61 million euros to be invested in Croatia’s economy and society through EU’s cohesion policy

The investment will go towards the development and implementation of innovative practices that strengthen society

The European Commission has announced its approval for an investment worth 61 million euros in the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI) in Zagreb, Croatia. The funds will allow the Institute to grow and develop, expanding the range of its activities and substantially bolstering its capabilities in research and development.

Reaching for solutions through innovation

The 61 million euros are to be provided from the European Regional Development Fund, an integral part of the EU’s Cohesion policy. They will be distributed through the  “Open Scientific Infrastructural Platforms for Innovative Applications in Economy and Society” project which will modernize, expand and bolster the Ruđer Bošković Institute. Furthermore, the funding will allow it to strengthen its research capabilities which would, in turn, create more opportunities for innovation.

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, stated that “Thanks to this EU project, the institute will become more competitive and will increase its collaboration with local and international research partners and business stakeholders. Given the global challenges we face, it is essential to invest in European research institutes and projects to solve societal problems in sectors like health, food and the environment.”

Thanks to its new capacity and capabilities, the Institute will be able to train a brand-new generation of students and academics. Not only that, but additional funds will also create more opportunities for scientists and scholars to return or remain in Croatia, thus working on solving parts of the brain drain problem that have been plaguing the country for years.

Finally, thanks to these benefits, Croatia will be able to increase its economic output and its scientists and innovators will be able to focus on areas that truly matter to society – such as climate change, the environment, AI and others.