SCIENTIFIC INFRA PLATFORM (O-ZIP) (SPL-20140375)

The project proposal includes the reconstruction of the existing Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI) facilities in Zagreb and Sibenik, at the Research Station Martinska including construction of new research facilities in Zagreb, the acquisition of equipment necessary for scientific research and a reorganisation of the institute in four operational platforms.

The project aims to transform the RBI into a modern, national and regional research infrastructure hub, which will be able to attract and maintain talents from the region. The concentration and prioritisation of the existing research activities at the RBI into four conceptual units is expected to stimulate cross-disciplinary science. The project integrates investments that address infrastructural and organisational deficiencies of RBI, optimising available expertise and existing physical infrastructure to internal and external demand. The implementation of the project will enable RBI to conduct research activities of national and wider regional strategic interest, which will have the potential to generate social benefits and improve the quality of life of society in the long term.

The project concerns the reconstruction of the existing Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI) facilities in Zagreb and Sibenik, at the Research Station Martinska including construction of new research facilities in Zagreb, the acquisition of equipment necessary for scientific research and a reorganisation of the institute in 4 operational platforms. The Project addresses a clearly defined market failure and it supports investments in the infrastructure of a leading Croatian research organisation for which the markets fail to provide adequate funds because of knowledge spillovers, which reduce the appropriability of economic returns. The Project will provide RBI with more space for research activities, improve the functionality of existing facilities, and will replace outdated technological equipment, in order to allow RBI's to expand its research portfolio and to retain and attract talent.

The EIB's involvement will facilitate the absorption of EU structural funds by securing national co-financing contributions of EU funded projects in Croatia. The EIB financing provides an essential financial contribution in the form of financial advantage (long tenor), that is currently not available in the market.

The project is part of Croatia's Operational Programme (OP) Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014- 2020 and its impacts were captured in the related strategic environmental assessment, in line with SEA Directive 2001/42/EC, enacted into the Croatian Law. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) in line with the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU was also undertaken.

The Bank will require the Promoter to ensure that contracts for implementation of the project have been and/or will be tendered in accordance with the applicable EU procurement legislation, Directive 2014/24/EU as well as or Directive 89/665/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the EU, as and where required.