EUR 120 mln investments to regenerate 6 local government units hit by war

In the coming years a total of 120 million euros will be invested in six local self-government units - Vukovar, Beli Manastir, Knin, Benkovac, Petrinja and Darda - as part of a programme for the physical, economic and social regeneration of a pilot area of small towns in previously war-hit regions

Presenting officials from those towns with a decision on their participation in the programme on Monday, Minister Branko Grcic said the funding concerned was additional money with which those towns and municipalities would be able to solve smaller, specific development problems.

"We are launching preparations for project implementation right away so that early next year everything is ready for work on the ground," he said, adding that the final deadline for programme implementation was 2023.

"There are numerous possibilities for towns to invest in their economic and social development, as envisaged by the operational programmes for competitiveness and cohesion and for human resources development. They include the construction of municipal infrastructure, establishment and development of business operations, and the preservation of existing jobs and creation of new ones, without which it is very difficult to talk about a true recovery of those underdeveloped areas," said Grcic.

He added that this primarily referred to the revival of economic activity, as well as to efforts to ensure better living conditions and a clean environment, and to all the other aspects not covered by current projects that were part of national operational programmes.

Since the funding in question is additional funding, the local self-government units will also be able to apply for funding under all other national programmes.

Grcic said the state would also provide financial assistance to local self-government units for the part of the projects that they have to finance with their own funds.

Since 85% of the funding for the projects will come from the EU and 15% from their own funds, a part of those funds will be made available by the ministry.

The six local self-government units were chosen in line with the Index of Multiple Deprivation and the rate and state of occupation during the 1991-95 aggression on Croatia. The criterion for one of the pilot areas to be an area with a significant share of the Roma minority has been met as part of this project.

(Hina) rml

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