About the Project
Project title: Connecting Croatia: Advancing Sustainable, Green, and Inclusive Transport through Effective Legal Regulation
Project acronym: CroConnect
Project number: uniri-iz-25-99
Project financing: European Union – NextGenerationEU
Project duration: 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2029
Total value of the project (EUR): 47.145,61
Legal disclaimer: The project has been funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
Project Leader
Name and surname: Assoc. Prof. Iva Tuhtan Grgić
E-mail: iva.tuhtan.grgic@uniri.hr
Project Team Members
- prof. dr. sc. Dorotea Ćorić, dorotea.coric@uniri.hr
- prof. dr. sc. Emilia Mišćenić, emilia.miscenic@uniri.hr
- prof. dr. sc. Vlatka Butorac Malnar, vlatka.butorac@uniri.hr
- izv. prof. dr. sc. Danijela Vrbljanac, danijela.vrbljanac@uniri.hr
- izv. prof. dr. sc. Iva Savić, iva.savic@pravo.hr
- nasl. izv. prof. dr. sc. Adriana Vincenca Padovan, avpadovan@hazu.hr
- izv. prof. dr. sc. Daniele Casciano, daniele.casciano@uniud.it
- dr. sc. Zuzanna Pepłowska-Dąbrowska, zpeplow@gmail.com
- dr. sc. Darja Lončar, darja.loncar.dusanovic@gmail.com
- Marijana Liszt, marijana.liszt@lipo.hr
- Agata Dajčić, agata.dajcic@uniri.hr
- Elson Thana, elsonth@yahoo.com
Project Description
The project “Connecting Croatia: Advancing Sustainable, Green, and Inclusive Transport through Effective Legal Regulation” is of immense legal, political, and economic importance for strengthening the regulatory framework and transport policy of the Republic of Croatia. The significance of the topic arises, on one hand, from the EU’s strategic commitment to the digital and green transition of the European Single Transport Area. On the other hand, according to the European Commission’s 2024 study on trends and issues in transport, Croatia, despite being strategically and geographically one of the key transport hubs in the EU, ranks at the bottom within the EU in achieving the set objectives. The digital and green transition introduces a range of legal challenges into the already complex transport system, such as the need to protect the privacy and personal data of all stakeholders, the need to develop an entire legal framework for the successful introduction of autonomous vehicles and vessels, a unified legal framework to enable the effective use of digital technologies in transport at the EU level, efficient regulation to ban greenwashing, a regulatory framework to reduce gas emissions and introduce a circular economy, while simultaneously ensuring effective market competition within the internal market.
Project goals:
Bearing these challenges in mind, the project has three main objectives:
- to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory framework,
- to identify challenges and weaknesses in the Croatian legal framework, and
- to propose legal solutions of high standard that are also sustainable in the long term. These solutions a prerequisite for the creation of a sustainable, green, and inclusive transport system and strengthening the position of the Republic of Croatia in the Single European Transport Area.
Expected results:
- The sustainability of the project results is ensured through a dissemination strategy, as well as through the application and further development of the research outcomes. The project results will continue to be used through several key channels. The results are planned to be published in open access, thereby ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the research findings, de lege ferenda proposals, and recommendations addressed to actors in the transport sector. Therefore, in addition to the academic community, the main long-term and sustainable users of the project results are expected to be institutional bodies of the Republic of Croatia and key economic stakeholders in the transport sector.
- The ambitiously designed work plan contributes to all strategic programme objectives, but above all to the strategic goal of enhancing scientific excellence. The research will enable the identification of contentious areas, which will serve as a basis for submitting one or more competitive scientific research projects. The academic community will benefit through round tables, conferences, and a series of presentations. This will also contribute to strengthening the international network of researchers, which is important for future collaborations through the activities of faculty departments and professional associations in cooperation with the business sector.
- The third project objective is to develop and propose adequate legal solutions aimed at improving the regulatory framework. It is therefore expected that the primary users of the project results will be government institutions, regulatory bodies, and legislative authorities, which will be able to use these outcomes to align national regulations with EU policies. The sustainability of results in this area is planned to be ensured through cooperation with relevant institutions. The project publications will also include recommendations for harmonising national court practice with EU law, thereby contributing to the achievement of legal certainty.
- Private sector stakeholders will be able to use the project results in their day-to-day operations to align their business practices with the new legislative framework and to develop relevant autonomous rules, contributing to the sustainable development of the transport sector and the reduction of its environmental footprint. Finally, through science communication and outreach activities, the project will contribute to raising legal awareness and educating consumers about their rights and obligations in the transport sector. Furthermore, the introduction of a new university course will support the education of future generations of legal professionals in this field.
