very good results in withdrawing money from eu funds

In terms of contracts, Croatia holds 3rd place, and in terms of disbursed funds, we are 13th ranked in the EU

Šime erlić Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds

We3 are still using the funds from the previous program period of 2014-2020, since the certification process follows the so-called N+3 dynamics defined by the European Commission, which means that these funds are used for another 3 years after the end of the financial perspective, says Šime Erlić, Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds, for Diplomacy&Commerce. He also explains that, in terms of encouraging investment, the funds for the new program period of 2021 - 2027 are mainly directed towards the green and digital transition, but also to numerous other areas.

As the youngest EU member, Croatia relies signifi cantly on

EU funds. How successful was Croatia in implementing the program and how much of the planned funds did we use?

Objective indicators speak best about success. The European Commission Cohesion Data platform croatia has a total oF 25 billion euro at disposal From various eu Funds by the end oF this decade. provides an overview of various data related to the use of EU funds at the level of the European Union. There are two key indicators by which we compare ourselves with other member states - the first is the contractual nature of funds, and the second is the level of disbursed funds.

In terms of contracts, Croatia holds 3rd place, and in terms of disbursed funds, we are 13th ranked, so we are somewhere in the middle. It is evident that we are accelerating the absorption year after year, considering that in 2020 we were in 21st place.

These are very good results, not only because they speak about how the funds are being used successfully, but they also show that the system we established for the use and control of EU funds is functional and effective.

We are still using the funds from the previous program period of

2014-2020, since the certification process follows the so-called N+3 dynamics defined by the European Commission, which means that these funds are used for another 3 years after the end of the financial perspective.

The system is currently slightly above 80% of disbursed funds in relation to the allocated funds. Our transitory time is good and we expect a very intense period until the end of this year. The projects need to be completed, and in this sense I expect the maximum engagement of all users, that is, finally, the absorption of 100% of the funds.

The “New Opportunities” project has been expanded to several cities in Croatia. Which new opportunities would you single out? How are we progressing in the use of EU funds from this budget period?