The purpose of the call was to encourage SMEs to commercialise their innovative products or services exclusively in line with identified priority thematic areas and inter-sector topics of the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), the ministry said in a statement.
Based on the call for applications, a total of 169 project proposals were submitted, worth HRK 1.4 billion, with the grants sought in the amount of HRK 580.1 million.
Of that number, 112 project proposals were assessed as positive and eligible for EU funding in the amount of HRK 364.3 million, while their total value is 943.6 million, the ministry said, adding that nine more decisions on project proposals remained to be made after complaints were analysed and certain explanations were obtained from the applicants in question.
Minister Horvat said that support for innovative projects would eventually help increase exports and boost the competitiveness of the Croatian economy on the global market.