The multiannual financial framework for the budget period 2021-2027 focuses on new and strengthened priorities in all EU policy areas, including the green and digital transition.
The program sets 5 main priority investments:
- a Smarter Europe through innovation, digitisation, economic transformation and support to SMEs businesses
- a Greener, carbon free Europe, implementing the Paris Agreement and investing in energy transition, renewables and the fight against climate change
- a more Connected Europe, with strategic transport and digital networks
- a more Social Europe, delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights and supporting quality employment, education, skills, social inclusion and equal access to healthcare
- a Europe closer to citizens, by supporting locally-led development strategies and sustainable urban development across the EU.
In the financial period 2021-2027 Croatia has a total of € 24.5 billion at its disposal, of which around € 6.3 billion in grants for the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism and € 3.6 billion in loans. Each component of the mechanism has its own digital and green components according to which 20% of investments should be directed to digital transformation and 37% to green transition. In this way, a step forward in digitalization will be achieved which is a precondition for the transformation and modernization of the economy and its entry into the 4th industrial revolution.
Also, within the national financial framework, the new cohesion policy with 5 priority objectives will be co-financed from several funds.
The European Regional Development Fund with EUR 5.36 billion will encourage the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation, digitalization, the use of renewable energy sources, EUR 1.55 billion for the Cohesion Fund will encourage R&D projects, digital transformation, social rights, health system while the European Social Fund will have EUR 1.98 billion at its disposal for education, lifelong learning and labour market measures.
