Unbalanced development of individual areas in Croatia is known for a while. Act on Regional Development of the Republic of Croatia has been introduced quite recently (first version in 2009, and current version in 2014), however, other legal solution for defining specific areas and relevant measures were implemented previously.
Those "early" legal solution partially followed modern concept of regional development - specific areas were recognized and specific measures created (as an opposite to older approach which foreseen same measures for all lagging areas). Lack of these approaches was that the Acts included list of areas which was not revised even after some social-economic changes. Also, measures designed for local self-government units were simplified (for example only financial) and in some cases there were no appropriate monitoring of development impact. Also, after introduction of assisted ares by Act of Regional Development, some overlaps were created and number of units which should be supported increased significantly.
New Act on Regional Development prescribes possible solution for these problems and unbalances - it determines assisted areas based on objective socio-ecoonomic indicators, but in the same time allows possibility for identification of specific measures for areas with specific development issues.
At the time being, other acts related to specific areas are still in force. All of them were amended for several times, partially due to transfer of some provisions to other legal acts.
Those "early" legal solution partially followed modern concept of regional development - specific areas were recognized and specific measures created (as an opposite to older approach which foreseen same measures for all lagging areas). Lack of these approaches was that the Acts included list of areas which was not revised even after some social-economic changes. Also, measures designed for local self-government units were simplified (for example only financial) and in some cases there were no appropriate monitoring of development impact. Also, after introduction of assisted ares by Act of Regional Development, some overlaps were created and number of units which should be supported increased significantly.
New Act on Regional Development prescribes possible solution for these problems and unbalances - it determines assisted areas based on objective socio-ecoonomic indicators, but in the same time allows possibility for identification of specific measures for areas with specific development issues.
At the time being, other acts related to specific areas are still in force. All of them were amended for several times, partially due to transfer of some provisions to other legal acts.
Act on areas of special state concern
Currently valid Act on areas of special state concern entered in force in 2008, repealing former Act on areas of special state concern adopted in 1996. Most provision of current Act will be out of force after adoption of newly proposed Act on assited areas prepared in 2018.
By this documents additional rights are given to natural and legal persons situated in specific areas with aim of achieving more balanced territorial development, fostering demographic and economic growth, finalization of reconstruction programme and return of population and ensuring housing. After several amendments, text of the Act mostly contains provision related to providing housing.
There are three groups of areas of special state concern:
One of the difference from other areas determined by legal act is that the status of area of special state concern can be assigned to individual settlements, and not only to municipalities and towns.
Act on areas of special state concern and related amendments can be downloaded from the Official Gazette 86/08, 57/11, 51A/13, 148/13, 76/14, 147/14 and 18/15
Previous Act on areas of special state concern is also available in Official Gazette No. 44/96, 57/96, 124/97, 78/99, 73/00, 87/00, 127/00, 94/01, 88/02, 26/03 – revised text, 42/05 and 90/05.
Unofficial revised Croatian text of the Act is available in following documents:
Currently valid Act on areas of special state concern entered in force in 2008, repealing former Act on areas of special state concern adopted in 1996. Most provision of current Act will be out of force after adoption of newly proposed Act on assited areas prepared in 2018.
By this documents additional rights are given to natural and legal persons situated in specific areas with aim of achieving more balanced territorial development, fostering demographic and economic growth, finalization of reconstruction programme and return of population and ensuring housing. After several amendments, text of the Act mostly contains provision related to providing housing.
There are three groups of areas of special state concern:
- First group - territories of municipalities and towns occupied during Homeland war situated directly next to the state border with town/municipal seat placed no more than 15 kilometers by air from the state border and with no more than 5,000 of inhabitants according to the Census 1991, as well as all towns, municipalities and settlements in Croatian Danube region
- Second group - territories of municipalities, towns and settlements occupied during Homeland war if they are not classified as the First group
- Third group - territories of municipalities and towns assessed as lagging areas in Croatia based on three criteria: economic, structural or demographic
One of the difference from other areas determined by legal act is that the status of area of special state concern can be assigned to individual settlements, and not only to municipalities and towns.
Act on areas of special state concern and related amendments can be downloaded from the Official Gazette 86/08, 57/11, 51A/13, 148/13, 76/14, 147/14 and 18/15
Previous Act on areas of special state concern is also available in Official Gazette No. 44/96, 57/96, 124/97, 78/99, 73/00, 87/00, 127/00, 94/01, 88/02, 26/03 – revised text, 42/05 and 90/05.
Unofficial revised Croatian text of the Act is available in following documents:
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Act on reconstruction and development of the City of Vukovar
Act on reconstruction and development of City of Vukovar was adopted in 2001. This document prescribes action to accelerate reconstruction and development, obligation to adopt Plan and programme of reconstruction and development, establishment of Fund for reconstruction and development of the City of Vukovar and additional incentives related to business fostering, scholarships, renting housing facilities to persons with relevant education and professions and possibilities of providing housing.
Act on reconstruction and development and corresponding amendments are available in Official Gazette 44/01, 90/05, 80/08, 38/09, 148/13.
Unofficial revised text in Croatian can be downloaded from this page:
Act on reconstruction and development of City of Vukovar was adopted in 2001. This document prescribes action to accelerate reconstruction and development, obligation to adopt Plan and programme of reconstruction and development, establishment of Fund for reconstruction and development of the City of Vukovar and additional incentives related to business fostering, scholarships, renting housing facilities to persons with relevant education and professions and possibilities of providing housing.
