Croatia’s Green and Just Transition: Empowering Communities through the Just Transition Fund
Croatia is an active participant in the Just Transition Fund (JTF) as part of the Cohesion Policy. The JTF has been instrumental in supporting the regions of Istria and Sisak-Moslavina as they embark on a journey towards a more environmentally friendly and equitable future. This collaborative effort involves national authorities, local stakeholders, and the European Commission.
The investments made through the JTF are designed to bring about a significant shift in the region’s economic landscape. They focus on initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of the local workforce, with a particular emphasis on establishing innovation hubs and fostering circular business models within the manufacturing sector.
In Istria, this economic transformation is expected to yield tangible results, including the creation of approximately 300 direct and 300 indirect jobs. Moreover, around 200 individuals will undergo reskilling, courtesy of various awareness activities. These activities aim to equip local businesses with the expertise required to usher in a green transition within their operations.
In Sisak-Moslavina, the path to a sustainable economy is riddled with challenges posed by numerous polluting industries. Nevertheless, the JTF is championing diversification by investing in small and medium-sized enterprises through innovative technology-driven approaches.
One notable endeavor within the JTF is the Project EUTEENS4GREEN, a European Union-funded initiative focused on the Sisak region. Here, the younger generation plays a pivotal role in engaging the local community to facilitate a seamless transition towards a more sustainable future.
The “Vertical Farm – Great Opportunity!” project is pioneering methods for cultivating food in a manner that is both ecological and health-conscious. Additionally, this project seeks to share these techniques with local farmers. An exciting development is the acquisition of a vertical farm, which will find its home within the Sisak industrial-craft school (IOS Sisak).
