More than €13.4 million allocated to strengthen management of protected areas and Natura 2000 sites

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Marija Vučković, and her associates participated today in the ceremony of awarding the Decisions and Financing Agreements within the Call for Proposals "Improved Management of Protected Areas and Natura 2000 Ecological Network Areas", which is implemented through the "Competitiveness and Cohesion 2021-2027" Programme.

On this occasion, more than EUR 13.4 million in grants were awarded for projects worth a total of EUR 15.83 million, further strengthening the management system of protected areas and Natura 2000 areas in the Republic of Croatia.

Minister Vučković emphasized the importance of strategic investment in the preservation of natural heritage: "Today, we are awarding EUR 13.46 million in grants for projects that represent a concrete and measurable step forward in the implementation of our nature protection policy. Nature protection is not a formal obligation, but a development priority."

She also emphasized that development and nature protection are complementary goals: "Our policy is clear: development and nature protection are not opposing goals. They must go together. Nature protection means safer communities, a more resilient economy and a better quality of life for citizens."

Beneficiaries

Financing decisions were awarded to five applicants, while grant agreements were awarded to three applicants, a total of eight public institutions that manage the most valuable parts of the natural heritage of the Republic of Croatia.

The decisions and agreements were awarded by Minister Marija Vučković, State Secretary Tanja Radić Lakoš, acting Director of the Directorate for the Implementation of Operational Programmes and Financial Instruments at the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds Sanja Slunjski and Director of the CFCA Dragan Jelić, while they were accepted on behalf of the beneficiaries by directors and representatives of public institutions.

The Minister thanked all beneficiaries for their well-prepared projects, with the message that the Ministry will continue to be a strong partner in further strengthening the nature protection system.