29.06.2026.
11 contracts for green urban infrastructure development projects were officially handed over at the LORI Centre in Ludbreg. Almost EUR 17 million in grants have been provided for these contracts under the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme 2021 - 2027.The contracts were handed over to the representatives of cities and municipalities from Varaždin, Međimurje, Krapina-Zagorje and Bjelovar-Bilogora Counties by Deputy Prime Minister and minister of physical planning, construction and state assets Branko Bačić, and director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund Luka Balen, and attended by the Varaždin County prefect Anđelko Stričak.
The call is implemented by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, while the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund participates as an Intermediate Body in charge of controlling the implementation of contracted projects. At the same time, experts from the Fund's Environmental Protection Sector provided expert support to local and regional self-government units in the preparation of project proposals, which resulted in a large number of approved projects.
The largest amount, 4.5 million euros, was approved to the City of Čakovec, while the City of Daruvar was awarded 3.1 million euros. The City of Ludbreg has been approved 2 million euros for the project of green infrastructure development. Representatives of the cities of Bjelovar and Mursko Središće and the municipalities of Veliki Grđevac, Nedelišće, Krapinske Toplice, Mače, Mihovljan and Radoboj also received their contracts.
The implementation of these projects in cities and municipalities will establish new public green spaces, trees and shrubs will be planted, green areas will be connected into functional units, rainwater management systems will be upgraded, and the effects of urban heat islands will be mitigated. The investments will contribute to and improved public space, greater resilience of urban areas to climate change and sustainable development of local communities.
