14.01.2020.
Contracts have been awarded to six Zagreb universities: the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Forestry, the Faculty of Agronomy, the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, the University in Zadar, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, College of Slavonski Brod, Institute Ruđer Bošković, Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, and the Croatian Institute of Public Health. The representatives of these institutions were awarded the contracts by the minister of environment and energy, Tomislav Ćorić, the minister of regional development and EU funds, Marko Pavić, and the deputy director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Funds, Alenka Košiša Čičin Šain.
In July last year, the Ministry of Environment and Energy invited the call for European co-financing of the projects aimed at supporting the implementation of applied research of climate adaptation measures in vulnerable and/or transversal sectors in the Seventh National Report of The Republic of Croatia under the United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change. “Climate change is a challenge for the whole of mankind. Therefore, it is no wonder that the European Union adopted the document that should contribute to Europe becoming a climate neutral continent. To this end, we already have the scientific and political consensus that investment in climate change adaptation measures today reduce the cost of rectifying potential damage in the future,” said the minister of environment and energy, Tomislav Ćorić.
For the selected projects, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund will provide national funding for 15% of eligible costs, meaning an additional 5 million kunas. “It is the interest of all of us to implement the projects successfully, and with our advice regarding EU procedures and method of implementation we will help the beneficiaries withdraw all contracted funding to the greatest possible extent,” said deputy director of the Fund, Alenka Kočiša Čičin-Šain. Mrs Košiša Činin Šain announced that for this purpose Intermediate Body level 2, which is in charge of the operational management on behalf of the Fund, will organise a workshop for the beneficiaries by the end of January, to explain their obligations and the manner of implementing the projects.
Minister Marko Pavić said that in the upcoming 2021 – 2027 allocation, the minimum of 30% of cohesion funds will be dedicated to the, so called, green Europe, and 35 % of cohesion funding for smart Europe. “I am glad that today the contracts for both have been signed,” said Pavić.