INTERREG – Cultivating connections and partnerships in border regions.

European Interreg Cross-Border cooperation, supports cooperation between regions from at least two Member States lying directly on the borders or adjacent to them. This aims to tackle common challenges identified jointly in border regions (such as poor accessibility to the connectivity of information and communication technologies, local declining industries, inadequate business environment, lack of networking, low levels of research and innovation)

The aim is to exploit the untapped growth potential in border areas (cross-border development and innovation clustering, cross-labour markets and co-operation between SMEs) while enhancing the cooperation process with a view to strengthening the overall harmonious development.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy. They employ people, account for more than half of Europe’s GDP and play a key role to adding value in every sector of the economy. SMEs bring innovative solutions to challenges and help spread this innovation throughout regions. They are therefore central to the sustainable and digital economy, competitiveness and prosperity.

The Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) main objective is reflected in the strategic creation of a unique system that would provide support to entrepreneurs through all development stages of operation starting from research and development of an idea to commercialization and placement on the market.

The Agency also provides financial support to innovative and technology-oriented enterprises in Croatia by increasing the commercialization of knowledge and awareness about the value of innovations, supporting the transfer of knowledge and technological solutions from the scientific sector to the economy, promoting the establishment and development of technology infrastructure.  By supporting the growth and development of SMEs and crafts, it attempts to stimulate Croatia’s economic growth to strengthen the Croatian global competitiveness.

Through cross-border programs, HAMAG-BICRO strives to encourage the development of entrepreneurship and SMEs in cross-border areas.

The implementation of cross-border projects intended for SMEs will encourage:

• • additional development of trade between countries
  • strengthening of economic cooperation,
  • joint development of products, services and business solutions,
  • the development of local SMEs with a strong focus on the introduction of product or process innovations,
  • strengthening of cross-border business cooperation.

Interreg cross-border programs where HAMAG-BICRO implements projects:

• • Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro
  • Interreg V-A Hungary-Croatia Co-operation Programme
  • Interreg Italy – Croatia