Objectives and Priorities

The Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia Programme 2021-2027 is to deepen and, as much as possible, to extend the scope of the co-operation and networking on the basis of the success of the already started and experienced co-operative efforts. To achieve this, the programme creates better conditions and provides incentives for the main stakeholders of the region through five Priorities and within them several Specific Objectives that have been identified as tools for the joint strategic development of the region:

Specific Objective 1.3 – Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments

Complementary business cooperation of SMEs on two sides of the border should be strengthened with focus of joint appearance on each other’s and third markets. SME business cooperation shall have a positive effect on competitiveness, generation of value added, and improvement of employment situation. Due to poor entrepreneurial innovation performance, cooperation-based innovative product, service and technology development of SMEs operating in the border area should be promoted in which partner SMEs pay complementary role in the joint innovative development with clear division of tasks according to their professional competences. Joint innovation and business cooperation of the SMEs in the Programme area needs to be supported by the involvement of relevant business support and R&D organisations mainly in cross-border project generation and development. The Priority is implemented entirely through an Operation of Strategic Importance which acts as an umbrella project, providing SME matchmaking and assistance through its non-profit territorial partners, while the bulk of the developments will be performed by the SME-s themselves, to be selected via open calls for proposals.

Specific Objective 2.1 – Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Growth in the share of renewable energies is a positive phenomenon, but further steps should be taken into this direction, based on local renewable potentials. In the area solar and geothermal energy have real potentials that may serve as basis for future projects. Cooperation, knowledge and experience exchange in energy efficiency of building stock (public, enterprises, households) should be promoted, as well as promotion of renewable energy sources. Support should be provided to initiatives that contribute to awareness-raising about energy consciousness, energy poverty of the population and businesses. Cooperation activities may include joint territorial analysis for identifying and promoting of capitalisation on local best practices, elaboration of guidelines for optimal interventions, generation and implementation of joint low-carbon strategies and innovative initiatives of cross-border relevance, initiating various awareness raising and capitalisation actions and preparation of related small-scale pilot investments.

Specific Objective 2.4 – Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience taking into account eco-system based approaches

Cooperation in projects of green and blue land use, improvement of the status of waterbodies, protection of the environment and nature, habitat connectivity, restoration of natural habitats (wetlands, oxbows), application of nature-based solutions, natural water retention measures and management of invasive species should be promoted. Jointly developed actions aiming at understanding the future effects of flood protection interventions (ecological status survey, research, plans and environmental impact assessment), as well as implementing the interventions, which help reducing climate change impacts should be also supported. Besides investment-related projects, cooperation initiatives of preparing joint sustainable energy and climate action plans, exchange on biodiversity, climate change mitigation, disaster management, awareness-raising about environmental issues (clean technologies, circular economy in the field of waste management, biodiversity, reduction of pollution) should also be supported.

Specific Objective 3.2 – Developing and enhancing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility

Road connections should be supported to provide linkages in isolated peripheral areas, in order to connect neighbouring communities, providing improved and quicker access to TEN-T and other major road/rail infrastructure, generating time savings in cross-border mobility such as local roads on the sections Sárok-Kneževo-Popovac and Zákány-Gotalovo, and preparation of building plans / technical documentation for the construction of the Murakersztúr-Kotoriba bridge. These actions will facilitate the movement of people and goods across the border, boosting trade and economic growth consistent with the objectives outlined in the ’Declaration of Intent to Foster Economic Cooperation and Transportation Links Between the Border Regions of Croatia and Hungary’. On the other hand, shortening the travel time between the two countries will not only enhance social integration in the region, but will have a positive effect on travel costs and reduction of CO₂, aligning with the principles of the EU Green Deal. The Priority is implemented solely though Operations of Strategic Importance, selected by the programme via restricted calls for proposals.

Specific Objective 4.2 – Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training

Labour productivity is lagging behind the EU average in the border area, there is a strong mismatch between skills and demand on the labour market. This is largely due to the shortcomings of the education system as there is disproportion between the labour market needs and educational system supply. Higher education capacities with wide range of disciplines exist in the border region, with a tendency of decreasing number of students, which has a negative effect on competitiveness. Therefore it has to be better harmonised with market demand. Vocational education is also not adequately harmonised, should be better focused to the market demand. Also, there is rather low adult participation in education which is in contrary to the principle of life long learning. In order to promote competitiveness of education and life long learning all levels of education need to be enhanced through joint education projects of educational institutions on the two sides of the border. This includes development of joint curricula, launching of new training courses, exchange of good practices in educational programmes, supporting small-scale infrastructural investments and the use of distance/online learning tools.

Specific Objective 4.6 – Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

Due to the phenomenon of ‘overtourism’ less crowded ‘close-to-nature’ destinations will become more attractive. This tendency has been strengthened by the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with these trends tourism infrastructure and services should be developed in a coordinated way and respecting nature preservation aspects on basis of local natural and cultural heritage, focusing on development and promotion of tourism attractions, green mobility (cycling, hiking, kayak/canoe tours), improving physical connection of tourism attractions, developing tourism-related active and sport infrastructure as well as infrastructure related to cultural tourism, further strengthening the existing emerging brands (Mura-Drava Danube Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, EuroVelo 13, Amazon of Europe), for the sake of generating unique and competitive tourism products. This generates income for the local population contributing to their social inclusion and strengthening the local economy.

Specific Objective ISO6.2 – Enhance efficient public administration by promoting legal and administrative cooperation and cooperation between citizens, civil society actors and institutions, in particular with a view to resolving legal and other obstacles in border regions

Public administration and governance structures – despite long common history – show significant differences. Role of local governments is rather similar; however, the role of county-level institutions and the state shows a mixed picture. In both countries cities/towns with central functions play a key role in regional development. Due to the low level of territorial integration between the two sides, thematic cooperation of territorial governance actors (public or private non-profit) is needed in various domains, with the aim of identifying obstacles (legal and administrative), exchange of experiences, providing solutions for existing gaps, fostering digitalisation, transfer of good practices and generation and preparation of future projects.

Specific Objective ISO6.3 – Build up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions

The border region is traditionally characterised by a positive and cooperative relationship between the partner countries. Local governments, civil and cultural organisations are traditionally active players in cooperation. This is particularly true for minority organisations that play a significant role in connecting the two sides. They are active in culture, education and sport as well. In order to build mutual trust, the promotion of cultural exchange and dialogue support is essential to civil organisations, operating in the following fields: cultural organisations, sport and youth associations, minority organisations. This includes the organisation of joint events and realisation of joint initiatives.