How to Transform Development Needs into Concrete Projects

At a time when the Croatian economy is facing a new cycle of adjustments, from energy transition to changes in the European regulatory and financial framework, the issue of investments becomes a key question of regional resilience and long-term stability. These topics will be addressed at the ‘Regional Development Forum: Investments in Focus‘, which will bring together representatives of counties, state institutions, financial institutions, and the private sector to find concrete and actionable solutions to accelerate the investment cycle in Croatian regions. It is organized by the Croatian Association of Counties in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the business weekly Lider on Tuesday February 24 at 10 a.m. at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb.

Counties today have a multifaceted role: they are the bearers of strategic infrastructure projects, important users of European funds, partners to investors, and the first responders to citizens’ needs. In this context, investments are no longer just a tool for economic growth but also a mechanism for strengthening security, demographic sustainability, and quality of life. The forum will open a discussion on how to transform development needs into concrete projects that leave a visible mark in space and the economy.

Affordable Housing

The event will be opened with speeches by the president of the Croatian Association of Counties and the Brod-Posavina County Prefect Danijel Marušić and the director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Norbert Eschborn. The introductory presentation by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Property will address investments as the foundation of regional resilience and growth, providing a broader national and European context for current development priorities. The focus will be on strategic planning, timely project preparation, and effective use of available funding sources in the new European and national development framework. Special emphasis will be placed on linking development strategies with concrete investment projects that bring long-term benefits to local communities.

One of the central themes of the Forum will be affordable housing, an issue that transcends the social aspect and becomes a development priority. In the discussion on financing models, public-private partnerships, and linking housing policy with regional development, participants will analyze how housing projects can contribute to economic activity and demographic stability in counties. The experiences of counties and representatives of European institutions will provide insight into concrete possibilities for implementing such initiatives.

The second part of the program will provide an overview of current and future opportunities within the framework of European Union funds. Success in utilizing European funds increasingly depends on the quality of preparation and strategic approach, as well as the combination of non-repayable funds and financial instruments. The forum will offer practical guidelines on how counties can best prepare for the next investment cycle, along with a clear analysis of current priorities and challenges in project implementation.

Open Dialogue

The concluding round table will be dedicated to strategic infrastructure investments of counties and issues related to how to accelerate their realization. Administrative procedures, financial models, and operational challenges often slow down projects that are crucial for service availability and economic development. Participants will discuss opportunities for more efficient planning, speeding up the permitting process, optimizing public procurement, and better utilizing available funding sources.

The Regional Development Forum provides a platform for open dialogue, experience exchange, and concrete recommendations for action. In a time when the pace of change is accelerating and the number of requests for sustainable and resilient development is increasing, such a meeting of experts and decision-makers is an important step towards stronger and more competitive Croatian regions.