# Croatia expands €38M renewable grants, local projects grow > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-municipal-infrastructure-upgrades > Updated: 2026-08-03T05:45:00.000Z. Sources: 93. Developments: 38. Following the July 2026 launch of a €38 million public call that subsidises household heat‑pump, solar‑PV and battery‑storage installations, Croatia’s municipalities have accelerated a wave of infrastructure and energy‑efficiency projects across the country. Strahoninec approved a new waste‑management facility at the Totovec landfill and completed energy‑efficient renovations of its elementary school, while Podstrana began construction of a primary school and a veterans’ sports hall. Otok and Pisarovina signed co‑financing agreements for mortuary, cemetery and road upgrades. Koprivnica closed a €2.22 million school‑renovation programme that added insulation, a new heating system and solar panels, and Korčula’s Vela Luka school received a €3.2 million rebuild funded partly by an EU grant. Cultural and heritage sites also received EU‑backed upgrades: the Zavičajni Museum in Poreč completed an energy‑retrofit; the Governor’s Palace in Rijeka finished an €8.2 million renovation; and the Palace of Međimurska popevka in Donja Dubrava opened after a €5.6 million EU‑funded restoration. Further investments include a €5.2 million school sports hall in Donja Voća, a €10.17 million regional school in Zadar, and a €1.8 million modular kindergarten in Mali Lošinj funded through HBOR loans. The European Commission and EIB allocated €109 million to Croatia for geothermal and heat‑pump upgrades under the EU Modernisation Fund. Together, these actions extend the initial renewable‑energy grant scheme, demonstrating a coordinated push to modernise public buildings, improve energy performance and expand community facilities nationwide. ## Claims - The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund announced a public call worth €38 million for household renewable energy upgrades. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Subsidies cover up to 50 % of eligible costs, or up to 70 % for households in energy poverty. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Applications open on 2 September 2026 at 09:00 through the eFZOEU electronic portal. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Maximum grant amounts are €6 000–€17 850 for regular households and €8 400–€24 990 for energy‑poor households. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The programme caps project costs at €12 500 for heat pumps, €12 000 for solar PV and €11 200 for battery systems. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Solar PV subsidies are limited to €600 per kW installed, or €840 per kW for energy‑poor households. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Funding comes from proceeds of Croatia’s emission‑unit auctions for 2026‑2030, as proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Green Transition. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Croatia’s first energy community has begun sharing locally generated solar power. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Croatian government approves over €18 million in loans for school, sports hall and infrastructure upgrades Croatia approved €18 million+ in loans for energy upgrades of schools and sports halls in Split‑Dalmatia, a fruit‑distribution centre in Požega‑Slavonia, a modular kindergarten in Mali Lošinj and other local‑in 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-government-approves-over-18-million-in-loans-for-school-sports-hall-and-infrastructure-upgr ### 2026-07-27: Croatia launches €38 million household renewable energy grant programme Croatia’s Environmental Fund unveiled a €38 million grant scheme for household heat pumps, solar PV and batteries, covering up to 70 % of costs for energy‑poor homes; applications open 2 Sept 2026. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-launches-38-million-household-solar-and-battery-grants-as-first-energy-community-goes-live ### 2026-07-25: Croatia launches €38 million renewable energy grant program for households Croatia's Fund for Environment and Energy Efficiency announced a €38 million grant scheme for heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage, offering up to 50 % cost coverage and higher support for energy‑poor ‑ 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-launches-38-million-renewable-energy-grant-program-for-households ### 2026-07-22: Croatia rolls out €38 million household renewable energy grant and receives €897 million EU funding for building up‑scal Croatia offers up to €38 million in grants for heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage, while the EU approves a €897 million tranche for its building renovation plan. