19.06.2026.
The Director of the Fund, Luka Balen, together with the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Marija Vučković, had a working visit in Koprivnica-Križevci County. The discussion at the meeting included current state of construction of RWMC Piškornica and other important environmental protection and water management projects in the county, including the remediation of the embankment along the Drava River, the removal of sediments from Lake Šoderica and the resolution of environmental burdens at the location of the former train wash plant in Botovo.After the meeting, the participants visited the construction site of RWMC Piškornica, where they could see the course and dynamics of the works. The project with a total value of almost EUR 150 million is financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, and local partners.
The minister of environmental protection and green transition, Marija Vučković, emphasised the importance of the project for the Croatian waste management system.
"The progress that has been made compared to last year is really impressive. Piškornica is one of the largest and most valuable strategic waste management projects in Croatia. Last year, we signed the most important part of the financing agreement and the necessary annexes, we also secured the European share, as well as the Ministry’s share, and finally of the Fund. In doing so, we took into account the financial capacities of the founders and the financial challenges of the centre. In addition, we have established a new model of cooperation related to the loan of the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development," said minister Vučković.
The director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Luka Balen, emphasised the importance of joint action of all project partners. "RWMC Piškornica represents an important step towards more efficient waste management, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and achievement of circular economy goals. The Fund will continue to be a reliable partner to local and regional self-government units in the implementation of projects that contribute to the green transition and environmental protection," said Balen.
The director of RWMC Piškornica, Mladen Ružman, presented the current status of the project. "The start of trial operation of the centre is planned at the end of the first or the beginning of the second quarter next year, while the completion and commissioning of the centre is expected in late 2027. This dynamic ensures that the northwest of Croatia, including Bjelovar-Bilogora County, which should be join the centre in 2030, can treat mixed municipal waste, which is one of the important goals of the whole of Croatia. The benefits of this centre lie in the fact that CO₂ will be reduced by 45,000 tons, which is the equivalent of all passenger vehicles in Koprivnica-Križevci County in one year, and another contribution to environmental protection is that by 2035, only 10 percent of the total mass of mixed waste will be disposed of," explained Ružman.
The prefect of Koprivnica-Križevci County, Tomislav Golubić, also expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project. "I am sure that by the end of 2027, possibly early 2028, this regional centre will be up and running. They will be doing that we like to take pride in this county - separate waste collection and waste management - this centre is definitely one of the cogs in the machine without which this cannot be done," said Prefect Golubić.
