The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) opposes the ‘first come, first served’ principle in the allocation of EU funds, arguing that this principle undermines equality among craftsmen, especially those lacking equal resources for rapid application preparation. HOK proposes a temporary modality with fixed deadlines for submitting applications and evaluation of all applications received within the deadline. Craftsmen face challenges due to the complexity of calls, high participation requirements, and small investment sizes, which further hinder their participation in EU projects. HOK also emphasizes the importance of adapting calls to the capacities of micro and small enterprises and calls for changes to enable fairer access to funds for business improvement.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the inequality caused by the ‘first come, first served’ principle, highlighting how it disadvantages smaller craftsmen and micro-enterprises who lack resources to quickly prepare applications. They focus on the need for systemic changes to ensure fair access to EU funds and support for small businesses.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the issue factually, presenting the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts’ concerns about the principle and their proposal for a more equitable system with fixed deadlines. They balance the challenges faced by craftsmen with the administrative needs of the funding process.
Right: Right-leaning perspectives may stress the importance of efficiency and speed in fund allocation but acknowledge the concerns of craftsmen. They might emphasize the need for reforms that do not overly complicate the process but still provide opportunities for small businesses to compete.
