European Territorial Cooperation 2021–2027
Croatia participates in five cross-border cooperation programmes—three with EU Member States (Slovenia, Hungary, Italy) and two with non-EU countries (Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro). Projects are implemented in partnership with neighboring countries within a shared programme area.
Cross-border Programme Slovenia – Croatia 2021–2027
The programme covers 8 Croatian counties (Istria, Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje, Međimurje, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Varaždin, Zagreb County, and the City of Zagreb) and 9 Slovenian regions. The total budget from the European Regional Development Fund amounts to €41,844,493.
The programme is implemented through three main priorities: A Green and Adaptable Region, A Resilient and Sustainable Region, and An Accessible and Connected Region. Its objectives include strengthening climate change resilience, preserving nature and biodiversity, promoting culture and sustainable tourism, improving public administration, and building trust and cooperation among citizens and institutions in the border area.
More information is available at: http://www.si-hr.eu/hr2/
Cross-border Programme Hungary – Croatia 2021–2027
The programme covers 8 Croatian counties (Bjelovar-Bilogora, Koprivnica-Križevci, Međimurje, Osijek-Baranja, Požega-Slavonia, Varaždin, Virovitica-Podravina, and Vukovar-Srijem) and 3 Hungarian regions. The total ERDF budget amounts to €58,070,103.
The programme is implemented through four main priorities: A Competitive Border Region, A Greener Low-Carbon Border Region, A Connected Border Region, and An Inclusive Border Region. Objectives include strengthening SME competitiveness and growth, promoting energy efficiency and climate resilience, developing sustainable and intermodal mobility, improving access to education and lifelong learning, and enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism.
More information is available at: www.huhr-cbc.com
Cross-border Programme Italy – Croatia 2021–2027
The programme covers 8 Croatian counties (Dubrovnik-Neretva, Istria, Karlovac, Lika-Senj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Split-Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin, and Zadar) and 25 Italian provinces. The total ERDF budget amounts to €178,179,438.
The programme is implemented through five main priorities: Sustainable Growth in the Blue Economy, A Green and Resilient Shared Environment, Sustainable Maritime and Multimodal Transport, Culture and Tourism for Sustainable Development, and Integrated Governance for Stronger Cooperation. Objectives include developing research and innovation capacities, strengthening skills for smart specialization and entrepreneurship, adapting to climate change, preserving nature and biodiversity, developing sustainable and climate-resilient mobility, promoting culture and sustainable tourism, and strengthening cooperation through improved programme governance.
More information is available at: www.italy-croatia.eu
Cross-border Programme Croatia – Serbia 2021–2027
The programme covers 4 Croatian counties (Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baranja, Požega-Slavonia, and Vukovar-Srijem) and 5 administrative districts in Serbia. The total EU budget amounts to €38,281,653.
The programme is implemented through four main priorities: Cooperation for a Smarter Programme Area, Cooperation for a Greener and Climate-Resilient Area, Cooperation for a Healthier and More Inclusive Area, and Cooperation for More Sustainable and Socially Innovative Tourism and Culture. Objectives include strengthening research and innovation capacities, promoting renewable energy and climate adaptation, ensuring equal access to healthcare, and enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic and social development.
More information is available at: www.interreg-croatia-serbia.eu
Cross-border Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027
The programme covers 12 Croatian counties (Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin, Zadar, Lika-Senj, Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac, Brod-Posavina, Vukovar-Srijem, Bjelovar-Bilogora, Požega-Slavonia, and Zagreb County), the Brčko District and 109 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 12 municipalities in Montenegro. The total EU budget amounts to €117,685,699.
The programme is implemented through four main priorities: Smart Investments in Research, Innovation and Competitive Entrepreneurship, Green Investments in Environmental Protection and Efficient Risk Management, Accessible and Resilient Healthcare Services, and Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism and Culture. Objectives include strengthening research and innovation capacities, fostering sustainable SME growth, promoting energy efficiency and climate resilience, transitioning to a circular and resource-efficient economy, ensuring equal access to healthcare, and enhancing culture and sustainable tourism for economic and social development.
More information is available at: www.interreg-hr-ba-me.eu
Transnational Programmes
Croatia participates in four transnational programmes (IPA Adrion, Danube Region, Central Europe, and Euro-Mediterranean). Projects are implemented in cooperation with partners from multiple countries, without territorial restrictions within Croatia.
Transnational Programme IPA Adrion 2021–2027
The programme includes 4 EU Member States (Greece, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia) and 6 non-EU countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, San Marino, North Macedonia, Serbia), with a total EU budget of €136.7 million.
The programme is implemented through four main objectives: A Smarter Europe, A Greener Europe, A More Connected Europe, and Better Cooperation Governance. The focus is on strengthening research and innovation capacities, developing skills for industrial transition and entrepreneurship, adapting to climate change, transitioning to a circular economy, preserving nature and biodiversity, developing sustainable mobility, and improving cooperation and governance.
More information is available at: www.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu
Transnational Programme Euro-Mediterranean 2021–2027
The programme includes 10 EU Member States (Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain) and 4 non-EU countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia), with a total EU budget of €234.9 million.
The programme focuses on a Smarter Mediterranean, a Greener Mediterranean, and Better Cooperation Governance, with emphasis on strengthening research and innovation, climate adaptation, circular and resource-efficient economy, nature and biodiversity protection, and improved governance and cooperation across the Mediterranean region.
More information is available at: www.interreg-euro-med.eu
Transnational Programme Danube Region 2021–2027
The programme includes 9 EU Member States (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) and 5 non-EU countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine), with a total EU budget of €224.6 million.
The programme is implemented through four main objectives: A Smarter Europe, A Greener Europe, A More Inclusive Europe, and Better Cooperation Governance. The focus is on strengthening research and innovation, skills for industrial transition, renewable energy and climate resilience, sustainable water management, nature and biodiversity protection, improving labour markets and education, strengthening culture and tourism, and enhancing institutional capacity.
More information is available at: www.interreg-danube.eu
Transnational Programme Central Europe 2021–2027
The programme includes 9 EU Member States (Austria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia), with a total EU budget of €224.6 million.
The programme is implemented through four objectives: A Smarter Central Europe, A Greener Central Europe, A More Connected Central Europe, and Better Governance in Central Europe. The focus is on innovation capacity, industrial transition skills, climate-neutral energy transition, climate resilience, circular economy, environmental protection, urban mobility, improved transport connections, and governance for integrated territorial development.
More information is available at: www.interreg-central.eu
Interregional Programmes
Croatia participates in the INTERREG EUROPE and INTERACT programmes. Cooperation takes place with partners from various European countries without territorial restrictions.
Interreg Europe 2021–2027
The programme covers all EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. Its objective is to improve governance across European regions in line with EU policy goals, promoting smarter, greener, more connected, and more social development, bringing Europe closer to its citizens, and enhancing regional policy implementation.
More information is available at: https://www.interregeurope.eu/
INTERACT 2021–2027
This programme does not fund projects but focuses on harmonising the implementation of European Territorial Cooperation across the EU, external borders, and remote areas, as well as strengthening the capacity of programme management and control bodies. It provides advisory support through training, seminars, workshops, meetings, conferences, and tools, including materials such as manuals, studies, document templates, online resources, databases, e-tools, and EU promotional campaigns.