete sustainable community development: adjustment to specific development contexts for each community, taking more integrated approach to development, alongside the dominant economic, active citizens involvement, integrating the concept of sustainable development and the establishment of lasting social infrastructure for continuous monitoring and evaluation in developmentally vulnerable communities in Croatia.
