Category: News

URBANFLOODS: a new approach to flood management

Floods are no longer rare and exceptional events. In the Adriatic-Ionian region, climate change and accelerated urbanisation are leading to more frequent and intense flooding, especially in urban areas through which rivers and streams pass.

In order to respond to these challenges in a timely and systematic manner, within the IPA ADRION project URBANFLOODS Advanced computer models are being developed to help understand how water behaves before flooding occurs.

Understand floods before they occur

Modern flood management relies less and less on post-damage response and more and more on anticipation and preparation.

These are computer models that simulate the movement of water in rivers, cities and floodplains during heavy rainfall or high water levels. Real data is entered into the models, such as terrain relief, riverbed shape, rain intensity and the way of using space, in order to obtain realistic scenarios of possible floods.

On this basis, key questions can be answered:

• Where will the water spread?
• What will be the depth and speed of movement?
• Which parts of the city and infrastructure are most at risk?
• How can different protection measures affect the outcome?

It is important to emphasize that this is not an accurate forecast of future events, but rather a presentation of possible scenarios that help prepare and make decisions.

Why is it important for cities?

Cities are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Large asphalt surfaces reduce water absorption, and at the same time along the watercourses there are often residential, commercial and infrastructural facilities.

By transforming complex data into clear risk maps and flood scenarios, models help in:

• planning of early warning systems and emergency interventions;
• urban planning and development of space,
• design of protective measures,
• adaptation to climate change.

The aim is not to prevent floods, but to reduce damage and speed up recovery after them.

What does this mean for citizens and businesses?

Although it is a complex technology, its purpose is very specific: increase safety and reduce the impact of floods.

For citizens, this means better preparedness, more efficient alert systems and safer urban development.

For entrepreneurs, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, this means a lower risk of business interruption, property damage and long-term business consequences.

Regional cooperation through the URBANFLOODS project

In the project URBANFLOODS This approach forms part of the wider decision support system (DSS), developed by partners from eight countries in the Adriatic-Ionian region. Partners are working together to strengthen cities' flood resilience and preparedness for future risks. The aim is to turn complex data into clear and timely decisions that protect people, the economy and urban systems.

Models are tested in nine pilot areas, each with its own specificities, to ensure their applicability under different conditions. The results help local authorities and professional services to make timely and informed decisions.

Business start-ups and growth often raise the issue of financing the next stage of development. For companies considering entering the capital market, whether through a public offer of shares, the issuance of bonds or investments by venture and private capital funds, one of the biggest challenges is the assessment of their own readiness for such a step.

This is exactly the question that the program is answering. Sandbox RoadMarket, educational and simulation programme of the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (Hanfa), developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.

What is Sandbox PutMarket?

Sandbox PutThe market is designed as a safe, confidential and non-binding environment in which entrepreneurs can test their willingness to finance through capital markets.

It is a program that does not replace the actual market exit process, but allows companies to get a clear insight into their current position and potential further development steps before entering demanding and often costly procedures.

What does the program allow entrepreneurs to do?

Through participation in the program, companies receive a structured and expert assessment of their readiness for various forms of financing. This includes:

• IPO (public offering and listing of shares)
• Issuance of bonds
• Financing through venture capital and private equity funds (VC/PE)

The programme enables the simulation of key elements of these processes in a controlled environment, without legal effects and regulatory obligations.

In this way, entrepreneurs can understand what awaits them in the real process and identify areas that need to be further developed.

What do companies get from participating?

One of the key values of the program is Structured diagnostic report which includes:

• Assessment of readiness for individual forms of funding
• Identification of key areas for improvement
• concrete and proportionate recommendations for the way forward;

In addition, companies have the opportunity to work with professional partners who through the program provide informational and educational support and contribute to the quality of the assessment.

What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose of the programme is to provide companies with an objective insight into their current level of readiness for financing through capital markets and to identify potential areas for further development.

In this way, companies can make informed decisions before entering into more complex and demanding processes of preparation for market financing.

In other words, it is an opportunity to answer a key question: Is now the right time to enter the capital market and what needs to be done before that?

Who is the program for?

