The Town of Knin, Croatia

KNIN– CROATIAN TOWN OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Introduction

Knin is located in a Karst field surrounded by mountains...The field is rich in water springs, and seven rivers flow through it. Configuration of the ground is heterogeneous varying from 220 m above sea level in the Knin field, up to the highest mountain peak in Croatia – Dinara at 1.831 m above sea level.

Intersection of roads from Mediterranean and continental Croatia. The third biggest intersection of railway lines in Croatia. Big Croatian ports of Split, Šibenik, and Zadar are very well connected to Knin, which is also a railway junction used for transportation of goods from these ports further to the inland.

Knin is surrounded by attractive natural resources, which are among the best preserved in Europe. It is also rich in cultural monuments and archeological sites...

Life style in Knin is characteristic for small towns in the Dalmatian hinterland – easy going and relaxed. People are well-intentioned, and have traditionally friendly approach to the foreigners

Knin has reputation of the town of youth -with reason, since more than 5000 out of 15200 inhabitants are under 19, and they make future strength of the town.

The greatest natural resource is abundance of water – rivers, streams, and lakes.

Water, environment and nature in Knin are not polluted, which presents great pledge for future and use of water resources.

Town of Knin and its inhabitants, with warm hearts and door wide open, welcomes all people with good will and honest intentions

The town of Knin was percived as poor with lots of social problems. Recently it has seen a turning point, especially in the development of small and medium enterprises.

It is no longer a city of big factories, which was its main feature in the past, but is a town of educated, young people ready to build their lives in Knin.

Inhabitants and the area

• 15.000 residents

• Average age – 35

• 6.000 (40%) below 18 years old from which 3.500 below 12 years old

• 300 - kindergarden

• 2.000 - elementary shool

• 1.500 - highschool

• 400 - Polytechnics “Marko Marulić” of Knin

Economy (SME)

Today, in wider region operates 17 cooperatives mainly focused on agriculture ( livestock farming, vegetable and fruits production, bookkeeping).

What have we done?

Due to infrastructural reorganization and implemented supporting measures to small and

medium enterprises, the progress is noticeable, both in reducing the number of

unemployed, and improving the structure of the available workforce.

Basic goals

• Sustainable economic development based on knowledge and application of new technologies

• Rebuilding infrastructure and better transport connections

• Development of Agriculture, aspecially livestock production (organic production, eco-lamb production)

• The development of rural tourism (rural development)

• Protection of natural and cultural heritage

Achieved results

1995. Opened branch office of Croatian Chamber of Economy / 2003 became the Chamber of economy office for the areas of Special state concern (SSC)

1998. Established Association of craftsman Knin

2001. Founded Center for entrepreneurship of Knin

2003. Started working entrepreneurial incubator

2003. Founded Knin Tourist Board

2005. Founded Polytechnics of Knin

2007. Opened new business zone

Higher education

• Founded “Marko Marulić” Polytechnic of Knin

• Studies adapted to the needs of the local economy

• Innovative center - special expert and scientific unit

• CISCO - Academy of network technology

• New studies in prepare – specialist expert studies in economics and electrical and mechanical engineering

• Academic entrepreneurship

Other education

• Highschool

• Open University Knin – public institution

• Center for entrepreneurship

• Civil society organisations

Agriculture

• Encouraging development and co-financing the fruit production

• Co-financing the raising of new vineyards

• Funding apiculture

Tourism

• Tourist Board

• Measures to encourage the development of rural tourism

• Modernising tourist facilities

• Raising the level of accommodation quality

• Developing tourist offer (rural tourism, hunting and fishing, rafting, off road cycling ...)

• Reconstruction of buildings on the fortress

and other archeological sites

Infrastructure

The construction and reconstruction:

• Transportation infrastructure

• Utilities and electrical networks

• Public Lighting

• Telecommunication infrastructure