Indicative Annual Call Plan
- Specific objective RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Within this specific objective, investments are planned in applied research by Scientific Centres of Excellence that push the boundaries of research and knowledge and contribute to the development of new technologies and innovations in areas of smart specialisation.
Furthermore, support is planned for newly established SMEs in knowledge-intensive sectors for the development of new and innovative products/services/processes, as well as investments in the development of new products, services and business processes through an increase in the business sector’s investment in research and development and innovation.
- Specific objective RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments
Within the framework of this specific goal, support is provided for the inclusion of SMEs in value chains in order to establish long-term supplier relations/value chains with other companies in the targeted strategic segment through process and/or business innovations.
- Specific objective RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy
This specific objective includes the activity of financing investments in waste recycling and recovery facilities and biowaste processing facilities, which is important for the bioeconomy sector given the importance of biowaste as a source of biomass.
EC – approved on 2 December 2022
The Integrated Territorial Programme finances activities related to the industrial transition of three NUTS 2 regions (Pannonian Croatia, Adriatic Croatia and Northern Croatia).
The basis for industrial transition programming are the industrial transition plans for Pannonian, Adriatic and Northern Croatia. Priority sectors and niches grouped into regional value chains (RVC) are defined in all three NUTS 2 regions.
The implementation of the industrial transition is envisaged through targeted public calls for grants for each RVC based on developed action plans, which will be focused on:
- Strategic partnerships for innovation
- Growth and development of startup companies and SMEs
- Development of innovation clusters
- Development of smart skills for industrial transition.
RVCs and priority niches relevant to the bioeconomy:
- RVC Food and agriculture of Pannonian Croatia: Deluxe food brands; fresh food in the “Ready for consumption or quick preparation” segment; healthy and functional food (including herbal products); smart agriculture/ICT and metalworking sector solutions for smart agriculture
- RVC Green growth of Pannonian Croatia: Clean and green technologies and eco-products, green construction, wooden interiors and manufacture of custom-made furniture, (other) finished wood products, ICT and metalworking sector solutions for forestry
- RVC Green growth of Northern Croatia: Green and modular construction, food brands, branded wood products and wooden interiors
- RVC Blue growth of Adriatic Croatia: Smart fisheries and aquaculture
- RVC Green growth of Adriatic Croatia: Fresh food, green construction, and eco-products made of wood and stone.
Overview of Tenders
- Intervention 72.01. Support for limitation in forest management
The aim of the intervention is to compensate additional costs or losses incurred by forest owners and to motivate them to implement and continue practices for sustainable forest management and preserving biodiversity.
- Intervention 73.03. Use of renewable energy sources
The goal of the intervention is to increase the independence of agricultural holdings from energy sources by building or reconstructing and furnishing facilities for receiving, treating or processing and storing raw materials, that is, for the production of energy from renewable sources.
- Intervention 73.04. Investments – construction and creation of educational trails and supporting infrastructure
The goal of the intervention is to increase and strengthen the offer of products and services of public forest functions by attracting people to spend time in nature, thus strengthening the health, recreational, educational and tourist benefits of forests in a sustainable way.
- Intervention 73.05. Investments – reconstruction (conversion) of degraded forests
The aim of the intervention is to increase the resilience of forest ecosystems to biotic and abiotic factors, increase the environmental value and public functions of forest ecosystems, and preserve and increase biodiversity, which is operationally implemented through forestry work to convert forests from a lower to a higher growth form.
- Intervention 73.06. Investments – modernisation of forestry technologies in the extraction of wood, silviculture works and production of forest reproductive material
The aim of the intervention is to modernise forestry technologies in the extraction of wood, silviculture works and production of forest reproductive material.
- Intervention 73.07. Investments – modernisation of technologies in pre-industrial wood processing
The aim of the intervention is to increase the efficiency, eco-friendliness, ergonomics and work processes in pre-industrial wood processing through the modernisation of existing and the introduction of efficient and eco-friendly technologies, machines, tools and equipment.
- Intervention 73.08. Investments – construction of forest infrastructure
The aim of the intervention is to support investments in the construction and/or reconstruction of primary and secondary forest transport infrastructure.
- Intervention 73.09. Investments – promotion of wood and non-wood forest products and services
The goal of the intervention is to raise general awareness of wood through education and marketing and to encourage its use through promotional activities.
- Intervention 73.11. Support for investments in the processing of agricultural products
The aim of the intervention is to support investments in the construction of new processing capacities and modernisation of existing ones, as well as the introduction of innovative technologies with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of Croatian products and increasing employment in rural areas.
- Intervention 77.03. Support for EIP action groups
The aim of this intervention is to encourage stakeholder participation in research and knowledge transfer on processes, procedures and technologies in agricultural production and processing of agricultural products.
- Intervention 77.06. Support for the LEADER (CLLD) approach
Within the LEADER approach, support is provided for rural development projects designed at the local level within local development strategies, and implemented by local action groups (LAGs). LAGs independently determine the priority activities of their local development strategies, which may also be related to the bioeconomy.
Publication of Calls
Priority investments from the Modernisation Fund are aimed at:
- Generating and using energy from renewable sources
- Increasing energy efficiency
- Energy storage and modernisation of energy networks
- Just transition in carbon-dependent regions
The funds of the Modernisation Fund are also available for non-priority investments, i.e. investments that do not fall under the above-mentioned priority areas, but which contribute to the achievement of the goals of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and meet the criteria related to the low-carbon transition.
Measures from the NECP in the context of the bioeconomy are:
- Anaerobic decomposition of manure and generation of biogas
- Use of biogas for generating biomethane, electricity and heat, and incentives for the use of renewable energy sources for generating electricity and heat
- Preventing waste generation and reduction of solid waste
- Increasing the amount of separately collected and recycled solid waste
- Reducing the amount of disposed biodegradable waste.
Public Calls and Tenders
The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund primarily finances programmes, projects and similar activities established by the National Environmental Protection Strategy and the National Action Plan for the Environment, the Energy Development Strategy and the Energy Development Strategy Implementation Programme, as well as the National Energy Programme.
This means direct financing of research and development and innovation projects that support research and experimental development in the field of clean energy production, transport, including batteries, pure hydrogen and other low-carbon technologies, as well as research into technologies, technical and non-technical measures to reduce emissions/increase carbon sinks in sectors (energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, waste and industrial processes).
National Public Calls and Tenders
The Innovation Fund focuses on the following areas:
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- Innovative technologies and low-carbon processes in energy-intensive industries
- Carbon dioxide capture and utilisation
- Construction and operation of carbon dioxide capture and storage systems
- Innovations in generating renewable energy
- Energy storage.
Regular annual calls for project proposals will be published for funding from the Innovation Fund:
- Small-scale call
- Large-scale call
Open Calls
Horizon Europe is the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. Key areas of research and development are grouped into six clusters and the Joint Research Centre.
Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment identifies seven main expected impacts, and each expected impact is associated with a specific destination (Destination - D) as a set of activities that contribute to the achievement of the expected impacts:
D1. Biodiversity and ecosystem services
D2. Fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
D3. Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors
D4. Clean environment and zero pollution
D5. Land, oceans and water for climate action
D6. Resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities
D7. Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal