Through 11 projects, they contributed to sustainable, economically and socially balanced development.
The Fair of Implemented Projects and the presentation of the results of the project for the improvement of water supply and drainage in the area of Gorski Kotar marked the end of the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme and announced the beginning of the second Swiss contribution in the field of cohesion for Croatia.
On this occasion, representatives of the Swiss Confederation, the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Croatian Waters and local self-government visited the water supply and drainage system of the city of Delnice and the municipalities of Fužine and Brod Moravice, which were upgraded with funds from the first Swiss-Croatian cooperation Programme.
“The Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme in the first Swiss Contribution is designed with two primary goals: reducing economic and social inequalities within the European Union and strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Swiss Confederation. I am proud that we have successfully used 42.7 million Swiss francs in grants from the first Contribution and have contributed to the sustainable economic and social development of the areas in which they were implemented through 11 projects. As we conclude this first phase of cooperation with Swiss partners, we have already launched Research and Civil Society programmes under the second Swiss Contribution worth 45.7 million Swiss francs, and we will soon launch new water management programmes as well as palliative care. They demonstrate Switzerland’s permanent commitment to supporting the development of the Republic of Croatia and our bilateral cooperation, and we will base our efforts in upcoming projects on the lessons learned and partnerships from previous cooperation”, said State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds Kristina Bilić, thanking all programme partners for their contribution to this success story.
“The Swiss Confederation recognized Gorski Kotar, an area that is similar to Switzerland, and did not have the water and communal standard that the Swiss Confederation has, and decided to help. By doing so, it has ensured a better life for the inhabitants of this region”, said the General Director of Croatian Waters, Zoran Đuroković, adding that thanks to the good effects in the first Swiss contribution, 23 million Swiss francs per second Swiss Contribution were provided in the area of Gorski Kotar.
The second Swiss Contribution represents a continuation of the successful implementation of projects within the first Swiss-Croatian cooperation programme, where numerous positive results are already visible. The Act on the Confirmation of the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Swiss Federal Council on the Implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution to Selected Member States of the European Union for the Reduction of Economic and Social Inequalities within the European Union entered into force on 17 May 2023. This fulfilled the preconditions for the use of CHF 45.7 million under the second Swiss Contribution. The project implementation period ends in 2029.
“The successful implementation of these projects has a significant impact on society by improving key infrastructures, encouraging innovation and raising the quality of life of residents. Looking to the future, by 2029, the goal is to further improve the quality of life and support sustainable economic development by providing high-quality drinking water in Gorski Kotar. Investments in wastewater infrastructure will play an important role in the conservation of groundwater, surface water and environmental protection in the region”, said the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Croatia, Urs Hammer.
“I am happy that we are successfully completing our joint venture and I believe that we will all be satisfied with the results because the citizens are already feeling it,” said the Mayor of Delnice, Katarina Mihelčić, during the presentation of the projects.
