The project “Croatian safe steps – CROSS II” was presented
The Civil Protection Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia presented the project "Croatian safe steps - CROSS II" on 11 April 2025 in Split. The project presentation conference was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of the Interior, Dr. Davor Božinović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds Kristina Bilić, Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of European Union Programmes and Projects Dragan Jelić, Director of the Civil Protection Directorate, Dr. Damir Trut, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia Andrea Čović Vidović, County Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County Blaženko Boban, Director of the Directorate for Material and Financial Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior Andreja Benić, and Deputy County Prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County Mihael Jurić.
Within the framework of the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme 2021-2027 The project "Croatian safe steps - CROSS II", which is also an operation of strategic importance, with grants in the amount of 77.12 million euros, of which 47.81 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund and 29.31 million euros from the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia, will demine a total of 4,872.06 ha of forests and forest land from mines and explosive devices and unexploded ordnance in the area of four counties: Karlovac, Lika-Senj, Sisak-Moslavina and Split-Dalmatia counties by the end of 2025.
In accordance with the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, investments are envisaged, among other things, in activities to manage risks caused by human activity, especially activities to demin the remaining mine-prone areas of the Republic of Croatia, for which 80 million euros of non-refundable funds from the European Regional Development Fund have been provided within the framework of the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme 2021-2027, or a total of 129 million euros when additional funds from the state budget are included, and which will demine a total of more than 8,000 ha of forests and forest land.
In accordance with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention), by 1 March 2026, the mine threat will be completely eliminated in the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia, thus enabling the effective reduction of mine-prone areas, improving the safety of citizens and tourists in the Republic of Croatia, protecting human health and life, protecting the environment and preserving property, and these funds will make an exceptional contribution to achieving the above. On this occasion, although demining within the CROSS II project is still ongoing, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of the Interior, Dr. Davor Božinović, presented the County Prefect Boban with a certificate of completion of demining of the Split-Dalmatia County and the symbolic "last mine", thus officially declaring this county free of mines and explosive ordnance.