16.8 billion euros go to Croatia!
Today we held the first meeting of rapporteurs for the largest fund in the history of the European Union, weighing almost 900 billion euros. As chief negotiator of the Greens in the REGI Committee, I participated in the debate on the new mega fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture, rural areas, fisheries, maritime, prosperity and security.
This fund has enormous potential for Croatia, our regions and cities, but only if we fight for the right priorities. The negotiations will determine the development of Croatia in the years to come, and I will work to ensure that the funds from this fund really benefit the people, not just the administration or large corporations.
In particular, I will work for:
1. Cohesion funds to remain sufficient to enable programmes to reduce regional disparities in the EU.
2. Influence the design of national plans, with more specific objectives such as digital and cross-border infrastructure, support for SMEs and startups.
3. Strengthen regional and local partnerships, with the possibility of direct financing of cities and regions, without government intervention.
4. Include mandatory urban chapters in all 27 national plans.
5. Greater funding to be provided for public, affordable and sustainable housing, especially for young people.
6. Building a stronger fund architecture, and that means more safeguards, better control, and more transparent spending of funds.
Of particular importance is Article 21 on the principle of partnership. We do not want national plans to be approved if governments do not ensure the real and fair participation of partners, local authorities and civil society. In addition, I will fight to simplify access to EU funds, not only at European level, but also at national level, where smaller beneficiaries are often denied access to funds through unnecessary bureaucracy
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