Cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina on climate change projects

Minister of environmental protection and energy transition Marija Vučković, director of the Fund Luka Balen, and state secretary Željko Vuković presented the beneficiaries with grant agreements for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Following a public call published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition in cooperation with the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund in December 2024, 16 contracts were awarded. Projects that will be financed to cities, municipalities and public institutions in BiH include energy renovation of schools and public buildings, installation of systems for the use of renewable energy sources, procurement of electric vehicles and charging points, modernisation of heating systems, and other measures aimed at reducing GHG emissions and increasing resilience to climate change.

The projects will be implemented until the end of 2026 and are financed by proceeds from GHG emissions auctions in Croatia from 2021 to 2025.

Minister Vučković pointed out that this was the first public call of this kind related to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an emphasis on cross-border areas that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. She emphasised that strategic cooperation with Croats in BiH is not based solely on financial assistance, but also on a strong political partnership and the constitutional obligation of the Republic of Croatia.

"Today's contracts cover energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on public buildings, which will directly contribute to improving living conditions in your communities. The Croatian Government remains committed to consistent support to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and joint cooperation will remain the basis for future initiatives," said minister Vučković.

The director of the Fund, Luka Balen, also confirmed that these projects will be an example of successful cross-border cooperation and a roadmap for further joint projects in the field of green transition. "I am glad that as an implementing body, together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, the Fund will participate in the implementation of these international projects. Given our experience, the Fund can help you in to successfully see through the implementation, whether it is the energy renovation of buildings, the installation of renewable energy sources, the establishment of electric charging points, or the development climate neutrality action plans," said the director of the Fund.

The ceremony of presenting the agreement was also attended by numerous high-ranking guests, including the President of the Croatian National Assembly of BiH Dragan Čović, the President of the Federation of BiH Lidija Bradara, a member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Darijana Filipović, the Prime Minister of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Marija Buhač, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to BiH Ivan Sabolić, State Secretary Zvonko Milas, and numerous representatives of local and regional authorities, education and health care institutions, as well as the beneficiaries themselves.