MINISTARSTVO GOSPODARSTVA

Their core work

Croatia's Ministry of Economy serves as the national authority responsible for transposing and implementing EU energy directives into Croatian law and practice. In H2020, they participate in Concerted Actions — structured EU-wide coordination mechanisms where member state ministries exchange best practices on implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive. They also engage in market surveillance activities, ensuring that energy-related products (appliances, heating systems, lighting) sold in Croatia comply with EU eco-design and energy labelling regulations.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Early participation (2016–2018) centred on foundational directive transposition and basic market surveillance for tyres, reflecting Croatia's relatively recent EU accession and the need to align national regulation with EU energy frameworks. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted toward enforcement and compliance of eco-design standards for specific product categories, alongside deeper policy work on decarbonisation, building energy efficiency, and financing mechanisms. This trajectory shows a ministry moving from "adopting the rules" to "enforcing and refining them."

Moving from regulatory adoption toward active enforcement and decarbonisation policy, suggesting growing institutional capacity and readiness for more ambitious energy transition projects.

How they like to work

Exclusively a participant — never a coordinator — which is typical for national ministries in Concerted Action projects where the EU designs the framework and member states contribute national perspectives. All 8 participations are in CSA (Coordination and Support Action) projects with large consortia, reflecting the ministry's role as a policy peer rather than a research driver. With 75 unique partners across 31 countries, they are well-connected across the EU member state network through these structured coordination mechanisms.

Connected to 75 unique partners across 31 countries, almost entirely through EU-wide Concerted Actions that by design include all member states. This gives them a pan-European network of energy ministries and national energy agencies rather than a research-driven partnership base.

What sets them apart

As Croatia's national ministry responsible for energy policy, they bring direct regulatory authority and national implementation experience — something no university or research institute can offer. For consortium builders, partnering with them provides genuine policy-level access and ensures project outcomes align with real national regulatory needs. They are particularly valuable in projects requiring member state buy-in, policy validation, or market surveillance coordination across the EU.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CA EED3
  Their largest funded project (EUR 60,025) and most recent, covering decarbonisation, building efficiency, and financing — signals the ministry's current policy priorities.
• EEPLIANT3
  Focused on hands-on enforcement of eco-design regulations across specific product categories (air conditioners, water heaters, ventilation), showing the ministry's operational market surveillance capacity.
• CA-RES4
  Supports implementation of the updated Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EC), positioning Croatia in the latest wave of EU renewable energy policy coordination.