Zagreb, 25 May 2026 – Plaques were ceremonially awarded to the recipients of the 13th INA Green Belt programme, symbolically marking the beginning of the implementation of 10 projects that contribute to greening and creating more pleasant urban spaces across Croatia. The plaques represent recognition for projects that were previously selected for co-financing as part of this year’s programme.
This year, 10 projects were selected.
- Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, Karlovac Station: Green Belt of Slunj: Karlovac cave without waste – The project includes the removal of at least 2.5 tonnes of waste from the cave and the protection of karst underground areas and water systems.
- County Special Hospital Insula: Green protective belt of Insula hospital – Planting 200 saplings along the hospital perimeter will reduce noise and improve the microclimate, while additionally enhancing patient privacy.
- Citizen Energy Association Zeleni Prelog: South under the canopies -The project creates green corridors in a new neighbourhood to mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and enhance quality of life.
- Public Institution Lokrum Reserve: The Green heart of Lokrum – Planting native species will increase biodiversity and create shade, alongside educational content and the inclusion of pupils with developmental disabilities.
- Primary School “Mijat Stojanović”: Stork’s courtyard of knowledge – The school courtyard will be transformed into a green educational space with garden beds, a sensory garden, and an outdoor classroom.
- Social Cooperative Humana Nova: Green trace of Humana Nova – The project involves reforestation of a degraded area, planting 150 trees, and educational workshops with the involvement of the local community.
- Primary School Đakovački Selci: FORESTionica – An edible forest garden will be established at the school, combining learning, biodiversity, and hands-on student work.
- Technical School Rijeka: Green School Garden – The garden will be improved with raised beds, a rainwater harvesting system, and solar lighting, with active student participation.
- Association Od Uha Do Uha: Green belt from ear to ear – The project will restore habitats by planting trees and shrubs for pollinators and revitalise traditional landscapes.
- Association Argonauta: Mature and green – The project creates new green zones that provide shade in Vodice, alongside education and the involvement of different generations in greening public spaces.
“Cities have increasingly become heat hotspots, and this is a challenge we can no longer ignore. That is why we decided to co-finance solutions that contribute to cooling micro-locations, with a particular emphasis on innovation. We were looking for smart greening, the creation of shade where it is most needed, and solutions that are long-term sustainable and self-sustaining. At INA, we see this as an investment in sustainability, not just financial support. It is also important to us that INA volunteers are involved in implementation, adding extra value to the projects,” said Tamara Karagity, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing at INA.
The INA Green Belt programme has been running continuously since 2014 and is now one of the longest-standing corporate social responsibility programmes in Croatia focused on environmental protection and community development.
Since the programme’s launch, 179 projects have been co-financed across Croatia, with a total value exceeding 550,000 euros. Through these projects, more than 26,000 seedlings of trees, flowers, and shrubs have been planted, enough for a tree-lined avenue longer than 15 kilometres, while more than 400,000 square metres of space have been greened, equivalent to more than 56 football pitches.