In the context of EU funding, public institutions play a key role in designing, applying for and implementing projects that contribute to community development and strengthening public services. However, although they are often the carriers of the largest development initiatives, in practice they face a number of challenges that can jeopardize the effectiveness and sustainability of projects. The question that is increasingly being asked is: how to bring the public sector to the level of drivers of European investments?
First of all, public institutions have a multiple role in EU projects: they can act as applicants, partners, beneficiaries of infrastructure investments, but also as administrative bodies responsible for managing funds. Project preparation requires not only an understanding of the call and tender documents, but also a deep knowledge of local needs, strategic documents and the ability to plan long-term impacts. In implementation, the challenges become even more complex: from budget and procurement management, through reporting and control, to ensuring the sustainability of results.
That is why the most common challenges faced by public institutions include:
- limited administrative capacity and overburdened existing staff
- insufficient experience in preparing tender documents and logical frameworks
- fragmented cooperation between departments, which makes planning and coordination difficult
- lack of knowledge of procurement procedures in line with EU rules
- unclearly defined indicators and methods of measuring results
- delays in implementation due to poor monitoring of dynamics and external risks
To mitigate these challenges, more and more institutions are turning to the systematic strengthening of project teams and the development of management competencies. Key solutions include the formation of internal departments or project units for the management of EU funds, which allows for greater focus and professional orientation on the implementation of complex projects. In parallel, there is an increasing need for continuous investment in the education of officials, especially in the areas of project management and public procurement. More successful institutions often develop standardized internal procedures and databases that enable the transfer of experience and reduce the risk of repeating mistakes. In addition, partnership cooperation with consulting companies that have proven experience in preparing and managing EU projects is increasingly used. The inclusion of the wider community and local stakeholders in the planning phase also brings added value, ensuring greater relevance of projects and increasing the chance of their long-term sustainability.
In Croatia, examples of good practice are most often related to cities and municipalities that have repeatedly participated in projects from the Operational Programmes "Competitiveness and Cohesion" and "Efficient Human Resources". Institutions that develop continuity in project development not only achieve better results, but also create a culture of strategic planning and accountability.
Also, the role of public institutions increasingly includes the preparation of territorial strategies, thematic action plans and pre-financing of their own projects, which further increases the need for financial and managerial maturity.
Public institutions play an irreplaceable role in the successful use of EU funds. However, without a clear strategy, empowered teams and ongoing training, they risk technical errors and implementation risks. This is why it is crucial to continuously invest in the capacities of people and systems.
