AmCham’s Proposal for EU Funding of Broadband Infrastructure

In its position paper, AmCham highlights the importance of continuing EU funding for the deployment of Very High Capacity Networks (VHCN) beyond 2027, particularly in rural, island and other areas where there is insufficient commercial interest in investment. Despite progress in the development of digital infrastructure, Croatia's rural coverage continues to lag behind the EU average, making it necessary to ensure continuity of public co-financing beyond the current funding programmes.

AmCham recommends including investment in VHCN infrastructure among Croatia's priorities for EU funding in the 2028–2034 programming period, in order to connect the remaining households in areas where market investment alone is insufficient. It also recommends basing project selection criteria on feasibility, sustainability, the required level of public support and the number of households gaining access to very high-capacity networks, without giving preferential treatment to any particular business model.

Furthermore, AmCham emphasizes the need to adapt implementation rules to actual conditions on the ground, including proportionate solutions for objective exceptions affecting individual addresses. It also recommends more systematic involvement of local self-government units, better use of existing local infrastructure and coordination of works to reduce deployment costs. In addition, it proposes allowing eligible and justified internal professional labour costs related to project implementation.

The proposed recommendations would contribute to more efficient use of public funds, an increased number of connected households and a reduced digital divide between urban and rural areas, while bringing Croatia closer to the EU's gigabit connectivity targets.

Read the position paper here.