Open Day Held at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds

More than 200 successfully completed projects from across Croatia were presented as part of this year’s EU Projects Open Days, an information and educational campaign organised by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds since 2017.

The aim of this national campaign, through which more than 1,300 projects have been showcased to date, is to familiarise the wider public with projects that improve quality of life and contribute to the development of local communities, as well as with the people behind them whose achievements can inspire future successful initiatives. As part of the EU Projects Open Days, the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds also opened its doors to students and young people. Through a dedicated exhibition, information stands, a knowledge quiz and practical presentations, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Ministry, its individual directorates and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency, as well as the results of investments contributing to Croatia’s economic and social development.

Among the programmes presented was the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. At the information stand, visitors could learn more about funding opportunities for projects in the fields of green transition, local development, innovation and justice. In the new programming period, Croatia has been allocated EUR 111 million for the implementation of four programmes aimed at accelerating the green transition towards a more sustainable society, improving access to STEM education in less developed areas, strengthening economic competitiveness through green and blue innovation, and developing an independent, efficient and accountable justice system. The programmes will be implemented in cooperation with the donor countries – Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – with the objective of reducing economic and social disparities and strengthening bilateral relations.

The results of the previous programming period were also presented, during which numerous projects worth more than EUR 103 million were implemented in Croatia through the EEA and Norway Grants. These include the establishment of four Regional Science Centres, investments in geothermal energy, projects focused on energy efficiency and climate change adaptation, as well as improvements to judicial infrastructure and the justice system.

The Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, Nataša Mikuš Žigman, emphasised that events such as these provide an opportunity to shift the focus away from the number of projects and the absorption of funds towards the tangible impact these investments have on people’s lives through projects that have changed the way we live, work and learn. She also noted that, thanks in part to successful investments financed through EU funds, Croatia is experiencing above-average economic growth, steadily converging with the most developed EU Member States, while enjoying a historically high credit rating, record employment levels and unemployment rates close to their natural level.