JemsAt the Firefighting Center “VACETRAS” in Vučevica near Split, the kick-off conference of the strategic EU project “INEREP” was held today, the project is being implemented within the framework of the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Croatia–Bosnia and Herzegovina–Montenegro. Its goal is to improve the cross-border emergency and fire response system and increase the safety of citizens and the environment.
The conference was attended by Ante Šošić, Deputy of County Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County; Tarik Džajić, Assistant Director of the Directorate for European Integration of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Miloš Marković, Director General of the Directorate for European Territorial Cooperation of the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro; Marko Opančar, Head of the Sector for Coordination of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes and Macro-Regional Strategies of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia; and Hristo Hristov, Head of the Political Team at the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia.
The total value of the “INEREP” project is 14.8 million euro, of which 85% is co-financed by EU funds. The lead partner of the project is Split-Dalmatia County, which will coordinate the activities and implementation of the project with five other partners from the three countries. The project will be implemented in border regions of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, and will create the conditions necessary for more effective responses to increasingly frequent fires caused by climate change.
As part of “INEREP” a joint action plan for cooperation in crisis situations in cross-border areas will be developed. In addition, construction will continue the regional firefighting training center in Vučevica, whose first phase was funded under the “FIRESPIL” project, financed through the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme. Modern firefighting and rescue equipment will also be procured.
“INEREP” is one of four strategic projects being implemented within the Interreg Croatia–Bosnia and Herzegovina–Montenegro Programme. Within this programme, around 107 million euro has been secured for the 2021–2027 period for projects that improve the quality of life for citizens in various areas. This clearly demonstrates the benefits of EU membership and contributes to friendly cooperation among the three countries. So far, 33 regular projects and four strategic projects have been contracted. During 2026, selected projects submitted under the second regular call will also be contracted.
