TERRITORIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAMME AREA 1 TERRITORIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAMME AREA Table of content: 1. Executive summary ........................................................................................................................ 5 2. Methodology................................................................................................................................... 8 3. Analysis of current state, challenges and needs with potentials for development ................... 11 3.1. General analysis of the area - key indicators....................................................................... 11 3.2. Smarter Europe .................................................................................................................... 14 Description of current state in key analysis areas ...................................................................... 14 3.2.1. Research and innovation ............................................................................................. 14 a. Croatia: ......................................................................................................................... 14 b. Serbia: ........................................................................................................................... 15 c. Programme area level: ................................................................................................. 16 3.2.2. Digitisation of society ................................................................................................... 18 a. Croatia: ......................................................................................................................... 18 b. Serbia: ........................................................................................................................... 21 c. Programme area - best practice examples: ................................................................ 23 3.2.3. SME competitiveness ................................................................................................... 25 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 25 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 26 c. Programme area ........................................................................................................... 28 3.2.4. Skills for smart specialisation ...................................................................................... 32 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 33 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 34 c. Educating for skills ....................................................................................................... 36 3.2.5. Digital connectivity ...................................................................................................... 43 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 43 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 44 3.2.6. Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................ 45 3.3. Greener Europe .................................................................................................................... 47 Description of current state in key analysis areas ...................................................................... 47 3.3.1. Energy efficiency .......................................................................................................... 47 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 47 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 49 3.3.2. Renewable energy (RES) .............................................................................................. 50 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 50 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 52 3.3.3. Smart energy systems .................................................................................................. 54 3.3.4. Climate change adaptation ......................................................................................... 56 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 56 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 57 3.3.5. Sustainable water ........................................................................................................ 59 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 59 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 59 3.3.6. Circular economy ......................................................................................................... 61 2 TERRITORIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAMME AREA a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 61 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 62 3.3.7. Nature protection and biodiversity ............................................................................. 63 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 63 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 65 3.3.8. Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................ 69 3.4. Connected Europe ................................................................................................................ 71 Description of current state in key analysis areas ...................................................................... 71 3.4.1. Sustainable Trans European Transport Network ....................................................... 71 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 71 a. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 73 3.4.2. Sustainable transport .................................................................................................. 74 a. Croatia............................................................................................................................... 75 b. Serbia ................................................................................................................................ 76 3.4.3. Sustainable urban mobility ......................................................................................... 77 a. Croatia............................................................................................................................... 77 b. Serbia ................................................................................................................................ 79 3.4.4. Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................ 81 3.5. Social Europe ........................................................................................................................ 83 Description of current state in key analysis areas ...................................................................... 83 3.5.1. Labour market infrastructure ...................................................................................... 83 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 83 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 86 c. Regional level ............................................................................................................... 88 3.5.2. Education and training infrastructure ......................................................................... 94 a. Croatia .......................................................................................................................... 94 b. Serbia ............................................................................................................................ 94 c. Regional level ............................................................................................................... 96 3.5.3. Integration of marginalised communities, migrants and disadvantaged groups ..... 97