At the end of March 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in the Novska Business Zone for the construction of the Gaming Industry Center, a strategic project of national importance that will further position Croatia on the European gaming stage. The groundbreaking was carried out by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, and the Prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County, Ivan Celjak, with the presence of numerous high-ranking officials, business leaders, and representatives of the gaming community.
The Gaming Industry Center will cover nearly 9 hectares in the Novska Business Zone, and this first phase includes the construction of roads, a faculty building, a student dormitory, sports courts, a power plant, and other infrastructure facilities. The project is led by the Public Institution Regional Coordinator of Sisak-Moslavina County, with partners including Sisak-Moslavina County, the SIMORA Development Agency, and the City of Novska. The project is financed by the Just Transition Fund, with the total value of the first phase amounting to €38,657,181.00.
In addition to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and the Prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County, the groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Marin Piletić; Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds at the time, Šime Erlić; Director of the Central State Office for Financing and Contracting EU Programs and Projects, Dragan Jelić; Deputy Prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County, Mihael Jurić; Director of the Regional Coordinator of Sisak-Moslavina County, Andreja Šeperac; Mayor of Novska, Marija Kušmiš, and Deputy Mayor Siniša Kesić; as well as the then Director of the SIMORA Development Agency, Darjan Vlahov. The ceremony was also attended by city councilors, business leaders, directors of institutions, public figures, and members of the media.
The Director of the Public Institution Regional Coordinator of Sisak-Moslavina County, Andreja Šeperac, highlighted the importance of the project for economic and educational development:
“We are standing at the site of the future hub of the gaming industry. We will have a student dormitory, a faculty building, comprehensive sports facilities, and soon we hope to begin the second phase, when we will construct the incubator building. This project will contribute to the development of the economy in this region. I thank the young people who work, create, and employ here, as well as the City of Novska, Sisak-Moslavina County, the Employment Service, the Ministry, the Central State Office, and all of us. I wish us many sunny days and hope that in two years we will meet again and walk through the faculty and student dormitory buildings.”
The Prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County, Mr. Ivan Celjak, emphasized that this project represents a new impetus for the entire county: “For a long time, we have been looking at visualizations and animations of the Gaming Industry Center in Novska, and now they are becoming reality. In recent years, through joint efforts, we have achieved a great deal—from creating the main project to obtaining building permits, securing financial resources, and reaching today’s start of campus construction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for their direct collaboration, partnership, and full support of this project from the very beginning, because without it, we would not have secured the financial resources that are crucial for this project. I also thank everyone who has participated and will participate in the realization of this project, from the very idea to today and in the future, because you are building Novska and Sisak-Moslavina County for future generations.”
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, commented on the national significance of the project and the Government’s support for its implementation: “I am extremely pleased that it is precisely Sisak-Moslavina County, which has gone through numerous difficult and challenging situations over the past 30 years, that has become a leader in economic and educational transformation oriented toward the future. This gaming center is a continuation of your work so far. You have identified a niche in education, as young programmers are already being trained and involved in a project that will attract young entrepreneurs and energize Novska and the entire county. Thank you for your commitment. I believe you have turned a new page and are moving in the right direction. We are supporting this project using funds from the Just Transition Fund, for the first time in such a large amount—around €38 million for the first phase—with a more demanding second phase to follow. I am glad that the project arose as a result of the ideas of people who took advantage of opportunities from EU funds to create an incubator and attract young people to start-ups. When I first saw this project, it looked like a video game, and now it is becoming reality. Novska will become a leading county in this field. The location is excellent, it is easily accessible, and with a large number of interested young people, I believe the initial number of employees will only be the beginning.” Additional symbolism to the event was given by the placement of a time capsule, presented by Josipa Bencek from the start-up GROW and Dominik Cvetkovski from the start-up ANIQ, young entrepreneurs who have made a significant contribution to the development of the gaming industry in Novska through their work and achievements. After the ceremonial part, the parish priest of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Rev. Milan Vidaković, invoked God’s blessing for the start and successful construction of this project. All attending guests agreed on one thing—the Gaming Industry Center in Novska will be a place where innovations become reality, and where creativity and technology shape the future.
