A Framework for the Selection of Projects at the County Level in Croatia

Abstract

According to the Law on Regional Development of the Republic of Croatia, counties are the bearers of regional development in their territories. Hence, the implementation of regional development policies should be based on county de[1]velopment plans, which act as core documents for the selection and implementa[1]tion of projects co-financed by the EU funds, ensuring the achievement of region[1]al and local development goals. As funds (both budgetary and non-refundable EU funds) are limited and the need for project implementation is significant, the bearers of regional development must credibly assess the most significant development projects and prioritise their implementation. This paper presents the methodology for the effective selection of development projects at the county level, which is also applicable at the local and national levels. The first precondition to a successful methodology was ensuring that all laws and bylaws were considered properly. The presented methodology is primarily based on the application of the mathematical method of weighted factors as the most appropriate method of multi-criteria decision-making. The basic characteristics of the applied method. A Framework for the Selection of Projects are related to determining and defining the sequence and scope of activities in the selection procedure. The emphasis is on the introduction of control points as well as on responsible persons and institutions for the implementation of each of the stages being evaluated. The proposed framework has been tested in practice and it has shown rather positive results, thus becoming an appropriate project selection framework for the public sector.