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-rolls-out-38-million-household-renewable-energy-grant-and-receives-897-million-eu-funding-fo ### 2026-07-21: Croatia completes EU‑funded energy retrofits of apartment blocks in Požega and Zadar Croatia completed two EU‑backed energy retrofits of apartment blocks – Požega cut heat loss by 68% and moved from class E to C, while Zadar upgraded from class C to A with an 80% heating‑energy saving. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-completes-eufunded-energy-retrofits-of-apartment-blocks-in-poega-and-zadar ### 2026-07-20: Mali Lošinj opens rebuilt Vela Riva waterfront Croatia’s Mali Lošinj inaugurated the €2.9 million rebuilt Vela Riva waterfront, funded mainly by the Ministry of Maritime, Transport and Infrastructure, with officials praising its regional importance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mali-loinj-opens-rebuilt-vela-riva-waterfront ### 2026-07-19: Zagreb block renewal after quake advances, Minister Bačić tours sites Zagreb's block‑by‑block post‑earthquake rebuild moves forward; €3 bn spent, 559 replacement homes built, and Minister Bačić tours new housing sites. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-block-renewal-after-quake-advances-minister-bai-tours-sites ### 2026-07-19: Croatia Restores Nearly 50 Cultural Institutions After Zagreb Earthquake Croatia has restored nearly 50 museums, libraries and archives damaged in the Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes, with major sites like the Museum Mimara and National Museum of Modern Art nearing completion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-restores-nearly-50-cultural-institutions-after-zagreb-earthquake ### 2026-07-16: Popovače and Poreč councils approve budget revisions and local projects Popovače council rebalanced its 2026 budget and opened land‑lease tender; Poreč council considered heritage protection and a hemodialysis centre proposal. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/popovae-and-pore-councils-approve-budget-revisions-and-local-projects ### 2026-07-14: Rijeka advances costly restoration of Tito's historic yacht Galeb Rijeka issues a €500k+ tender for final repairs on Tito's yacht Galeb, aiming to open the museum by year‑end despite rising costs and mixed public opinion. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rijeka-launches-05-million-tender-to-finish-restoration-of-historic-galeb-museum-ship ### 2026-07-13: Hilton Costabella beach access dispute sparks political clash in Rijeka Marin Miletić claims Hilton Costabella illegally blocks Rijeka’s public beach, citing evidence and a Ministry document; minister Oleg Butković warns the concession could be revoked if charges are proven. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-city-krievci-seeks-eu-funding-for-geothermal-heating-project ### 2026-07-12: Croatia launches elevator installation bids and heating substation replacement plan Croatia's ministries advance building upgrades, receiving 36 elevator installation bids and planning the replacement of hundreds of direct heating sub‑stations, with costs shared between the state, local bodies 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-launches-elevator-installation-bids-and-heating-substation-replacement-plan ### 2026-07-11: Gordan Jandroković tours new Cavtat primary school, highlights €23 million EU‑funded investment Croatian Parliament speaker Gordan Jandroković visited Cavtat’s new €23 million primary school, lauding EU‑funded development and future state support for regional projects. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gordan-jandrokovi-tours-new-cavtat-primary-school-highlights-23-million-eufunded-investment ### 2026-07-10: Dubrovnik region advances EU‑funded concert hall and school projects Dubrovnik and Cavtat launch major EU‑funded projects: a concert hall on Preparandija and a €23 million school with a sports hall, boosting regional cultural and educational infrastructure. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dubrovnik-region-advances-eufunded-concert-hall-and-school-projects ### 2026-07-10: EU and Croatia Allocate Billions to Advance AI Infrastructure Croatia redirects €39 million of EU recovery funds to build AI computing capacity, while the EU rolls out an €80 billion tech investment programme to strengthen AI, biotech, clean and defence technologies. