Umag as shining example in the green transition

At the national level, environmental protection spending in Croatia increased by €248 million in 2024, and in this context, Umag achieved one of the biggest leaps - it allocated € 4.17 million, which is €3.43 million more than 2023. With an increase of 461.78%, Umag ranked among the cities with the largest rise in investments in this sector and positioned itself as the fifth-strongest city in per-capita spending, according to recently published analysis of budget execution data. In 2024, the City made a major step forward, channeling budget funds into projects that simultaneously improved the quality of life and preserved important resources. The most significant among these projects is undoubtedly the remediation of the closed non-hazardous waste landfill Donji Picudo. The project, worth €2.46 million (€2.09 million of which was secured through EU grants) permanently closed and environmentally revitalized an area of 30,000 square meters. The remediation included excavation and relocation of waste, installation of a final cover layer with drainage and sealing components, a storm water drainage system, and greening with grass, shrubs, and trees. Major progress has also been made in water and communal infrastructure. In the settlement of Crveni Vrh, as part of the EU-funded agglomeration project, 11.5 kilometers of new pipelines and six pumping stations were constructed, while more than two kilometers of old water mains were replaced. The value of the works on pipelines and pumping stations amounted to €3.4 million, while the pipe replacement cost nearly €680,000. A total of 16,000 square meters of roads were reconstructed, into which the city invested an additional €110,000, and foundations for new lighting worth €25,000 were installed. This finally resolved the long-standing problem of inadequate drainage, giving the settlement a more orderly and attractive appearance and significantly reducing pressure on the sea and coastline. Furthermore, in July 2025, the new city waterfront was opened, stretching nearly two kilometers, with a new coastal wall, sewage system, lighting, and urban furnishings. Landscaping is underway, including a citrus park, and the reconstruction of the promenade has been completed in parallel, rounding off the development of the entire Umag Bay. Greenery and climate adaptation are also in focus. During 2024, around 500 trees were planted, along with 44 pine trees, helping protect the soil from erosion and providing natural shade. These investments in greenery and the preservation of natural resources are complemented by investments in sustainable energy, completing the vision of an environmentally responsible city. The energy transition is supported through co-financing of household solar power plants. After the initial €60,000 allocated for this purpose were used up in just two months, the city secured an additional €100,000. Citizens can receive up to 40% support, or a maximum of €3,000 per project, and advisory assistance is provided throughout the entire process. Over the past year, Umag has once again demonstrated how investments in environmental protection can be transformed into projects that directly change the face of the city and the way its residents live. From the remediated landfill and newly built sewage systems to new promenades, green spaces, and the promotion of renewable energy, this series of initiatives makes this highly successful Istrian city an even more pleasant, safer, and more sustainably livable place.

A just energy transition is not just an ecological but also a social and economic necessity, the purpose of which is to build a sustainable and fairer society in the era of clean energy. The city of Umag is located within the County of Istria, which participates in the Just Energy Transition for Central Europe (JETforCE) project. The project will support the partner regions of Central Europe to digitally involve their citizens so that, through the use of digital tools, they can jointly design and implement the energy transition. The project idea is based on the principle that citizens need the opportunity to contribute to measures that affect their life, work, and opportunities in the context of the green energy transition. However, for quality inclusion of citizens in decision-making processes, they need to be provided with knowledge and appropriate information. During the three-year project, the JETforCE consortium plans to develop two new solution tools for the digital engagement of citizens in the creation and improvement of policies related to the green transition. JETforCE aims to improve local and regional energy planning, equipping public authorities and stakeholders with the knowledge and digital solutions needed to develop a just energy transition framework that will actively involve citizens, especially those from vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the goal is to analyze energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies through a socio-economic lens. The JETforCE project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and will be implemented from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026. The project value is € 2.37 million, with 80% co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund. In Istria County, activities are focused on raising awareness of the necessity of a just energy transition and involving citizens in policy-making processes. The pilot activities will encourage additional education, retraining of the workforce, and lifelong learning for scarce occupations in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.