Seven contracts from the ITU mechanism worth almost 24 million euros have been awarded for new development projects in Koprivnica, Erdut, Marčana, Sisak, Skradin and Ludbreg

Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman, in the presence of the Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of European Union Programmes and Projects Dragan Jelić, presented contracts from the ITU mechanism for seven new development projects in Koprivnica, Erdut, Marčana, Sisak, Skradin and Ludbreg, worth a total of almost 24 million euros.

During the presentation of the contracts, Minister Mikuš Žigman recalled that more than 680 million euros have been secured through the ITU mechanism for investments in the cities of county centers and their urban areas, because cities are recognized as drivers of development and have the greatest responsibility to be generators of new ideas, knowledge, innovations and sustainable development.

Thanks to the awarded contracts, the public transport system will be improved in Koprivnica and a science and innovation park will be built, tennis courts will be built in Erdut, an entrepreneurial incubator in Marčana, and the Munjara planetarium in Sisak, while investments will be made in sports and recreational infrastructure and sustainable tourism in Ludbreg and the surrounding municipalities.

In addition, contracts worth a total of 6.1 million euros for the construction of recycling yards were awarded from the Just Transition Fund to the city of Pula and the municipality of Pićan.

Minister Mikuš Žigman pointed out that 185.8 million euros have been secured through this Fund, which will support the Istrian and Sisak-Moslavina Counties in achieving a just climate transition. So far, contracts have been awarded from this Fund for the construction of the Gaming Industry Center in Novska and new business incubators in Sisak-Moslavina County.

On behalf of the beneficiaries of the contracts, the Mayor of Sisak Domagoj Orlić thanked the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the funds secured from the ITU mechanism, which, he pointed out, are crucial for investing in infrastructure, people and the local community, especially in smaller towns. He stressed the importance of providing equal opportunities to all cities, because without such support, many projects would not be financed, and cities would not be able to develop their full potential and improve the lives of their citizens.