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-and-croatia-allocate-billions-to-advance-ai-infrastructure ### 2026-07-10: Dubrovnik and Zadar Launch Major Heritage Restoration Projects Dubrovnik completes a €4.4 m overhaul of Park Gradac, while Zadar moves to restore its medieval wall, with design work underway and funding secured. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dubrovnik-and-zadar-launch-major-heritage-restoration-projects ### 2026-07-08: Croatia Boosts Earthquake Reconstruction, Thousands of Homes Finished Croatia's reconstruction after the Zagreb and Petrinja quakes has completed thousands of homes and buildings, with €4.91 bn spent, while opposition warns of defects in some rebuilt structures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-boosts-earthquake-reconstruction-thousands-of-homes-finished ### 2026-07-06: Croatian regions secure €28 million in loans for schools, sports halls and senior centre Croatian local governments have secured roughly €28 million in loans to fund school upgrades, new sports halls and a senior centre, with fixed-rate, multi‑year repayment plans. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-regions-secure-28-million-in-loans-for-schools-sports-halls-and-senior-centre ### 2026-07-04: Croatia allocates €20 million for local sports infrastructure in 2027 Croatia’s Ministry of Tourism and Sport set aside €20 million for 2027 local sports projects, opening a public call for municipalities in six facility categories; deadline 31 Aug. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-earmarks-20-million-for-local-sports-facilities-in-2027 ### 2026-07-03: Croatia allocates EU recovery funds for school rebuilds and sports halls Croatia is using EU recovery funds to rebuild dozens of schools and sports halls, from a €2.5 million gym in Korođ to multi‑million‑euro projects in Zagreb, Čakovec, Zadar and Sinj. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-government-allocates-29-million-for-zagreb-county-school-upgrades-and-opens-new-sports-hall ### 2026-07-03: Croatian PM Andrej Plenković opens sports hall in minority village Korođ Croatian PM Andrej Plenković opened a €2.5 million sports hall in the Hungarian‑minority village Korođ and the Creative Children’s Centre “Idem” in Ernestinovo, funded by government programmes and cross‑border 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-pm-andrej-plenkovi-opens-sports-hall-in-minority-village-koro ### 2026-07-03: EU Grants €109 million to Croatia for geothermal and heat‑pump upgrades EU funds €109 million for Croatia’s geothermal and heat‑pump projects, plus €35 million for modernising refrigeration, as part of a €2.5 billion Modernisation Fund for 11 low‑income EU states. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-grants-109-million-to-croatia-for-geothermal-and-heatpump-upgrades ### 2026-06-30: Donja Dubrava opens Palace of Međimurska popevka cultural centre A new cultural centre, the Palace of Međimurska popevka, opened in Donja Dubrava, Croatia, housed in the restored 150‑year‑old Hirschler palace and funded largely by EU money to celebrate the region’s UNESCO‑​l 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donja-dubrava-opens-palace-of-meimurska-popevka-cultural-centre ### 2026-06-30: Darda Primary School Expansion Funded by EU and Croatia's Recovery Plan Darda primary school in Croatia is being upgraded with €1.8 M EU‑funded construction, adding classrooms for special‑needs pupils and new facilities to enable single‑shift schooling. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/darda-primary-school-expansion-funded-by-eu-and-croatias-recovery-plan ### 2026-06-28: Governor's Palace in Rijeka completes €8.2 million energy renovation Rijeka’s Governor's Palace museum completed an €8.2 million energy upgrade, funded by EU NextGeneration EU, cutting energy use by 72 % and emissions by 83 % while preserving 70 000 artefacts. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/governors-palace-in-rijeka-completes-82-million-energy-renovation ### 2026-06-28: Croatia moves forward with school construction projects funded by national recovery plan Croatia’s Zadar and Dubrovnik cities advance school construction projects, funded by €8.8 M and €10.09 M from the national recovery plan, with public tenders for procurement and equipment. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-moves-forward-with-school-construction-projects-funded-by-national-recovery-plan ### 2026-06-26: Croatian coastal towns restore beach barriers after public protests Zadar reinstates a beach safety fence in Lučica after public outcry, while Dubrovnik‑area officials demand a pedestrian corridor and barrier adjustments at Kupari to ensure safe beach access. