European funds

European funds are financial instruments aimed at the implementation of an EU public policy in member states. EU funds represent the EU citizens’ money which is, in accordance with certain rules and procedures, allocated to various beneficiaries for implementing different projects with the aim of contributing to the EU key public policies, which are established for a seven-year period, also known as a financial perspective. We are currently in the 2014-2020 financial perspective, which was preceded by the 2007-2013 financial perspective.

 

Cohesion policy

Cohesion policy is one of the most important EU public policies, for which € 376 billion has been allocated in the 2014-2020 financial period. Cohesion policy of the EU is financed by three main funds, with two additional funds also at disposal in this financial perspective. European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund are also known under the common name of structural funds, while all five of the funds share the name of European structural and investment (ESI) funds. Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds is the central coordinating body for the management of ESI Funds.

 

Cohesion fund

Purpose: for member states with gross national income per capita below 90% of the EU average and used for financing projects in the areas of transport and environment.

The Fund can be used for financing activities related to:

  • Trans-European transport network and pan-European corridors;
  • transport infrastructure that contributes the environmentally sustainable urban and public transport, interoperability of transport networks all over the EU
  • environmental infrastructure with the aim of implementing EU standards in environment protection
  • efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources

Beneficiaries: mostly public authorities, but also business sector (by participating in public procurement procedures for delivery of goods, services and performing works, e.g. studies, construction works etc.)

European regional development fund

Purpose: investing in production with the aim of creating jobs, infrastructural investments and local development as well as development of SMEs.

The Fund can be used for financing activities related to:

  • productive investments contributing to creating and preserving sustainable jobs through direct payments for investing in SMEs
  • investing in infrastructure in connection to basic citizen services in the areas of energy, environment, transport and information and communication technologies
  • investing in social, health and educational infrastructure
  • development of internal potential by supporting local and regional development and research, as well as innovation in public transport, interoperability of transport networks throughout the EU;

Beneficiaries: research centres, local and regional government, schools, corporations, training centres, state administration, SMEs, universities, associations. Public bodies, certain private sector organisations (especially small enterprises), non-governmental organisations, volunteer organisations will also be eligible for funding. Foreign companies based in the region which is covered by the operational programme can also apply, given they abide by the European public procurement regulations.

European social fund

Purpose: boosting entrepreneurship and aiding employees in finding better jobs.

The Fund can be used for financing activities related to:

  • investing in human resources (lifelong learning, innovations and entrepreneurship, professional orientation, training of lecturers in different expert areas)
  • supporting the integration of the unemployed into the labour market (financing seminars, training)
  • adapting to economic changes (more productive work organisation, targeting knowledge and skills, employment and training)
  • accessing labour market (modernisation and strengthening of institutions, active employment measures)
  • social inclusion (fighting discrimination, employment, help and services)

and

  • supporting employment services (networking with research centres, creating and implementing studies regarding the need for a certain employee profile)

Beneficiaries: public administration, workers’ and employers’ associations, non-governmental organisations, charitable institutions and companies.

European agricultural fund for rural development

Purpose: improving rural policy management and control; investing in establishing ecological and territorial balance, protecting climatic conditions and introducing innovations into the agricultural sector.

The Fund can be used for financing activities related to:

  • fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas
  • boosting competitiveness of all types of agriculture and strengthening the growth of sustainable economy
  • promoting food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture
  • reintroducing, preserving and promoting ecological dependency of agriculture and forestry
  • promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors
  • promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas

Beneficiaries: agricultural business entities, agricultural organisations, associations and trade unions, environmental protection associations, organisations providing cultural services, including the media, women’s associations, farmers, foresters, young.

European maritime and fisheries fund

Purpose: ensuring funding for fishing industry and coastal communities with the aim of adjustment to the changed conditions within the sector, as well as reaching economic and ecological sustainability. The aim of the Fund is ensuring sustainable fisheries and aquaculture industry (fish, mollusc and aquatic plant farming).

The Fund can be used for financing activities related to:

  • sustainable development of fisheries, aquaculture and fishing areas
  • reimbursing additional costs for fishery products and aquaculture in the farthest regions
  • integrated maritime policy and accompanying measures

Beneficiaries: economic entities and associations in EU member states.

What is available to the Republic of Croatia in EU Funds?

Through accession the EU, the Republic of Croatia has become a beneficiary of the EU funds. In the 2014-2020 financial period, the Republic of Croatia has at its disposal in total EUR 10.676 billion from the European Structural and Investment funds.

Out of that amount, EUR 8.397 billion is envisaged for the cohesion policy objectives, EUR 2.026 billion is envisaged for agriculture and rural development, while EUR 253 million is envisaged for development of fisheries.

The Republic of Croatia has also used, and currently still uses, funding from the structural instruments of the 2007-2013 financial perspective, Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and European Union Programmes.

European Union Programmes (box)

Pre-accession programmes

EU Funds 2007-2013

ESI Funds 2014-2020

 

What is avaliable to the Rebublic of Croatia in EU Funds?

In the 2014-2020 financial period, the Republic of Croatia has at its disposal in total EUR 10.676 billion from the European Structural and Investment funds. Out of that amount, EUR 8.397 billion is envisaged for the cohesion policy objectives, EUR 2.026 billion is envisaged for agriculture and rural development, while EUR 253 million is envisaged for development of fisheries. The Republic of Croatia has also used, and currently still uses, funding from the structural instruments of the 2007-2013 financial perspective, Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and European Union Programmes.

 

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