Launching event of EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Croatia

The event formally introducing the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms 2014-2021 in Croatia took place in Split on 20 September 2021, and Minister of Justice and Public Administration Ivan Malenica presented projects in the field of justice

The Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period 2014-2021 represent a significant contribution to alleviating social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthening bilateral cooperation between our countries. In the previous programming period, 2009-2014, Croatia was given the opportunity to benefit from EUR 9.6 million. With the help of these funds, the Ministry of Justice implemented the project “Improving the quality and efficiency of the judicial system through infrastructure development and better management”, worth EUR 3.8 million, thus renovating and reconstructing the Karlovac Court building and improving the way cases are handled in Croatian courts. 

The current financial perspective will enable EUR 103.4 million to be used for numerous development projects. EUR 13 million is intended for investments in the judiciary. These funds are to be used for infrastructural investments, enhancement of e-services, improvement of the competencies of judges and strengthening human rights protection and public safety. 

Reconstruction of the Split Municipal Court building is the biggest project within the programme, with a total value of ca. EUR 9.9 million. What makes the project so important is not only new premises, but also better quality work conditions, accelerated procedures and better quality access to legal protection for citizens, especially for the most vulnerable groups in our society. 

Over HRK 140 million have been invested in the digitalisation of the judiciary over the past years. The e-Spis case management system has been upgraded, and e-Communication introduced in commercial, county and municipal courts as well as the High Commercial Court, the Supreme Court, in civil litigation, and soon in all administrative courts, too. 

“Improvement of the existing electronic services and implementation of new ones remains an imperative for the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, so the recommendations for improvements and the analysis of the use of e-services that we will receive from this project will be a significant contribution towards a better quality response to citizens' needs and awareness raising on the advantages of electronic services", said Minister Malenica. 

He highlighted the evaluation of judges’ performance under another project funded from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The analysis of the performance evaluation of judges will contribute to reviewing the methodology and adopting criteria which will increase the performance efficiency of judges. In cooperation with the Council of Europe, Croatian judges will have an opportunity for three 12-month secondments at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The secondments will enable judges to gain experience of work on the cases of the European Court of Human Rights as well as to enhance their professional competencies. 

Furthermore, Minister Malenica emphasized that the Croatian Probation Service, internationally recognised for its work, is marking its tenth anniversary this year. The project “Strengthening the protection of human rights and public safety through the improvement of the capacity of the Probation Service” will enable probation officers to perform their complex duties even better and to be better prepared for response to future challenges. 

The EEA and Norway Financial Mechanisms have provided the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration with a systematic support in implementing significant changes to the justice system and strengthening legal security. Owing to the EEA and Norway Grants, the Croatian judiciary will become more accessible, modern and efficient. 

The event was also attended by Ivan Lakoš, Head of the Independent Sector for Strategic Development and Projects, who presented the objectives and projects aimed at increasing the efficiency of the judiciary.

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