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-coastal-towns-restore-beach-barriers-after-public-protests ### 2026-06-25: Jesenje and Petrovsko Municipalities Announce Multi‑Million Infrastructure Projects Jesenje and Petrovsko marked municipal days by unveiling multi‑million euro infrastructure plans, including school construction, fire‑station upgrades, tourist routes and EU‑funded projects. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jesenje-and-petrovsko-municipalities-announce-multimillion-infrastructure-projects ### 2026-06-23: Croatian towns revamp waterfronts and expand beach accessibility Poreč finished a waterfront renovation with new stone paving and ramps, while Rijeka allocated €20,000 for disability assistants at Kostanj beach and denied a developer’s extension request for the Žabica site. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-towns-revamp-waterfronts-and-expand-beach-accessibility ### 2026-06-22: Croatia Completes Major Heritage Renovations in Poreč and Zagreb Croatia completes energy‑focused renovation of Poreč’s Zavičajni Museum and initiates a €50,000 design tender to restore the earthquake‑damaged Mirogoj mortuary in Zagreb. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-completes-major-heritage-renovations-in-pore-and-zagreb ### 2026-06-19: Croatian municipal councils approve reconstruction funding and raise cemetery fees Croatian municipalities Budinščina and Sveti Juraj na Bregu approved funding for local reconstruction projects and increased cemetery fees, respectively. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-municipal-councils-approve-reconstruction-funding-and-raise-cemetery-fees ### 2026-06-18: Croatian towns Požega and Gospić approve multi‑million euro budgets for community projects Požega approved a €3.35 million loan for historic‑centre revitalisation and a school sports hall; Gospić allocated €395 k to sport, youth and community groups, nearly doubling 2023 spending. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-towns-poega-and-gospi-approve-multimillion-euro-budgets-for-community-projects ### 2026-06-18: Croatia funds €5.2 million school sports hall and primary school rebuild projects Croatia launches €2 million school sports hall in Donja Voća and €3.2 million primary school rebuild in Vela Luka, funded largely by EU recovery funds and local budgets. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-funds-52-million-school-sports-hall-and-primary-school-rebuild-projects ### 2026-06-16: Croatia upgrades Ludbreg library and Vinkovci gallery with EU and national funds Croatia renovates Ludbreg library (€5.6 m, EU‑funded) and Vinkovci gallery (€1.2 m, national‑recovery funded) into energy‑efficient, accessible cultural hubs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-upgrades-ludbreg-library-and-vinkovci-gallery-with-eu-and-national-funds ### 2026-06-16: Croatia boosts school and building energy upgrades with EU funds Croatia and Bosnia upgrade schools and buildings with EU‑backed funds, adding energy‑efficient renovations, new equipment and tackling local waste‑management issues. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-towns-kotoriba-and-linjan-address-waste-disposal-and-municipal-upgrades ### 2026-06-16: Croatian Municipalities Sign Funding Agreements for Local Infrastructure Projects Otok and Pisarovina municipalities in Croatia signed funding agreements to improve local infrastructure, including cemeteries, waste services, roads, and market facilities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-municipalities-sign-funding-agreements-for-local-infrastructure-projects ### 2026-06-13: Strahoninec and Podstrana celebrate municipal days with school and sports facility projects Croatian towns Strahoninec and Podstrana marked municipal days, unveiling new school facilities, sports halls and other infrastructure projects to boost local education and recreation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/strahoninec-and-podstrana-celebrate-municipal-days-with-school-and-sports-facility-projects ### 2026-05-29: Croatian and Slovenian municipal councils approve multi‑million infrastructure projects Municipal councils in Strahoninec, Croatia and Zagorje, Slovenia approved multi‑million projects for waste management and local infrastructure, respectively. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-and-slovenian-municipal-councils-approve-multimillion-infrastructure-projects --- Cite as: Croatia expands €38M renewable grants, local projects grow. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-municipal-infrastructure-upgrades