The Poreč Tourist Board is taking key steps towards the strategic enrichment of its tourist offer, aiming to position the city as a year-round destination of high added value. To this end, a significant Public Call has been issued for event organizers, opening up the possibility of obtaining financial support for projects planned for 2026. This initiative, which forms the basis for the future development of events in the city, seeks to attract and support projects that have the potential to become the main motive for visitors' arrivals, not only during the summer months but also outside the main season.

Funds from the "Grants for Events in 2026" program are intended for the allocation of non-refundable grants for the organization and implementation of events held in the administrative area of the City of Poreč – Parenzo. The emphasis is on events with an international, national, or regional impact, those that, with their content, quality, and originality, can significantly contribute to the attractiveness of the destination and attract new guests. In designing this call, the Tourist Board was guided by a clear vision of strengthening the competitiveness of Poreč tourism in an increasingly demanding global market.

Strategic goals for strengthening the destination brand

The Public Call defines six key strategic goals that the submitted events must strive for. The first and primary goal is to improve and enrich the overall tourist product and offer of Poreč. This involves creating new, innovative content that will provide visitors with unique experiences and enrich their stay. The second, extremely important goal, is the development of events that directly contribute to extending the tourist season. Events in the pre-season and post-season periods are a key tool for attracting guests outside the summer peak, thus ensuring greater occupancy of accommodation capacities and more sustainable tourism development. It is precisely such events that allow visitors to explore the wide range of accommodation in Poreč even when the beaches are not the main focus.

Furthermore, the grants are aimed at events that generate an increase in hospitality and other tourist traffic. Events that attract a large number of visitors directly affect the local economy, stimulating spending in restaurants, cafes, shops, and at various service providers. The fourth and fifth goals are closely related – strengthening the brand power of Poreč tourism and creating a recognizable image for the destination. High-quality and media-exposed events become a trademark of the city, profiling Poreč as a dynamic place with a rich cultural, sports, and entertainment offer. Finally, the sixth goal relates to increasing the marketing value of the destination, where successful events serve as a powerful promotional tool that reaches a wide audience in the domestic and international markets.

Diversity of events as the key to success

The grant program is open to an extremely wide range of events, thereby encouraging creativity and diversity in creating the city's calendar. Financial support can be approved for the organization and realization of various types of events. The category of entertainment events includes concerts, festivals, and other forms of entertainment programs that attract a wide audience. Sports events, which have a long tradition in Poreč thanks to top-notch infrastructure, include tournaments, competitions, and sports camps of local to international significance. They often also require finding adequate accommodation for athletes and visitors in Poreč, further stimulating tourist traffic.

Cultural events include theater performances, exhibitions, film festivals, and other events that celebrate art and culture. Given the rich historical heritage of Poreč, special emphasis is also placed on historical and traditional events that revive local history, customs, and traditions. Eno-gastronomic events, which promote Istrian cuisine, wines, and indigenous products, represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourist offer and are a key motive for visiting Istria. In addition, support can also be obtained for artistic events, congresses that position Poreč as a MICE destination, and other events that, with their content, can contribute to achieving the aforementioned strategic goals.

Who is eligible for support?

The circle of potential applicants is very broad, which ensures inclusivity and opens the door to cooperation between various stakeholders in the public and private sectors. Legal and natural persons with a registered business in the Republic of Croatia can apply for the support funds. This includes companies, crafts, cooperatives, and national sports federations. Also eligible to apply are public institutions, cultural institutions, artistic organizations, and units of local and regional (area) self-government. Citizens' associations, which are often behind numerous enthusiastic and high-quality projects, are also invited to nominate their events. Such an approach allows both large, established organizers and smaller initiatives with innovative and fresh ideas that can enrich the city's offer to compete for funding.

Application process and deadlines

The application process is fully digitized to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency. Event organizers submit their applications, or requests, along with all the necessary documentation prescribed in the Public Call, to the Poreč Tourist Board exclusively in electronic form. For this purpose, a special link for e-Applications has been established, available through the official website of the Tourist Board.

The key date for all interested parties is the deadline for submitting applications, which is October 12, 2025, at exactly 23:59:59. Applications received after the specified deadline will not be considered, so organizers are advised to prepare and submit their projects on time. All details related to the terms of the Public Call, evaluation criteria, required documentation, and other relevant information are available on the official website of the Poreč Tourist Board, at the address www.myporec.com, in the section dedicated to tenders. This initiative represents an opportunity for all those who want to contribute to creating an even richer and more attractive Poreč, a city that lives through its events all year round and always offers its visitors one more reason to come and explore, including finding the perfect accommodation in Poreč.