Key words:
- transport, sustainability, green transition, digital transition, smart mobility, Single European Transport Area
Project Results
Presentations
Active Contribution of the CroConnect Project Team at the 7th Adriatic Maritime Law Conference (AMLC), Izola, 8–10 April 2026
Members of the CroConnect project participated in the 7th Adriatic Maritime Law Conference (AMLC), held in Izola, Slovenia, and hosted by the Maritime Law Association of Slovenia.
Since its establishment in 2016, the AMLC has evolved into a well-established regional forum for maritime law, facilitating cooperation among Adriatic coastal states and contributing to the development of a coherent legal and regulatory framework in the region. The Conference is of particular importance in the context of strengthening regional cooperation and addressing current challenges in maritime transport law.
The CroConnect project was strongly represented at this year’s Conference, reflecting its active engagement in regional maritime law initiatives. Prof. Iva Tuhtan Grgić, Project Coordinator, and prof. Daniele Casciano participated as session moderators, while five project team members contributed to the Conference programme through their presentations.
Adriana V. Padovan and Dorotea Ćorić: „FuelEU Maritime Regulation with a Focus on Seaports“
Project team members Prof. Dorotea Ćorić and Assoc. Prof. Adriana Vincenca Padovan delivered a presentation titled “FuelEU Maritime Regulation with a Focus on Seaports.” The presentation outlined the regulatory framework for the decarbonisation of maritime transport, with particular emphasis on the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, including its objectives, scope of application, core principles, and key implementation milestones in seaports.
The presentation was prepared in cooperation with representatives of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia – Jana Borić Kasal and Dr. sc. Nina Perko, Director of the Directorate for Maritime Safety – who focused on the challenges in implementing this Regulation in the Republic of Croatia, as well as future perspectives from the standpoint of an EU Member State maritime administration. This cooperation with the Ministry further highlights one of the key objectives of the CroConnect project – strengthening cooperation between the academic community and competent public authorities.
Gordan Stanković and Agata Dajčić: „Extension of Concessions for Nautical Tourism Ports – A Comparative Legal Perspective“
Project team member Agata Dajčić, PhD candidate, participated in the 7th AMLC conference together with attorney Gordan Stanković as co-presenter, as part of the panel Yachting Industry in the Adriatic Coastal States – Legal Issues.
Building on insights into the current state of nautical tourism ports presented by Stanković, her presentation explored the potential application of Italian legal solutions—introduced following the Decreto Infrazioni (2024) and DPR 509/1997—to already developed Croatian nautical tourism ports.
The presentation also addressed the concept of concessions under European Union law, the existing legal framework governing nautical tourism ports, and key open issues in this field. Particular attention was given to how Italian law responds to challenges relevant to Croatian concessionaires, supported by case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Zuzanna Pepłowska-Dąbrowska, 14th Maritime Law Conference “Protection of Ports and Maritime Navigation” (Ochrona portów i żeglugi morskiej), Gdańsk, 26 March 2026
At the 14th Maritime Law Conference entitled “Protection of Ports and Maritime Navigation” (Ochrona portów i żeglugi morskiej), held on 26 March 2026 at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk (Wydział Prawa i Administracji, UG), Dr Zuzanna Pepłowska-Dąbrowska delivered a presentation within Panel III: “Legal Instruments for the Protection of Maritime Navigation” (Instrumenty prawne ochrony żeglugi morskiej).
Her presentation, entitled “New Areas of IMO Interest and the Safety of Ports and Shipping” (Nowe obszary zainteresowania IMO a bezpieczeństwo portów i żeglugi), addressed the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) evolving areas of activity relevant to maritime safety and security.
The conference gathered academics and practitioners to discuss current challenges related to the protection of ports and maritime transport, with particular emphasis on legal and operational responses to emerging risks.
The conference was organised by the Department of Maritime Law of the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Gdańsk, in cooperation with the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) Gdańsk.
Photo: @ELSA Gdańsk
Agata Dajčić at the Panel “Blue Future of Ports and Nautical Tourism” – Croatian Ports Days 2026, Zadar, March 25 to 28, 2026
From March 25 to 28, 2026, the second edition of the national conference “Croatian Ports Days 2026” was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Zadar, organized by the Port Authority Zadar.
