How an Ambitious Initiative is Turning Croatia’s Novska into a Major European Gaming Hub

In the very heart of Croatia, where life had flowed at a measured pace until recently, a project has emerged that could change not only the face of a single city, but also the entire industrial map of the region. Novska, a city with a population of just over 11,000, has set out, with the support of the European Union, to create the largest gaming industry hub in Europe. What prompted local authorities and the business community to take such a bold step, and what could this initiative mean for the future of the entire country?

At the center of attention is the large-scale construction of a gaming hub, designed to transform Novska into a technological magnet for talent and investment. A 2.2-acre site will become home to a complex worth €66 million, invested from the special European Just Transition Fund. The city, traditionally far removed from innovative sectors, aims to become the national “Silicon Valley,” hoping to turn an economy based on logging and metallurgy into a modern center for digital development.

The Just Transition Fund is an EU instrument aimed at supporting regions facing the consequences of the transition to a low-carbon economy. For Novska and the entire Sisak-Moslavina County, this step means a chance to break the vicious cycle of economic stagnation and enter new markets.

From Idea to Project

As Mayor Marija Kušmiš recounts, the initial idea to create something like this seemed too audacious for a small town. The turning point came after the opening of the “Pismo” startup incubator, supported by European grants. This incubator became a platform for the first 60 companies and hundreds of young professionals, significantly increasing employment and reviving the economy.

Over several years, “Pismo” proved that the city has potential for growth in IT and digital services. This success became the argument for moving to a more ambitious goal: creating a full-fledged gaming center. According to Andrea Šeperac from the regional agency SIMORA, the task of the local administration is now to take the next step by uniting startups, educational institutions, and international companies into a single ecosystem.

Economy and Financing

The main part of the funding comes through the Just Transition Fund, which underscores Brussels’ confidence in the project. A total of €66 million has been allocated for development. Historically, the region’s economy was based on the timber industry and metalworking, but these sectors cannot provide sustainable growth in employment and income.

EU investments open up new prospects for diversifying the city’s economy. Regional authorities and European structures monitor the use of funds and the implementation process, which reduces corruption risks and increases transparency. According to experts, such support could become an example of successful renewal for other small towns in Eastern Europe.

Implementation Plan

The construction of the future center involves several stages: site preparation, contractor selection, construction of key buildings, and launch of infrastructure. All work is planned to be completed by 2027 in the optimistic scenario, or by 2028 if there are delays.

The first tender was unsuccessful due to inflated bids from foreign companies, but repeated negotiations, according to the organizers, are already yielding results. It is expected that a contractor will be selected by the end of the current year, and work will be able to begin in the coming months. Regular dialogue with residents and oversight by the authorities help to resolve emerging difficulties.

Infrastructure of the Future Center

The central element will be a business incubator for 2,500 people, where teams will be able to test new video games in conditions close to real life. To accelerate industry development, an accelerator with offices for 200 companies will be built: an accelerator is a platform for the rapid growth of mature startups, where entrepreneurs gain access to mentoring, financing, and business networking.

The center will also feature the largest virtual studio on the continent for film and game production, equipped with €6 million worth of equipment. A separate educational campus with a university for game development is designed for hundreds of students. For comfortable living, there will be a dormitory, restaurant, and café. The sports area will include a swimming pool, football field, and volleyball courts.

Such a combination of infrastructure is rare even in leading European technology parks: for example, educational programs in game development in Germany and Scotland are inferior to the Croatian project in terms of scale and comprehensiveness.

Impact on the Region

Experts estimate that at launch alone, the center will create at least 85 new jobs — from teachers and developers to technical and service support. In the future, the number of jobs is expected to grow due to the influx of residents and the expansion of educational programs.

It is quite possible that this will affect not only AAA game developers, but also creators of simple arcade games. The number and popularity of such games are showing rapid growth. This is confirmed by the data presented here on the increasing popularity of plinko apps and other arcade games. Many of these games have already surpassed mobile games and even some AAA projects in terms of player numbers. Naturally, their producers are also growing, expanding their teams and opening new offices.

Not only the structure of employment will change, but also the demographic situation. Young professionals from other cities and countries will be able to find opportunities here that were previously unavailable in small Croatian towns. The question arises: will Novska be able to become a magnet for new generations of talent?

Environmental Solutions and Energy Independence

A modern technology center is impossible to imagine without environmental responsibility. The project provides for complete energy independence through the use of geothermal sources and the installation of a solar park on the roof of the parking lot. For the convenience of residents and guests, charging stations for electric vehicles will be installed.

This strategy meets European standards of sustainable development and proves that the transition to a digital economy can go hand in hand with care for the environment.

Comparison with European Counterparts and Project Uniqueness

There are individual educational centers for game development in Europe, for example, in Scotland and Germany, but in terms of scale and the combination of infrastructure, educational programs, and industrial expertise, the Novska project has no direct analogues. Representatives of SIMORA emphasize that Novska could become a model for the entire continent if it succeeds in overcoming personnel and organizational barriers.

Some experts note potential difficulties related to recruiting qualified staff and the long payback period for investments. Nevertheless, the ambition and scale of the initiative are attracting interest from both investors and the professional community.