Characteristics of management during the life cycle of EU projects

Prije ulaska u Europsku Uniju (EU), Hrvatska se poput mnogih europskih zemalja nalazi u dubokoj gospodarskoj krizi. Iako bi se dalo raspravljati o pozitivnim i negativnim stranama ulaska u EU, činjenica je da će ulaskom u EU Hrvatskoj biti dostupni izdašni izvori financiranja odnosno bespovratnih sredstava. Bespovratna sredstva nisu poklon te će Hrvatska, da bi ih dobila, za njih morati kandidirati kvalitetne projekte. U tom smislu od velike je važnosti imati pripremljene projekte i ljude sposobne za njihovu prijavu i provedbu. S obzirom na veličinu, složenost i značaj takvih projekata za dionike, u njihovoj pripremi i provedbi nužno je primjenjivati metodologiju projektnog menadžmenta. Ovaj rad donosi kratak pregled EU fondova dostupnih Hrvatskoj prije i nakon ulaska u EU te nekih specifičnosti koje karakteriziraju menadžment EU projekata u odnosu na tradicionalne investicijske projekte. Cilj rada je na temelju teorijskog pristupa ukazati na nužnost primjene metodologije projektnog menadžmenta tijekom životnog ciklusa EU projekata.Before the forthcoming accession in the European Union (EU), Croatia, like many European countries, is going throughout serious economic crisis. Although it could be discussed about positive and negative aspects of accession in EU, the fact is that a generous amount of funding or grants will be available after the accession. Grants are not a gift, and Croatia will have to run quality projects to attain them, meaning that it is important to have prepared projects and competent people for their application and implementation. Considering the size, complexity and importance of these projects to stakeholders, it is necessary to apply the methodology of project management in their preparation and implementation. This article provides a brief overview of EU funds available to Croatia before and after joining the EU, and some particularities that characterize management of EU projects compared to traditional investment projects. The aim of this paper, based on theoretical approach, is to point the necessity of using the methodology of project management during the life cycle of EU projects