The IPA Program for cross-border cooperation Croatia - Serbia for the period from 2021 to 2027 (hereinafter referred to as the "Program") was designed as an instrument that will encourage cooperation between Serbia and Croatia, face common challenges and point to the possibility and need for more better cooperation in certain areas in the future. It will continue to be an instrument to help authorities to gain insight into best practices and develop their own practices in a cooperative manner, but will also be open to other key project stakeholders strengthening their capacities and using their knowledge and skills to develop new solutions for the greater good of the region. The mission of the Program, in addition to further strengthening the social, economic and territorial development of the cross-border area, is to encourage and support cross-border cooperation in order to make the area more resistant to common challenges. These challenges include, among others, processes of economic transition, climate change and the long-term socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was conceived in such a way as to help solve the main regional imbalances, to contribute to the reduction of inequality between the levels of development of the regions involved, with special reference to the nurturing of cross-border regions. The program, through the realization of the planned joint cross-border activities, will support the capacities of the program area for recovery on the way to the exit from the crisis.

The long-term goal of the Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation program Croatia-Serbia 2021-2027 is the sustainable development of the program area through smart, green and socially innovative projects. In addition to strengthening the social, economic and territorial development of the cross-border area, the Program aims to encourage and support cross-border cooperation in order to make the area more resistant to common challenges (processes of economic transition, climate change and long-term socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Specific objective 1.1. - Development and improvement of research and innovation capacities and adoption of advanced technologies

Specific objective 2.1. - Promotion of renewable energy sources

Specific objective 2.2. - Promotion adaptation to climate change and natural disaster risk prevention, building resilience capacity, taking into account ecosystem-based approaches

Specific objective 3.1. - Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering the resilience of health systems, including primary care, and promoting the transition from institutional to family and community-based care

Specific objective 4.1. - Strengthening the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

The program focuses on the following priorities and program objectives:

Priority 1: Collaboration for a Smarter Program Area

Goal 1.1:  Development and improvement of research and innovation capacities and adoption of advanced technologies

Priority 2: Collaboration for a greener program area that is more resilient to climate change

Cgoal 2.1 – Promotion of renewable energy sources

Goal 2.2. - Promotion of adaptation to climate change and prevention of risks from natural disasters

Priority 3 - Collaboration for a healthier and more inclusive program area

Cgoal 3.1. - Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering the resilience of health systems, including primary care

Priority 4 - Cooperation for more sustainable and socially innovative tourism and culture

Goalgoal 4.1. - Strengthening the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

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The territory covered by the Program includes the following regions:

In Serbia:

North Bački district,

Zapadnobački district,

Juznobacka district,

Srem district and

Mačvan district.

In Croatia:

Osijek-Baranja County,

Vukovar-Srijem County,

Brod-Posavina County and

Požega-Slavonia County

State administration bodies, chambers, development agencies, science and technology parks, entrepreneurship centers, local/regional self-government units, public institutions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), utilities, companies, research/educational/scientific institutions, public hospitals , health centers, civil society organizations, various non-governmental organizations, tourist boards, small and medium-sized enterprises, from both participating countries.

In Serbia:

• Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia (MEI) (Management Administration)
• Office for the Audit of the European Union Asset Management System

In Croatia:

• Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia - Sector for Management of Interreg Cooperation Programs Ministry of Finance and Treasury of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia - Department for Coordination of European Territorial Cooperation Programs and Macroregional Strategies
• Agency for the Audit of the European Union Asset Management System
• Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia - Directorate for Finance and Information and Telecommunication Systems

Joint Secretariat, office in Sremska Mitrovica
Solarski trg 3, 22000 Sremska Mitrovica

Joint Secretariat
Ministry of Regional Development and Funds of the European Union
Miramarska cesta 22, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

You can find all relevant documents on the website:

Interreg Croatia - Serbia (interreg-croatia-serbia.eu)