17 new projects signed under the Interreg Slovenia-Croatia Programme worth 17.9 million euros

On Monday, 2 March 2026, the signing ceremony for 17 standard projects approved under the open call for proposals of the Interreg Slovenia-Croatia programme 2021–2027 took place in Zagreb.
Introductory speeches were given by State Secretary Domagoj Mikulić from the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary Marko Koprivc from the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Head of the Managing Authority Aleš Mrkela. The importance of the long-standing cross-border cooperation between the two countries, which has been continuously developing since 2003 and represents one of the examples of successful implementation of European policies at the local and regional level, was highlighted.
EUR 17.9 million was provided for the selected projects from the European Regional Development Fund. 126 project applications were received in response to the call, which confirms the strong interest and potential for further cooperation in the border area.
The approved projects will contribute to the achievement of the programme objectives through:
• strengthening resilience to climate change and improving risk management,
• developing sustainable tourism and valorising natural and cultural heritage,
• strengthening institutional cooperation and removing administrative obstacles,
• improving social inclusion and quality of life of the inhabitants of the border area.
The Interreg Programme Slovenia – Croatia 2021–2027 continues to be an important instrument for strengthening cooperation between the two countries and encouraging balanced development of the cross-border area.