Croatian Islands Receive 25 Million Euros for Climate Change Adaptation

The Croatian Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds has announced that it will allocate 25 million euros from the 400 million euros set aside for strengthening the civil protection system to the Croatian islands for adaptation to climate change. Specifically, Life on Ošljak Croatian islands will receive this funding to adapt to climate change and manage climate-related risks such as fires, storms, and droughts. The ministry told Hina that calls for allocation will be published in the coming weeks for grants for the purchase of rescue helicopters, firefighting equipment, and demining equipment.

In addition to the funds for the islands, the implementation of projects worth 400 million euros by 2029 includes the development of video surveillance and early fire detection systems, as well as investment in flood defense, especially the continuation of the flood defense project in the Karlovac-Sisak area. The strategy also includes plans to establish regional centers of civil protection in Varaždin, Osijek, Rijeka, Split, and Zagreb.

The Directorate of Civil Protection is currently engaged in implementing projects worth 300 million euros with an additional 200 million euros planned. These projects focus on improving early warning systems, demining efforts, constructing a National Teaching Center of Civil Protection (CZ), commissioning a new Operations Center of CZ, modernizing communication systems within CZ, promoting equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, protecting cultural heritage and critical infrastructure resilience. Furthermore procurement of vehicles