By the end of 2021 Croatia had contracted financing for projects from the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) in the amount of €13.2 billion and so far €64.8 billion or 64.8% of allocated funds has been disbursed, the the Regional Development and EU Funds Ministry stated on Wednesday.

Minister Natasa Tramisak submitted a report at the closed session of the cabinet on the situation with the absorption of ESI funds in Croatia  the press release said.

The ministry recalled that in the period from 2014 to 2020 Croatia has an allocation of €10.73 billion (HRK 81.56 bn) available from ESIF.

As at 30 December 2021, projects valued at €13.2 billion (HRK 100.34 bn) had been contracted or 123.03% of the funds allocated.

The ministry further added that a total of €6.95 billion (HRK 52.85 bn) has been paid out, which accounts for 64.8% of the allocated funds, and €5.97 billion (HRK 45.36 bn) has been verified or 55.61%.

Compared to the end of 2020, last year project financing was approved with a value of €1.2 billion (HRK 9.05 bn), €2 billion (HRK 15.03 bn) was paid out and €1.6 billion (HRK 12.01 bn) was verified, the ministry underscored.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)