National Development Strategy Croatia 2030: Roadmap for a Better Future

and the City of Zagreb, each with their respective government structures. 
Some of the very small 
structures have very limited capabilities to provide services. A lack of capacity is particularly notable with 
regard to the implementation of major infrastructure projects, but also in formulating well-designed initia-
tives on projects and programs that could lead to stronger and faster improvements in various aspects of 
local and regional business environments and citizens’ quality of life. 
147.
The impact of
EU funds, and of the EU policies behind those funds, on improving the regions’ 
competitiveness is still limited. 
The most crucial and immediate goals for which
 
EU funds should be used 
are those aiming to support stronger private investments in lagging areas and to improve regions’ connec-
tivity and human capital. However, to secure a long-lasting success, EU funding needs to become highly 
incorporated into well-developed national and regional policy planning and implementation systems that 
will provide both general and tailor-made solutions to satisfy regions’ needs and exploit emerging oppor-
tunities. 
C.
Ensuring environmental sustainability 
148.
Croatia has a strong national interest to promote sustainable production and consumption and 
to ensure a high level of environmental protection, prevention of pollution and reduction in energy 
intensity of the economy.
Croatia needs to ensure the preservation of its natural areas and their protection 
system, both for environmental, climate and economic reasons. Namely, high dependence on tourism, 
which is mainly based on the natural beauty of the country, and obligations to meet EU requirements in 
this regard are only illustrative examples of the importance of an environmentally sustainable growth 
model.
149.