23.07.2024.
In the presence of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Split-Dalmatia County prefect Blaženko Boban, minister of environment and green transition Marija Vučković and director of the Fund Luka Balen handed over 6 contracts for co-financing projects in Split-Dalmatia County.Minister Vučković pointed out these were important projects whose funding ensured further continuation of: construction of the waste management centre in Lećevica, projects for the development of smart solutions in cities, and the development of sustainable visitor infrastructure in protected areas. "Only by joining forces can we achieve the goals of the green and digital transition, and create a sustainable society in general," said minister Vučković.
"Environmental protection, green transition and sustainable economic development are the priorities of the Government's policy, and consequently of the Fund's programmes contributing to the achievement of the Green Deal goals. The six contracts awarded to beneficiaries today worth in total almost 3 million euros are an important element in achieving these goals and raising our environmental standards", said Director Balen.
The largest amount - EUR2.7 million - has been provided for continuing the construction of the Lećevica Waste Management Centre, which will secure an integrated waste management system in Split-Dalmatia County, similar to the ones existing in Šibenik-Knin and Zadar counties. Majority of the resources for the construction of Lećevica, as in the case of other centres, are provided from European funds, while the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, finances part of the national component.
In addition to the contract for WMC Lećevica, additional contracts worth about 225 thousand euros were awarded for projects of introducing smart technologies into the public sector and creating new services. By implementing such measures, local units will be transformed into sustainable and self-sufficient cities and municipalities, with less burden on traffic, parking, air, and ultimately on the local budget. The cities of Sinj, Trilj and Hvar, and the municipality of Šolta received co-financing contracts for their projects.
Moreover, a contract for co-financing the "Sea and Karst" project contributing to the sustainability of the visitor infrastructure was presented to the director of the Split-Dalmatia County Public Institution for the Management of Protected Nature. The contract is worth 35.6 thousand euros and 2 electric vehicles for Biševo island will be purchased.
Minister Vučković thanked all beneficiaries for their engagement and announced new calls for proposals for local self-government units, as well as those for public institutions managing protected areas.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also congratulated the beneficiaries and emphasised the importance of investing in all segments of environmental protection and sustainable development, highlighting the fact that the Government had thus far provided EUR1.3 billion for the financing of sustainable tourism projects.
