10/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – As part of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII and CRII+), the European Commission approved on Thursday 10 September a modification of the ‘Competitiveness and Cohesion' Operational Programme in Croatia in order to redirect €135 million from the Cohesion Policy. Some €50 million of European funds will be used to help purchase medical and protective equipment for more than 1,200 hospitals, health institutions and retirement homes, said the institution. €85 million will be channelled into Croatian SMEs, which have been hit hard by the pandemic. The programme will temporarily benefit from the 100% co-financing provided for under the initiative (see EUROPE 12495/4). (PH)