On Wednesday 24 August, the European Commission adopted a €9 billion partnership agreement with Croatia under the 2021-2027 cohesion policy.
Croatia intends to allocate almost 31% of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) resources and 39% of Cohesion Fund resources to climate objectives, which is more than what is foreseen in the Common Provisions Regulation (see EUROPE 12614/11, 12657/4).
Some €2.56 billion will be targeted at improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewables in energy production to 60% of electricity generated by 2030, strengthening the circular economy, and supporting climate change resilience and biodiversity (€650 million on the latter objective), according to the EU institution.
Inter alia, the agreement provides for: – €179 million from the Just Transition Fund; - €1.7 billion from the ERDF to support the transition, digitalisation and internationalisation of SMEs; - €500 million to improve the competitiveness of regions and industries; - €1 billion to improve transport connectivity; - €2.5 billion from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to improve employment, health and social services.
This is the 19th partnership agreement adopted. There are still those with Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta and Slovenia. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)