Digital, Innovation, and Green Technology Project

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The project will advance research and innovation in Croatia with focus on the digital and green agenda, by enhancing institutional capacities and strengthening the program mix. The project aims to fill gaps in the institutional and other enabling conditions and financing for research and innovation. The interventions will build the capacities of institutions to deliver on the digital and green research and innovation agenda, complement and enhance the effectiveness of EU-funded investments, and finance digital and green research and innovation. The project supports reforms envisaged in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Smart Specialization Strategy (S3), and activities important for OECD accession.The project is structured into two components for a duration of 5 years. Component 1 ‘Enabling institutional conditions for digital and green research and innovation’ provides technical assistance and financing to strengthen institutional capacities and support the efficient use of EU funds. Component 1 includes two subcomponents. Subcomponent 1.1 aims to improve the institutional capabilities and infrastructure for research, development and innovation, and Subcomponent 1.2 provides complementary resources to enhance the effectiveness of research and innovation financing. Component 2 ‘Programs for digital and green research and innovation’ provides sub-financing to cover the gaps in the program mix and improve the targeting of research and innovation support to digital and green technology.Subcomponent 1.1 includes potential civil works for infrastructure improvement in selected research institutions, which could include construction or refurbishment of scientific center for electrical engineering and computing, a center for digitalization and greening in the maritime industry, and a STEM center. These centers may be equipped with upgraded research facilities, start-up incubators, co-working laboratories, research and development in the fields of information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. The potential civil works in Component 2 include pilot projects, through grants to the public and private sector, which may include individual microgrids (a small-scale, localized energy network connecting distributed energy sources that can operate independently of the main grid), integrated transport, remote healthcare, etc.