Croatia Met Conditions for 6.8 Billion Euros from the New Financial Envelope

Croatia has met the conditions for the use of 6.8 billion euros from the new financial envelope, the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds highlighted on Saturday, which sent the final versions of agreements, operational programs, and the integrated territorial program to the Commission on Friday.

The programming process for EU financial envelopes is lengthy, but for the Competitiveness and Cohesion programs and the Integrated Territorial Program, this process was completed on July 8, 2022. when the Operational Programs for Competitiveness and Cohesion and the Integrated Territorial Program were sent to the European Commission, thus creating conditions for the imminent use of funds from the new financial envelope, starting as early as September, the Ministry announced.

The programming of the mentioned operational programs began in January 2021 and was coordinated by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.

The first drafts, as well as the Partnership Agreement, were submitted to the European Commission (EC) on June 30, 2021. In order to further improve, the program documents were continuously revised during the second half of 2021 and the first half of this year, and after public consultations and last week’s meeting of Minister Nataša Tramišak with Commissioner Elisa Ferreira, the final drafts of the documents were submitted to the Commission, which represent the basis for the majority of the financial envelope available to us until 2027.

The Ministry added in the announcement that it submitted the final version of the Partnership Agreement to the EC on June 30 of this year, and yesterday the latest versions of the Operational Programs for Competitiveness and Cohesion and the Integrated Territorial Program.

One Place to Track the Entire Process

– I am aware that these are bureaucratic procedures that are both lengthy and difficult to understand. Fund users, especially citizens, are eagerly awaiting the moment when these procedures will become accessible and tangible to them, whether it is a call for grants for entrepreneurs, a kindergarten, energy renovation of a building, better healthcare infrastructure, or restored cultural assets – said Minister Nataša Tramišak and thanked everyone who participated in this process, congratulating them on their joint success.

She reminded that more than 800 stakeholders, consisting of representatives from national, regional, and local levels, as well as representatives of economic and social partners, civil society, and the academic and scientific community, were involved in this process.

– In this new perspective, the European Commission will create a central place where the public and potential users can track exactly what has been planned, how much has been built, and what the spatial, economic, and social impacts of the European billions are, which sometimes seem abstract to them – the minister stated.

The Competitiveness and Cohesion Program 2021 – 2027 is worth 5.031 billion euros and represents continuity in relation to the current financial period, integrating previous experiences and knowledge within the Operational Program for Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 – 2020, with the territorial segment of the new draft program being strengthened. For example, through 1.157 billion euros available to entrepreneurs in the coming years, support in the areas of research and development, strengthening competitiveness, digitalization, and employee skills development will be received by as many as 15,000 companies.

The energy efficiency of more than 1,700 residential buildings will be improved, fire protection measures will cover more than 750,000 hectares, over 980 kilometers of sewage systems will be constructed, and thanks to infrastructure and education, a reduction in the amount of waste disposed of by 40 percent is expected by 2029.

The purchase of 40 railway vehicles for public transport is planned, improvements to roads and railways, and significant investments relate to educational infrastructure, which includes over 150 modernized kindergartens and more than 1,660 new beds in student dormitories.

The Integrated Territorial Program Expands Coverage for Balanced Development of Croatia

The Integrated Territorial Program 2021 – 2027 is worth 1.514 billion euros and represents a novelty and a step forward as it expands the targeted action of EU funds to less developed areas, areas with developmental challenges such as islands, and expands urban areas to enable balanced development of Croatia.

Through the Integrated Territorial Program, Croatia expects at least 164 km of infrastructure intended for cycling, 6.5 hectares of renovated brownfield land in cities, and 55,000 m2 of renovated space, while more than 60,000 m2 of public buildings on islands will receive improved energy properties.

The program also plans investments in Industrial Transition Plans, ITU, and assisted areas amounting to 536 million euros. From this, through available funds, more than 1,360 companies will receive support in the areas of research and development, strengthening competitiveness, and skills development in priority niches.

Of course, there are also significant investments in natural and cultural heritage, as well as those in the energy and industrial transition of companies, the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds emphasizes, stating that Croatia will also have technical assistance available amounting to 293 million euros.