The European Union’s cohesion policy: EUR 9 billion from 2021 to 2027 to Croatia
Croatia will of EUR 9 billion of cohesion policy funding for the period 2021-2021 under the Partnership Agreement with the Commission EUR 9 billion from 2021 to 2027 to Croatia Croatia will receive a total of EUR 9 billion of cohesion policy funding for the period 2021-2027 to promote the economic, social and territorial cohesion of their regions and the green and digital transitions. This investment will help reduce regional economic disparities and improve skills, training and job opportunities. EU funding will also support the development of a competitive and innovative export-oriented Croatian economy.
Towards a resilient, net-zero carbon economyCroatia will allocate almost 31 % of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 39 % of the Cohesion Fund to climate objectivesIn concrete figures, EUR 2.56 billion will help improve energy efficiency, increase the share of renewables in energy production to 60 % in 2030, strengthen the circular economy, climate resilience and biodiversity. More than EUR 650 million will be invested in achieving the latter objective. Furthermore, EUR 179 million from the Just Transition Fund will mitigate the economic and employment impacts of the green transition. This will be achieved by decarbonising energy-intensive industries, strengthening entrepreneurship and investing in workers’ skills, diversifying the economy in the most affected regions, strengthening cooperation between businesses and the research community, and increasing employment opportunities in the labour market.
Strengthening economic competitiveness and digitalisation.EUR 1.7 billion from the ERDF to increase the competitiveness and internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve employee skills will support Croatia’s innovative and smart economic transformation.
Reducing regional disparitiesInvestments will take place throughout Croatia, including its poorest parts; almost EUR 500 million earmarked for facilitating the industrial transition in Croatia’s regions will contribute to improving international competitiveness. In addition, 12 % of ERDF resources will be dedicated to urban development and around 3 % to the development of smart and sustainable islands. More support is also foreseen for mountain areas. In this way, EU funds will help all parts of Croatia reach the economically and socially developed capital of Zagreb and the most developed regions of the EU.
Improvement of connectivity . Almost EUR 1 billion will be dedicated to improving regional, local and cross-border mobility in all sectors, including the development of a sustainable, smart, safe and intermodal transport network linked to the TEN-T trans-European network, and to enable much-needed improvements in national rail infrastructure and further progress in maritime transport on the coast of Croatia.
Social inclusion, employment, education, trainingAlmost EUR 2.5 billion from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the ERDF will be used to boost quality employment and skills, education, health and social services. Well- designed active support to employment, especially for women, young people and vulnerable groups, will be accompanied by improving the capacity of labour market institutions, such as public employment services, for example through digitalisation. Investments at all levels of education will allow for concrete improvements in the education system, from early childcare to adult education. These investments will also strengthen upskilling and reskilling to better match new labour market needs and develop the basis for individual learning accountsThe risk of poverty and social exclusion is particularly exposed to older people, women and people with disabilities. As a result, the strategic needs mapping will provide significant resources from the ESF+ to invest in the welfare system and the transition from institutional social services to community-based social services, in particular as regards assistance to people with disabilities, long-term care and assistance to the most deprived. The Partnership Agreement will also provide support for the training of medical staff and the strengthening of emergency medical assistance systems and telemedicine services.
Sustainable fishing. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund will invest EUR 244 million in sustainable fisheries and the protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystems in the Adriatic Sea. This fund will also support the development of sustainable and low-carbon aquaculture and processing sectors, the economic and social vitality of fishing communities and the implementation of international ocean governance. All supported measures will help Croatia to contribute to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as the key EU policy priorities outlined in the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy.
Statements by the members of the College
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said: Since Croatia’s accession to the EU, investments in its balanced development under cohesion policy amounted to 4 % of Croatia’s GDP. These investments have increased its competitiveness, helped create new jobs and promote a greener and more digital economy. The new Partnership Agreement for the period 2021-2021 By 2027, this Member State is provided with additional funding to continue its path towards economic, social and territorial cohesion and development.
European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit added: This Partnership Agreement is a key step towards achieving Croatia’s 2030 national social targets, as set out in the Action Plan for the Implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. I underline the strategic focus of ESF+ investments, which foster quality employment, enable workers to acquire the skills they need to navigate today and the future labour market and provide significant funding for investments in social services that are essential for social inclusion, including assistance to people with disabilities, healthcare and long-term care.
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Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said: Europe’s blue economy creates concrete opportunities for coastal communities. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund supports innovative projects that contribute to the sustainability of the exploitation of marine resources, the decarbonisation of our economy and the protection of biodiversity. This Partnership Agreement encourages Croatia’s green and digital transition and helps build low-carbon, sustainable, innovative and resilient fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the Adriatic Sea.”
Context
The Partnership Agreement with Croatia covers cohesion policy resources (ERDF, ESF+, Cohesion Fund and JTF) and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The Partnership Agreement paves the way for the implementation of these investments on the ground. It covers four national programmes: The Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme (ERDF and Cohesion Fund), the Integrated Territorial Programme (ERDF and JTF), the Efficient Human Resources Programme (ESF+) and the EMFAF programme, to be adopted. Within the framework of cohesion policy and in cooperation with the Commission, each Member State shall prepare a Partnership Agreement, a strategic document for the programming of investments from cohesion policy and EMFAF funds during the multiannual financial framework. This agreement, focused on EU priorities, sets out the investment strategy and priorities set by the Member State and sets out a list of national and regional programmes for implementation on the ground, including an indicative annual financial allocation for each programme.
The 19th Partnership Agreement with Croatia was preceded by agreements with Greece, Germany, Austria, Chech Republic, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal, Estonia, Slovakia, Italy and Romania.
More information
Long-term EU budget 2021-2030 2027 and NextGenerationEU
Questions and Answers on the EU legislative package for cohesion policy 2021-2030 2027
Breakdown of Member States’ allocations under cohesion policy