The Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds hosted the annual meeting of the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme on 27 May 2026. The meeting was attended by a Swiss delegation led by the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, H.E. Beatrice Schaer, comprising representatives of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The Croatian side was represented by officials of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds acting as the National Coordination Unit – Mr Domagoj Mikulić, State Secretary, Ms Iva Novak, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and Coordination of EU Funds, Ms Natalija Laštro, Head of Sector, and members of the National Coordination Unit.
In his opening remarks, State Secretary Domagoj Mikulić highlighted that the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme represents an important example of constructive bilateral cooperation based on trust, shared priorities, and tangible development results, further supporting national and EU cohesion policy objectives.
He also emphasized the successful completion of the first Swiss Contribution, through which 11 projects were implemented under the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme by 2024, with a total value of CHF 45 million. These projects enhanced public safety through demining activities, improved business conditions and research and science capacities, and strengthened water supply infrastructure in the Gorski Kotar region.
Participants reviewed the current status of implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution in the Republic of Croatia, with a total value of CHF 45.7 million, which funds four programmes:
- Research Programme
- Water Supply and Wastewater Management Programme
- Palliative Care Programme
- Civil Society Programme
It was noted that implementation is progressing steadily, with continuous cooperation between Croatian and Swiss partners. Special emphasis was placed on accelerating infrastructure investments in water supply and wastewater management, as well as activities in the field of palliative care.
Within the Research Programme, results of the MAPS and EUROSTARS programmes were presented. Croatian research organisations are participating in 11 approved MAPS projects, while several projects involving Croatian small and medium-sized enterprises were contracted under the EUROSTARS programme in 2025.
Within the Civil Society Programme, four project calls were launched in 2025, covering areas such as sustainable development, volunteering, and community development.
As part of the annual meeting, field visits to programme-funded projects were also organised. On 26 May, a field visit to Gorski Kotar was conducted under the Water Supply and Wastewater Management Programme, including sites of future investments and meetings with representatives of Hrvatske vode, KD Vodovod i kanalizacija Rijeka, and other stakeholders. On 28 May, the delegation visited the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, under the MAPS Research Programme, as well as the Croatian Scout Association under the Civil Society Programme, where ongoing activities and planned project outcomes were presented.
The meeting concluded by reaffirming the importance of continuing the strong partnership between Croatia and Switzerland and their shared commitment to fostering economic and social progress and strengthening institutional cooperation through the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme.
