The project Competitiveness and Cohesion worth 5.2 billion euros approved for Croatia

Croatia has been approved for the Competitiveness and Cohesion program, the most financially generous program within the cohesion policy for the financial period 2021 – 2027, worth 5.2 billion euros, with the responsible minister Nataša Tramišak highlighting the developmental opportunity that these funds bring.

In August, the Partnership Agreement between the European Commission and the Republic of Croatia was adopted, and at the end of September, it was signed in Zagreb by the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira and the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Tramišak, after which two programs were sent for approval – Competitiveness and Cohesion and the Integrated Territorial Program, as reminded on Thursday by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.

Namely, the Partnership Agreement opens the way for Croatia to withdraw a total of nine billion euros in cohesion policy funds for the period from 2021 to 2027.

The withdrawal of cohesion funds is based on four programs, two of which are managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds – the Competitiveness and Cohesion program (PKK), worth 5.2 billion euros, and the Integrated Territorial Program (ITP), valued at 1.57 billion euros.

– The amount of 5.2 billion euros that we have fought for will enable the raising of living standards and open a range of development opportunities, and for the first time, we have special tools for the underdeveloped parts of Croatia and the mountainous areas of our homeland. With the new cohesion policy funds, we will ensure growth and development in all regions of Croatia.

Digitalization, greening, and investments in transport connectivity are what will make Croatian citizens and the Croatian economy stronger and more resilient to the challenges and changes of the turbulent era we live in – said Tramišak in a statement conveyed in the press release.

She also emphasized the need for balanced development across all parts of Croatia.

– We will strengthen what directly improves the lives of our fellow citizens – public services, healthcare, education, culture, social content, and, most importantly, do this evenly across all parts of Croatia – said Tramišak, congratulating all her colleagues on the excellent work done.

The ministry reported that all relevant Croatian stakeholders and representatives from all parts of Croatian society were involved in the program development process. Working groups were established according to the objectives of the European Union policy, respecting the principle of partnership, which is based on a multi-level governance approach, and includes representatives from national, regional, and local levels as well as representatives of economic and social partners, civil society, and the academic and scientific community, who participated through four held sessions and a series of working group meetings, they added.