The agreement on the financing of the first phase of the construction of the Novska Gaming Center was signed on Tuesday in Novska. This center will be the first of its kind in Europe and is being financed from the new European Just Transition Fund. The Public Institution Regional Coordinator of Sisačko-Moslavinačka županija is the holder of the project, with partners including Sisačko-moslavinačka županija, Development Agency SIMORA, and the City of Novska. The first phase will be non-refundable with 26.3 million euros, with the total financing for the entire project reaching 100 million euros.
The gaming center will be built in the Enterprise Zone of the City of Novska on an area of eight hectares. It will include a faculty building with a sports hall and swimming pool, a dormitory for 250 students, an accelerator with a VR studio, an incubator for testing video games, and other facilities. The highlight of the center will be an e-sports arena with seating for 2,500 spectators and space for gaming competitions. A five-year higher education program and high school program will be offered at the campus.
Construction is starting now, with the completion and opening of the gaming center expected in 2027. The signing of the financing contract was attended by the Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds Šime Erlić, Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of Programs and Projects of the European Union Dragan Jelić, and Director of the Regional Coordinator of Sisčko-Moslavinačke županija Andreja Šeperac. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister of Labor and Social Policy Marin Pileti were also present at the ceremony.
The project represents a transformation towards the industry of the future and digital transformation. Sisako-Moslavina County has shown resilience and adaptation to new trends, positioning itself on the gaming map of Europe. This initiative signifies the development of a new era in Novska. Mayor Marija Kušmiš highlighted the decrease in unemployment and increase in employment in the area since 2018.