The scheme is intended for companies considering:

• Exchange Exit (IPO)
• Issuance of bonds
• Financing through VC/PE funds

It is particularly relevant for companies that are in the growth phase and are considering expanding their business through alternative sources of financing.

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More information about the program and how to apply is available here, and a detailed info leaflet for entrepreneurs download here.

Easier, faster and more digital business across the European Union.

Starting and expanding a business within the European Union today still means facing a number of different rules, procedures and administrative requirements. For entrepreneurs who want to grow beyond the borders of a single country, this often implies coping with 27 legal systems and dozens of different forms of companies, with additional costs, time and complexity.

He is trying to respond to these challenges. a new initiative of the European Commission, EU Inc. – a new, unified and optional legal framework that would allow entrepreneurs to start and develop their business across the European Union, with significantly less administration and faster procedures.

What is EU Inc. and why is it being introduced?

EU Inc. is an additional option for entrepreneurs. An optional form of company that would be available in all Member States of the European Union, but without abolishing existing national models. In other words, entrepreneurs could choose whether they want to operate under national rules or to benefit from a single European framework.

The reason for its introduction is quite clear. While Europe has a strong innovation potential, it is often difficult for companies to move from growth to expansion to international markets. In doing so, the diversity of the legal and administrative environment has proven to be one of the key obstacles.

EU Inc. was conceived as a response to this problem, an attempt to make business within the EU simpler, faster and more predictable.

What is changing for entrepreneurs?

The greatest value of EU Inc. is that it simplifies the key stages of business, from its establishment to growth and further development.

• Faster and cheaper business start-up

The establishment of a company should be possible within 48 hours, at a maximum cost of 100 euros and without a minimum share capital.

• Less administration

Companies would only provide data once, via the EU Single Window, thus avoiding repeating the same documentation to different institutions.

• Fully digital business

The entire lifecycle of a company, from its creation to its management, would be digitalised. This also includes corporate processes such as decision-making, share management and communication with institutions.

• Easier access to investment

Easier share transfers, standardised investment tools and the removal of administrative barriers will make it easier to attract investment, including from cross-border investors.

• Attracting and retaining talent

Measures are also envisaged to facilitate the attraction and retention of employees, such as more flexible reward models through stock options. Such models are already the standard in the startup environment, and could now become more accessible within the EU.

• Lower risk and easier new start

Simplified and digital insolvency procedures are foreseen, allowing entrepreneurs to recover and restart faster.

EU Inc. is more than just a new legal form

EU Inc. is not only a new form of company, but part of a broader package of measures by which the EU aims to strengthen the competitiveness of its economy.

In addition to this initiative, solutions are being developed for further digitalisation of business and public services, easier access to finance through the development of capital markets, greater talent mobility and simplification of the tax framework.

The aim is to create an environment in which businesses can operate and grow across the European Union without unnecessary barriers.

What does this mean for Croatian entrepreneurs?

For entrepreneurs in Croatia, EU Inc. could Facilitate access to other EU markets without the need to establish separate companies in each country. This reduces costs and administrative burdens, but also speeds up the process of internationalisation.

In addition, easier access to investors and the wider labour market can be a significant stimulus for growth, especially for innovative companies and start-ups with the ambition of business internationalisation.

For entrepreneurs who think about growth outside national frameworks, this is an initiative that is definitely worth following.

What is next and how realistic is EU Inc.?

EU Inc. is currently in the legislative process at European Union level, meaning that The proposal has yet to be negotiated between the European Parliament and the Member States in the Council of the EU.

It is these negotiations that will determine the final form and scope of application. While the idea of a single framework is broadly supported, open issues may include how Member States implement it, alignment with existing national legislations, and the level of digital readiness of individual systems.

It is important to underline that EU Inc. is proposed as a regulation, meaning that, once adopted, it would be directly applicable in all Member States, without the need for additional national laws. This increases its enforceability and uniformity.

The European Commission has set itself an ambitious goal, reaching a political agreement by the end of 2026.

For entrepreneurs, this means that EU Inc. is not yet an operational model, but it is a clear signal in which direction the business environment in the European Union is developing.