In recent years, the Zagreb County Tourist Board has demonstrated a strong commitment to applying for and implementing EU-funded projects. This proactive approach has led to the successful application and positive evaluation of a new EU project funded under the Horizon Europe programme. The project, titled KNOWING, will run for 48 months, with implementation commencing on 1 June 2022. Its objectives include developing a modelling framework to understand better and quantify the interactions among the impacts and risks of climate change, mitigation measures, and adaptation strategies. The project will also assess the relationship between public and private climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, and identify optimal combinations of interventions across sectors to address climate change effectively. Ultimately, the project addresses one of the key pillars of sustainable development — the environmental dimension. The total value of the project amounts to EUR 6,579,574. The Zagreb County Tourist Board is participating alongside 19 project partners, all of whom share the goal of establishing sustainable tourism, preserving the climate, and supporting social transformation within Zagreb County.
As highlighted by representatives of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, such achievements require continuous monitoring of co-financing opportunities across various tourism-related programmes, close tracking of global tourism trends, in-depth analysis of tourism development in Zagreb County, and the generation of innovative project ideas to improve further. Equally important is ongoing collaboration and communication with numerous potential project partners across the European Union and beyond.
At present, the Zagreb County Tourist Board is implementing two additional EU co-financed projects. The first is PRONACUL, a project focused on promoting and preserving natural and cultural heritage while supporting the development of a transnational strategy for the joint promotion of the Adriatic-Ionian region as a unified tourist destination. PRONACUL is financed under the INTERREG V-B Adriatic-Ionian Transnational Cooperation Programme 2014–2020 and will run until September 2022. The total project value is EUR 1,770,348.98. In addition to the lead partner, the project brings together 11 partners, including the Zagreb County Tourist Board, as well as six associated and supporting partners.
The second ongoing project is Ecomuseum Bistra, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund under the Integrated Territorial Investments mechanism within the Zagreb Urban Agglomeration area. The project beneficiary is the Municipality of Bistra, and the partners, alongside the Zagreb County Tourist Board, include the Ecomuseum Bistra Association. The project aims to renovate and reconstruct the former school building in Poljanica Bistranska and transform it into a modern, fully equipped cultural and tourism centre. By dedicating part of the renovated facility to promoting the Municipality of Bistra as a tourist destination and establishing a tourist information centre, the project will enhance the area's attractiveness to visitors. The total project value amounts to HRK 11,979,148.74, and implementation will continue until 1 September 2023.
Proud of this latest success and new initiative, the Zagreb County Tourist Board remains firmly committed to preparing and implementing international EU co-financed projects. Competition is strong, and despite rigorous evaluation criteria, even positively assessed proposals may be rejected once allocated funds are exhausted. Several new projects are currently in preparation, while others are undergoing evaluation, with results eagerly anticipated.
Sharing knowledge and best practices with relevant partners from other EU countries, as well as with national, regional, and local stakeholders, remains essential for strengthening the destination brand, emphasise representatives of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
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