The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced a public call for co-financing of projects that will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the tourism economy through a green and digital transition in tourism in the total value of €3.404.340.
The program focuses on the green and digital transition of entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, the development of sustainable tourism products, the improvement of environmentally friendly processes in the catering business, the development of innovative tourism products and services, the circular economy and the increase in energy efficiency.
Funds are available to small business entities (commercial companies outside the public sector, trades and cooperatives) and OPGs (family farms) or PGs (agricultural farms) that are registered or will be registered for catering activities upon completion of the project activities, and the grant awarding program is composed of five measures.
"This year, we have again increased the funds for this purpose and have secured 3,4 million euros for the low-value support program in tourism, with which we contribute to the green and digital transition of the sector. We are implementing the program through five measures, and in 2024, hotels are also included, as facilities with the highest added value, then camps, but also family farms, which are particularly important for the development of continental tourism, while part of the funds is also intended for the green and digital transition of nautical . The novelty that we introduced last year are grants for caterers, and now confectionery shops are also included in the measure. Through these small grants, we want to encourage restaurateurs to invest in energy efficiency and reduce food waste", Said Minister Nikolina Brnjac.
Through measure A investments in energy-efficient material assets and green transition are supported, as well as digitalization and improvement of work processes of existing hotels (Hotel, Heritage Hotel, Diffusion Hotel, Aparthotel, Tourist Village, Tourist Apartments, Boarding House, Spa Hotels, Integral Hotel).
Measure B refers to existing and new camps (Camp or Rest Camp) in the NUTS 2 region: Pannonia or Northern Croatia, and supports investments in energy-efficient material assets and green transition, as well as digitization and improvement of work processes.
Measure C refers to investments in energy-efficient material assets and green transition, as well as digitalization and improvement of work processes of existing catering facilities with year-round operations that have a valid solution from the "RESTAURANTS" group, namely: Restaurant, Inn, Bistro or Patisserie, while through measure D they support the investments of OPGs - family agricultural farms and PGs - farmers in new wineries or tasting rooms, as well as digitalization and e-bottling for OPGs or PGs that have a solution for catering services.
Measure E refers to investments in existing vessels for excursions that are registered in accordance with the Ordinance on types of nautical tourism vessels and investments in vessels intended for renting with or without a crew and providing accommodation services for guests on the vessel (charter vessels).
Applications are submitted exclusively online through the eCitizens system, on the eTurizam portal (TuRiznica). https://eturizam.gov.hr/
The public call is open until March 15, 2024, and you can find more information at the link Public invitations and tenders/Tourism.