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 Croatian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. At the information stand, visitors could learn more about funding opportunities for projects in the fields of research and innovation, water and wastewater infrastructure, healthcare and social welfare, as well as civic engagement and transparency. Under the Second Swiss Contribution, Croatia has been allocated CHF 45.7 million until 2029 for the implementation of four programmes in the areas of research and innovation, water supply and wastewater management, healthcare, and civil society. The funds are aimed at strengthening international scientific cooperation and the innovation potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, developing sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure in the Gorski Kotar region, improving the quality of palliative care, and fostering the development of civil society through volunteering, service learning and active citizen participation in community life.
The results of the First Swiss Contribution were also presented, under which 11 projects with a total value of CHF 45 million were successfully implemented in Croatia.
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.