In the period from 27 to 31 October 2024, representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, together with representatives of Croatian Waters, the Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute, Komunalac Delnice, the Rijeka Water and Wastewater Utility Company and the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation, participated in a study visit to the Swiss Confederation.
The study visit was organized by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), as part of the second Swiss contribution for the period 2019-2029 within the Water and Wastewater Program in the area of Gorski Kotar for the purpose of researching the entire water and wastewater management system in Switzerland. The aim of the study visit was to exchange experiences of Croatian and Swiss experts, to apply the best solutions and practices for the use of renewable energy sources in the Republic of Croatia and to develop future cooperation in order to develop a more detailed and constructive education program that the Water Institute will implement for employees of public water service providers in the Republic of Croatia.
During the four-day visit, the representatives of the Croatian delegation had the opportunity to visit several wastewater treatment plants (Schwyz and Gossau), a water plant for human consumption (Glarus) and get acquainted with the innovative technologies that Switzerland applies in the management system of water for human consumption and wastewater. As part of the visit, a visit to the Swiss Association of Water Protection Professionals (VSA), an umbrella educational institution in the field of water management and water management, as well as the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG) was organized, where experts from EAWAG presented their projects aimed at sustainable wastewater management, including the use of advanced filtration and recycling methods.
The Framework Agreement on the Implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution for the Period 2019-2029 between the Republic of Croatia and the Swiss Confederation was signed on 18 October 2022. The second Swiss contribution, worth CHF 45.7 million, finances four programmes:
– Research programme, with two programme components: Multilateral Joint Research Projects and EUROSTARS (allocation: CHF 8 million)
– Water and wastewater (Gorski kotar) (allocation CHF 23 million)
– Palliative care program (allocation CHF 5.5 million)
– Civil society (CHF 7.6 million).