Act on reconstruction and development and corresponding amendments are available in Official Gazette 44/01, 90/05, 80/08, 38/09, 148/13.
Unofficial revised text in Croatian can be downloaded from this page:
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Act on hilly-mountainous areas
Hilly-mountainous areas in the Republic of Croatia were defined by special act in 2002 and include 45 municipalities and towns. Intentions of this Act are fostering demographic renewal, stimulating immigration and creating conditions for better utilization of natural and other economic resources in order to achieve economic development, simultaneously preserving biological and landscape diversity, resolving social conditions and economic development and growth in more balance manner.
Avoiding of overlaps with other legislation was also taken into consideration. As a consequence, local units situated on islands and ones with the status of area of special state concern could not obtain status of hilly-mountainous areas. Additional limitation were related to position along the coast, population density and incomes of local budgets. Programme for sustainable development of hilly-mountainous areas has been foreseen within the Act, but Programme itself has never been prepared.
Incentives from this Act includes right to collect forest fruits, privileges for renting agricultural and forest land, hunting or fishing areas and tax relives. Following several amendments, significant part of provisions were deleted. Some of actions suitable for hilly-mountainous areas are expected to be design within future programmes stipulated in Act on regional development of RoC or other documents.
Act on hilly-mountainous areas with its amendments can be found in Official Gazette
12/02, 32/02, 117/03, 42/05, 90/05, 80/08, 148/13 and 147/14.
Unofficial revised text of Act in Croatian is available at this page:
Hilly-mountainous areas in the Republic of Croatia were defined by special act in 2002 and include 45 municipalities and towns. Intentions of this Act are fostering demographic renewal, stimulating immigration and creating conditions for better utilization of natural and other economic resources in order to achieve economic development, simultaneously preserving biological and landscape diversity, resolving social conditions and economic development and growth in more balance manner.
Avoiding of overlaps with other legislation was also taken into consideration. As a consequence, local units situated on islands and ones with the status of area of special state concern could not obtain status of hilly-mountainous areas. Additional limitation were related to position along the coast, population density and incomes of local budgets. Programme for sustainable development of hilly-mountainous areas has been foreseen within the Act, but Programme itself has never been prepared.
Incentives from this Act includes right to collect forest fruits, privileges for renting agricultural and forest land, hunting or fishing areas and tax relives. Following several amendments, significant part of provisions were deleted. Some of actions suitable for hilly-mountainous areas are expected to be design within future programmes stipulated in Act on regional development of RoC or other documents.
Act on hilly-mountainous areas with its amendments can be found in Official Gazette
12/02, 32/02, 117/03, 42/05, 90/05, 80/08, 148/13 and 147/14.
Unofficial revised text of Act in Croatian is available at this page:
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It is interensting to compare hilly-mountainous areas to mountainous areas defined by Ministry of Agriculture related to natural constrains for agricultural production - Additional publication and soruces
Act on Islands
Act on Islands was adopted in 1999. In case of islands, there was no need to design methodology to determine the specific areas - islands were already defined by nature and therefore specific.
Act specified two development groups in which Croatian Island and semi-island Pelješac were classified. Provision of the Act contain details on: preparation of Programme for sustainable development of islands and groups of islands, connectivity issue, economic development and incentives (such as Croatian Island Product), preparation of state programmes for island development by responsible central state administration bodies and other supporting measures (related to renting, water supply...).
Act on Island with its amendments is available in Official Gazette 34/99, 149/99, 32/02 and 33/06.
Unofficial revised text in Croatian is available at: http://digured.srce.hr/arhiva/263/33319/041926.pdf
Additional details are prescribed by provisions of subordinate legislation. These includes issues such as functioning of Committee for Islands, exemption for bridge tool, using the label "Croatian Island Product", free public island road transport, subventions for liquefied petroleum gas, water supply.
More about development of islands (in Croatian): https://razvoj.gov.hr/o-ministarstvu/regionalni-razvoj/otoci-i-priobalje/122
Proposal of new Act on Islands is prepared in 2018 and available here.
Act on Islands was adopted in 1999. In case of islands, there was no need to design methodology to determine the specific areas - islands were already defined by nature and therefore specific.
Act specified two development groups in which Croatian Island and semi-island Pelješac were classified. Provision of the Act contain details on: preparation of Programme for sustainable development of islands and groups of islands, connectivity issue, economic development and incentives (such as Croatian Island Product), preparation of state programmes for island development by responsible central state administration bodies and other supporting measures (related to renting, water supply...).
Act on Island with its amendments is available in Official Gazette 34/99, 149/99, 32/02 and 33/06.
Unofficial revised text in Croatian is available at: http://digured.srce.hr/arhiva/263/33319/041926.pdf
Additional details are prescribed by provisions of subordinate legislation. These includes issues such as functioning of Committee for Islands, exemption for bridge tool, using the label "Croatian Island Product", free public island road transport, subventions for liquefied petroleum gas, water supply.
More about development of islands (in Croatian): https://razvoj.gov.hr/o-ministarstvu/regionalni-razvoj/otoci-i-priobalje/122
Proposal of new Act on Islands is prepared in 2018 and available here.
Additional studies related to specific territories at EU level are available at:
EU documents on regional / territorial development
More about areas with specific natural restriction for agriculture: Additional publication and soruces
EU documents on regional / territorial development
More about areas with specific natural restriction for agriculture: Additional publication and soruces