Contracts signed with local tourist boards for projects aimed at enriching destination content, encouraging sustainable development, and further strengthening the tourism identity of Zagreb County.
A ceremonial signing and award presentation for co-financing agreements of local tourist board projects from the Zagreb County area was held at the offices of the Zagreb County Tourist Board. The funding has been granted through the Fund for Tourism in Underdeveloped Areas and the Continental Region.
The total value of the allocated funds amounts to €186,856.50, supporting 15 projects led by local tourist boards. The funding is intended for the development of tourism products and services, promotion of local heritage and distinctive features, sustainable development initiatives, eno-gastronomy, events, active tourism, and digital promotion.
The contracts were awarded in accordance with the terms and criteria set out in the “Public Call for the Allocation of Funds for Local Tourist Board Projects in Tourism Underdeveloped Areas and the Continental Region in 2026 within Zagreb County from the Fund for Tourism Underdeveloped Areas and the Continental Region”, concluded between the Zagreb County Tourist Board and local tourist boards across Zagreb County.
Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, highlighted the importance of this investment:
“Continental tourism develops through what is local, authentic, and unique. Tradition, gastronomy, events, and natural beauty form the foundation for creating experiences that attract visitors and strengthen a destination's identity. Active tourism, educational programmes, and digital promotion enable these experiences to reach a wider audience, while funding from the Fund transforms ideas into tangible projects — from wine and gastronomy routes to themed events and educational trails. In this way, we are developing content that gives visitors a reason to come, while providing lasting value and economic sustainability for local communities through sustainable development.”
Eva Jendriš Škrljak, Mayor of the Town of Sveti Ivan Zelina, emphasised the development potential of wine roads and wine tourism as a strategically important segment of continental tourism:
“The Zelina Wine Route connects winemakers, local producers, and visitors, creating a unique eno-gastronomic destination. Projects supported through the Fund help us further develop this wine tourism offering, enhance events and themed routes, and strengthen our region's identity. Such investments contribute not only to tourism development, but also to the quality of life within the local community.”
Among the approved projects are programmes that combine tradition with contemporary interpretations of local gastronomy, such as the “What Our Ancestors Ate” project, which this year celebrates its 45th anniversary. The projects also support events such as the upcoming Sparkling Wine and Strawberry Festival, as well as themed routes and active tourism initiatives, including cycling and walking trails, among them the trail in Varoški Lug. In addition, the projects include cultural and educational content inspired by local legends, such as the story of the Zelina witches, as well as digital promotion initiatives, including CikloTour in Velika Gorica, further enhancing the visibility and appeal of continental tourism.
All selected projects and additional information about the Public Call are available on the official website of the Croatian National Tourist Board under the section “Fund for Tourism Underdeveloped Areas and the Continental Region”: HTZ. hr.
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