The Government has dismissed Ivan Bota from the head of the Directorate for Regional Development

The Government of the Republic of Croatia has issued a Decision on the dismissal of the Director of the Directorate for Regional Development in the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, by which Ivan Bota is dismissed from that position as of September 8, 2026, due to the expiration of his mandate. The decision was signed by the Prime Minister mr. sc. Andrej Plenković in Zagreb on September 14, 2026, and was published in the Official Gazette (Narodne novine) no. 102/2026 under number 1238.

The dismissal is part of the regular personnel cycle within state administration bodies, in which directors of directorates are appointed and dismissed by a decision of the Government. The Directorate for Regional Development is a key body for the preparation and implementation of regional development programs and for the management of funds from European Union funds intended for the balanced development of Croatian regions.

Legal Basis and Official Data

The decision was made based on the Government’s authority to appoint and dismiss heads of directorates in state administration bodies. The official identifiers of the document are Class: 022-03/26-03/63 and Registry Number: 50301-05/31-26-2, and the document bears the serial number 1238 in the content of issue 102/2026 of the Official Gazette.

• Decision-making body: Government of the Republic of Croatia
• Signatory: Prime Minister mr. sc. Andrej Plenković
• Date of issuance: September 14, 2026
• Date of dismissal: September 8, 2026
• Reason: expiration of mandate

Role of the Directorate for Regional Development

The Directorate for Regional Development, within the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, is responsible for the formulation and implementation of regional development policy, monitoring regional development programs, and coordinating the use of funds from European structural and investment funds. Its work directly affects the distribution of funds intended for less developed counties and areas with special development difficulties.

The dismissal of the director due to the expiration of the mandate is a regular procedure that ensures rotation in leadership positions within the state administration. A new Director of the Directorate for Regional Development will be appointed in accordance with the prescribed procedure, and until then, the existing structure of the directorate will carry out the duties.

Significance for EU Fund Beneficiaries

For local and regional self-government units and beneficiaries of European Union funds, a change at the head of the Directorate for Regional Development may mean adaptation to a new way of working and communication with the ministry. Continuity in the implementation of contracted projects and regional development programs remains a priority, and the procedures for awarding and monitoring funds are carried out according to established rules.

The dismissal of Ivan Bota from the position of Director of the Directorate for Regional Development was published in the Official Gazette (Narodne novine), the official gazette of the Republic of Croatia, number 102/2026 dated September 14, 2026, Decision number 1238 (Class: 022-03/26-03/63, Registry Number: 50301-05/31-26-2).