The conference brought together maritime sector experts, investors, representatives of port authorities, the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, and the academic community, with the aim of fostering discussion on current challenges and future development directions of Croatian ports.
PhD candidate Agata Dajčić, member of the CroConnect team participated in the panel “Blue Future of Ports and Nautical Tourism”, alongside distinguished experts from the sector: Božena Krce Miočić, Juraj Bukša, Luka Vukić, and Gordan Perić.
The discussion covered key topics:
🔹 the connection between ports and nautical tourism in the development of coastal destinations
🔹 sustainable management of marinas and port infrastructure
🔹 the synergy between tourism, environmental protection, and the local economy
🔹 perspectives for the development of the blue economy in Croatia
Particular emphasis was placed on the issue of extending concessions for nautical tourism ports, in the context of European Union law and the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, including the models and conditions under which such extensions may be considered legally viable.
Participation of Zuzanna Pepłowska‑Dąbrowska and Ante Vojković at the 5th International Maritime Conference – KIMC 2025, Kotor, Montenegro, 27-29 November 2025.
Team member Dr. Zuzanna Pepłowska‑Dąbrowska (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń) and lawyer Ante Vojković participated in the 5th International Maritime Conference – KIMC 2025, held from 27 to 29 November 2025 in Kotor, Montenegro. The conference, organized by the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Kotor in cooperation with partner institutions, brought together over 170 authors and researchers from 15 countries, as well as numerous maritime industry professionals, to exchange knowledge and professional experiences.
At the conference, Dr. Zuzanna Pepłowska‑Dąbrowska and lawyer Ante Vojković jointly presented their work and discussed a highly topical issue – the regime of civil liability for damages caused by alternative fuels in maritime transport, sharing their insights with colleagues from both academia and the maritime industry. The conference covered a wide range of topics, from navigation and maritime engineering to sustainable maritime transport, environmental protection, maritime safety, and the integration of advanced technologies into maritime practice.
Mišćenić, Emilia, Roundtable on EU Consumer Law in the Courts: a Judicial Dialogue, International Scientific Conference “50 Years of Consumer Law in the European Union: Past, Present, and Future”, Luxembourg, Luksemburg, 21.11.2025-21.11.2025
The International Scientific Conference “50 Years of Consumer Law in the European Union: Past, Present, and Future”, held in Luxembourg, brought together leading experts to reflect on the evolution of EU consumer law and the challenges ahead. Over the years, the CJEU has developed various institutions and principles within its case law to guarantee the effectiveness, or full effect, of EU law.
A central focus of the conference was the judicial dialogue between the CJEU and the courts of the Member States, aimed at ensuring the full effectiveness of EU law in the field of consumer protection. Discussions addressed key topics such as the principles of equivalence and effectiveness, the ex officio application of EU consumer rules, and the impact of CJEU case law and the duty of consistent interpretation on national courts.
Prof. Emilia Mišćenić participated in the conference and took part in insightful and engaging discussions on these important issues.
Danijela Vrbljanac, “Driven by Data: Safeguarding Personal Data in Autonomous Vehicles System”, 9th Petar Šarčević International Scientific Conference, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Law
In her lecture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Danijela Vrbljanac examined the growing risks that autonomous vehicle systems pose to personal data protection, with a particular emphasis on challenges related to lawful data processing bases. She highlighted several examples of problematic practices, including Tesla’s Sentry Mode, illustrating how current technologies may fail to meet fundamental data protection requirements.
The lecture underscored that the rapid development of autonomous vehicle ecosystems has introduced a wide range of new stakeholders, complex and often opaque data flows, and overlapping regulatory frameworks. Combined with the technical design of contemporary vehicle systems, these factors make it increasingly difficult to ensure meaningful transparency, one of the core principles of the GDPR, and to guarantee lawful and accountable processing of personal data.
Her presentation opened an important discussion on the need for clearer regulatory guidance, greater technical transparency, and stronger data protection safeguards in the future development of autonomous mobility.
Emilia Mišćenić, “Automated Vehicles at the Crossroads: Law, Policy and Deployment in Transition”, 9th Petar Šarčević International Scientific Conference, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Law
On 13–14 November 2025, Prof. Emilia Mišćenić presented at the 9th Petar Šarčević International Scientific Conference, held at University of Rijeka, Faculty of Law, titled “Automated Vehicles at the Crossroads: Law, Policy and Deployment in Transition.” her research on consumer vulnerability to certain aspects of unfair commercial practices in the context of autonomous vehicles.
