Međimurje County invests a record 170.000 euros in support for innovative and inclusive tourism

The press conference presented a public call for support to citizens for tourism events, as well as a competition for the award of non-refundable grants in tourism, with which Međimurje County is investing a record amount of 170.000 euros in the development of tourism this year.

The County is allocating 70.000 euros to co-finance tourist events, and is conducting a public call for applications. Međimurje County Tourist Board These applications are made via their websites, while the Međimurje County website features a competition for the award of grants in tourism, in which the largest amount of funds has been invested so far - 100.000 euros.

bathrobe Matija Posavec in the introduction, he referred to the intensity of the grants with which the County supports citizens and which extend to all areas of activity. 

"Today we are presenting a new support package for our citizens who are involved in some of the tourism activities and we are encouraging their growth and further development of tourism with a total of 170.000 euros, which is the largest amount so far. If we add to this the current call for entrepreneurs under our economic support program worth 30.000 euros, and the support package for farmers and associations from this area, we arrive at a figure of almost 600.000 euros in support for citizens in this part of the year alone", the prefect emphasized.

"After the sustainability campaign, our tourism is undergoing an upgrade in a new – inclusive direction, the message of which resonated strongly across Europe at the recent awards ceremony at the Berlin tourism fair, where our promotional film about inclusive tourism in Međimurje won two awards. I invite tourism workers, as well as entrepreneurs and farmers, to apply for current calls and tenders and to be empowered by county support.", said Posavec, recalling that during the summer in Međimurje, two major projects worth almost 13 million euros are being completed, new interpretation centers - the revitalized Feštetic Castle in Pribislavac and the Palace of the Međimurje Singers in Donja Dubrava.

Director of the Međimurje County Tourist Board Rudi Grula He pointed out that the Tourist Board, in addition to the county funds allocated to support events, will additionally assist beneficiaries in promoting events and reminded that applications are being accepted until April 10th.

"It is important that every event, every manifestation that citizens report, in addition to the current criteria based on the principles of ecological and social sustainability, also includes accessibility for visitors regardless of their age, mobility difficulties, etc.", said Grula.

Also, until April 10th, applications for non-reimbursable grants in tourism are accepted, which was explained in more detail by Marko Puškadija, head of the Tourism Department.

"Međimurje County has been implementing this type of support for 15 years with the aim of improving accommodation capacities and encouraging the development of innovative content, and so far we have co-financed 210 projects with more than 600.000 euros. This year, the criteria also emphasize sustainable development, inclusion, the promotion of cultural, historical and traditional values, and the creation of new tourism products that promote our County as a desirable destination.", Puskadija revealed.

The public tender for the award of non-refundable grants in tourism in Međimurje County for 2026 opened on March 11, 2026. As stated, this year the county is awarding a record 170.000 euros in grants with the aim of improving accommodation capacities and developing innovative and inclusive tourism content. 

Key information about the competition

• Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted from March 11, 2026 to April 10, 2026 (for the primary part of the competition). Certain sources indicate the possibility of receiving applications until November 15, 2026, depending on the category.
• Total fund: 170.000 euros are available.

Main objectives:

• Improving accommodation capacities.
• Development of innovative and inclusive tourism products (accessibility to everyone regardless of age or movement).
• Promoting the principles of ecological and social sustainability and traditional values.

Users: Citizens, entrepreneurs and associations operating in the Međimurje County area.

Amount of support: Through parallel calls, entrepreneurs can receive amounts of up to 2.000 euros per project. 

Method of application and documentation:

The procedure has been simplified to require minimal documentation. Applicants need to fill out a simple form available HERE.

On the county network pages was published and call for entrepreneurs for small grants for financial support and instruments, under which an individual amount of up to 2000 euros can be realized, and which remains open until the funds are spent or until December 1, 2026 at the latest, pointed out the Head of the Administrative Department for Economy, Agriculture and Tourism, Darko Radanović.