Terms such as “autopilot,” “self-driving,” and “fully driverless” are often misleading consumers regarding the technological capabilities and safety of automated vehicles, which makes them vulnerable to high safety risks. Emilia Mišćenić concluded that it is time to address these issues more systematically under the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) and to update the regulatory framework to better protect consumers in the context of automated mobility.
Conferences
CroConnect suppored the 9th Petar Šarčević International Scientific Conference
Project CroConnect was proud to support the 9th Petar Šarčević International Scientific Conference, “Automated Vehicles at the Crossroads: Law, Policy and Deployment in Transition,” held on 13–14 November 2025 at University of Rijeka, Faculty of Law. The conference brought together leading experts from academia, industry, and public institutions, including representatives from the European Commission, Volkswagen, BMW, RAND Corporation, and other key actors shaping the future of autonomous mobility.
Our team participated both in organisation and with two contributions from our colleagues Emilia Mišćenić and Danijela Vrbljanac. They delivered presentations addressing some of the critical legal and ethical aspects of autonomous vehicles. Their contributions highlighted topics such as consumer vulnerability, ethical implications of automation, and regulatory challenges — underscoring the project’s goal of supporting legal and policy solutions in the field of sustainable transport.
By participating in and supporting the conference, CroConnect works to strengthen the network of academic researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, contributing to the development of a legal framework for sustainable, green, and inclusive transport in Croatia and the EU.
Mobilities, Training and Professional Development of Team Members
Dorotea Ćorić i Adriana V. Padovan participated in the International Conference on Preparedness and Response to Accidental Marine Pollution – Adriatic Spill Conference (ADRIASPILLCON 2026), Zadar, 21–23 April 2026
Within the framework of cooperation with the Adriatic Training and Research Centre for Accidental Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response (ATRAC), project associates Prof. Dorotea Ćorić and Associate Professor Adriana V. Padovan participated in the ADRIASPILL Conference, held in Zadar from 21 to 22 April 2026.
The ADRIASPILL Conference is a unique event at the Mediterranean level, bringing together key stakeholders from national, regional, and global systems for preparedness and response to accidental marine pollution. The Conference was organised by ATRAC under the auspices of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia, with the support of several international organisations, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds), and the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC).
This year’s programme focused on key issues related to preparedness and response to spills of oil, hazardous and noxious substances, and alternative fuels. It covered legal, organisational, and financial aspects of preparedness and response to pollution incidents, as well as technical and scientific approaches to addressing marine pollution.
In addition to lectures and panel discussions, the Conference featured an exhibition of equipment and technologies for pollution response, along with presentations of services provided by organisations and companies active in this field.
Iva Tuhtan Grgić participated in the YUFE Research Leadership Programme Online (15 December and 16 February) & Brussels, 21–22 January 2026
The Research Leadership Programme was delivered as a blended programme, combining online activities with in-person sessions, and was attended by more than 20 scientists from 10 different universities within the YUFE alliance, representing a wide range of scientific disciplines.
The project leader applied for the programme with the aim of strengthening team management and leadership skills. Throughout the programme, participants engaged with key topics such as leadership styles, communication within diverse research teams, conflict management, and personal leadership development.
The programme proved to be highly engaging and practically oriented, offering valuable insights not only for effective project management, but also for mentoring early-career researchers, particularly in supporting young colleagues during the doctoral thesis writing process. Its interdisciplinary setting and emphasis on self-reflection and peer learning made the experience both eye-opening and directly applicable to everyday academic work.
Research Mobility of PhD Candidate Agata Dajčić within the CroConnect Programme
PhD candidate Agata Dajčić, recipient of the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) MOBDOK 2023 scholarship, PhD student at the Faculty of Law in Rijeka, and assistant at the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka, is currently undertaking a four-month research mobility at the University of Messina (Università degli Studi di Messina, Department of Law „Salvatore Pugliatti”). This mobility is part of her doctoral research on concessions in marinas for nautical tourism.
During her stay in Italy, PhD candidate Agata Dajčić is conducting a comparative study of the Italian legal framework, focusing on the extension of concessions and the regulation of marinas for nautical tourism. The data and analyses collected will contribute to the writing of her doctoral dissertation and provide a direct understanding of different approaches to concession regulation in Europe.
This mobility also provides an opportunity to exchange experiences with colleagues from academia and practice in the field of maritime law, further strengthening the practical and research aspects of her study.
Professional training and expert meetings
Participation in the Judicial Conference of Judges and Judicial Advisers of the High Commercial Court of Croatia and Commercial Courts
Lovran, Croatia, 4-5 December 2025
Project Leader, Prof. Iva Tuhtan Grgić participated in the Judicial Conference organized by the High Commercial Court of the Republic of Croatia and the Judicial Academy, held on December 4–5, 2025, in Lovran. During the conference, she delivered a presentation on the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR), and subsequently took part in apanel discussion on the application of the CMR Convention in Croatia, where the focus was on current judicial practice and possible and desirable directions for its development. The presentation facilitated the exchange of professional experiences with colleagues from the judiciary and contributed to a practical understanding of the application of the CMR Convention in the national context.
Participation in the Educational Workshop on International Liability and Compensation Regimes for Maritime Accidents
Zagreb, Croatia, 26-27 November 2025
Project collaborators, Prof. Dorotea Ćorić and Assoc. Prof. Adriana V. Padovan, took part in a two-day educational workshop on 26–27 November 2025 in Zagreb. The event, organised by the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure in cooperation with ATRAC (Adriatic Training and Research Centre), was entitled “Liability and Compensation Regimes for Damage Resulting from Maritime Accidents” and aimed to provide specialised education on international liability and damage-compensation frameworks in maritime law.
Prof. Dr. Sc. Dorotea Ćorić delivered a three-hour lecture on the key international civil liability regimes for marine pollution from ships and discussed how these regimes are implemented in Croatian maritime legislation.
Adriana V. Padovan, PhD, delivered a two-hour lecture on the International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks and its application in the Republic of Croatia, focusing on regulatory and practical aspects.
Educational programs
Passenger Rights in Motion – BIP Programme Held within the CroConnect Project
The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Passenger Rights in Motion – From Traditional Transport to Smart Mobility has been successfully completed.
This activity was carried out as part of the CroConnect project, focusing on the development of practical skills, international cooperation, and innovative learning approaches in the field of law and smart mobility.
The programme was implemented in two phases: the virtual component took place from 1 March to 10 April 2026, while the physical component was held from 13 to 17 April 2026 on the island of Cres, at Moise Palace.
A total of 32 students participated, coming from Maastricht University, the University of Antwerp, Carlos III University of Madrid, the University of Udine, the University Nicolaus Copernicus of Torun and the Faculty of Law of the University of Rijeka.
After acquiring theoretical knowledge in the online phase on classical passenger rights in transport law, as well as their relationship with consumer law, personal data protection, new forms of mobility (so-called smart mobility), and mechanisms for procedural enforcement of these rights, students were divided into international teams. Within these teams, they worked on two Moot Court competitions addressing legal issues in the field of passenger rights in air and maritime transport. The students prepared written submissions and subsequently presented their arguments in simulated court proceedings in English. For many participants, this was their first experience in a moot court competition.
The programme was implemented by project team members Danijela Vrbljanac, Zuzanna Peplovska-Dąbrowska, Danijela Casciano, and Iva Tuhtan Grgić, together with colleagues from partner universities Marta Kołacz, Wouter Verheyen, Manuel Alba Fernández, and Juan Pablo Rodríguez Delgado.
The programme was funded by the European Union Erasmus+ programme.
Within the framework of the project “Connecting Croatia”, the BIP Passenger Rights in Motion has officially commenced
Within the project “Connecting Croatia: Advancing Sustainable, Green and Inclusive Transport through Effective Legal Regulation”, the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Passenger Rights in Motion: From Traditional Transport to Smart Mobility has officially commenced.
The programme represents a comprehensive course covering the development of passenger rights – from traditional rights across all modes of transport (air, rail, road and maritime) to new forms of mobility and the concept of smart mobility. Particular attention is given to the legal challenges arising from digital transformation and the green transition of the transport system.
The BIP brings together eight lecturers and twenty-eight students from all six partner institutions – the University of Rijeka, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the University of Udine, the University of Antwerp, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Maastricht University. The strong international composition of participants enables the exchange of diverse legal approaches, fosters comparative legal thinking, and contributes to the creation of lasting academic and professional connections.
In this way, the project fulfils one of its key objectives: the transfer of knowledge and the education of new generations of lawyers in the field of sustainable, green and inclusive transport.
Members of the project team actively involved in the design and implementation of the BIP include Iva Tuhtan Grgić and Danijela Vrbljanac, Zuzanna Pepłowska-Dąbrowska and Daniele Casciano, as well as lecturers from partner institutions – Wouter Verheyen, Manuel Alba Fernández, Juan Pablo Rodríguez Delgado, and Marta Kołacz.
