The presentation was organised by the Faculty of Organization and Informatics and the DIGIT Project of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, within the framework of a public consultation running until 7 June 2026. It is worth recalling that at the end of last year the Ministry approved funding for the project “Demolition and construction of the new FOI 2 building” from a World Bank loan within the Digital, Innovative and Green Technologies (DIGIT) project, in the amount of 20 million euros.
The FOI 2 project refers to the construction of a new modern campus of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin, located at Fausta Vrančića Street 3, on a site that connects the city’s historic core with modern university and research facilities. This is a strategic investment aimed at long-term strengthening of research and educational capacities, improving the quality of scientific research, and further positioning FOI within the European Research Area.
“The purpose of the project is to strengthen research infrastructure by creating new spatial and technologically advanced capacities based on the principles of green and energy-efficient construction. This will ensure better working conditions for students, teachers, and researchers, increase the efficiency of research activities, and strengthen FOI’s integration into European research streams. The project also contributes to the development of Varaždin and north-western Croatia as a regional centre of knowledge, innovation, and digital transformation, with an emphasis on cooperation between academia and industry,” said Dean Prof. Dr. Marina Klačmer Čalopa.
The new FOI 2 campus is designed as a modern, functional, and sustainable academic space with a total gross floor area of 5,559.2 m², plus an additional 800 m² of covered garage space. Special attention has been given to traffic solutions and accessibility, with a total of 86 parking spaces and a specially designed bicycle parking area. The internal spatial concept of the campus is designed to support modern forms of teaching, research, and collaboration. Three large lecture halls of 153 m² each are planned, each with a capacity of 137 seats, as well as an additional large lecture hall of 352 m² with a capacity of 328 seats. In addition, four computer classrooms of 68 m², four seminar rooms of 156 m² with a capacity of 80 seats, and 16 offices for teachers and researchers are planned. The campus also includes research laboratories of various sizes, meeting rooms, a small council hall, service and support areas, a central hall, and a shared student space of 127 m² designed as a place for everyday interaction and exchange of ideas – presented by chief project designer Prof. Dr. Tin Sven Franić to representatives of local and regional government, faculty staff, and students.
The presentation also highlighted key development effects of the project, including alignment with national strategic goals and the DIGIT project implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, as well as partners involved in the development of research infrastructure.
“We decided to support the project with 20 million euros in order to enable the construction and equipping of the new building and create conditions for the further development of FOI, both in scientific research and in education. We believe that this investment will further strengthen FOI’s position as one of the most important university centres in Croatia,” stated Dr. Hrvoje Meštrić, Director of the Directorate for Science and Technology at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth.
Support for the project was also expressed by the prefect of Varaždin County, Anđelko Stričak, who emphasized that this is an investment that goes beyond local frameworks. “The FOI 2 project is one of the most important development and educational projects for Varaždin County, but also for the entire northern Croatia. Its realization will provide students and professors with significantly better conditions for education, scientific research, and innovation development, while further strengthening FOI’s cooperation with the real sector. FOI has for years been a leader in digitalisation and informatization and actively participates in our centres of excellence and numerous educational projects. The new building represents a logical continuation of this development and another important step in strengthening FOI’s role as one of the leading higher education and scientific centres in this part of Croatia,” said Stričak.
Head of the Administrative Department for Economic Activities, Slađana Miočić, emphasized that the new FOI 2 project, together with the renovated Villa Oršić, the Regional Centre for Pre-Incubation in Smart Industry being developed in partnership between FOI, the City of Varaždin and local government units, and the existing FOI 1 building, will form a unified and modern urban university campus in Varaždin, strongly connected to the needs of education, research, innovation, and regional economic development.
The project also has the support of the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, headed by Minister Damir Habijan.
It is also noted that the public consultation on the ESMP document lasts until 7 June 2026, and interested members of the public may submit their suggestions, comments, and opinions via email at grmdigit@mzom.hr and pr@foi.unizg.hr, or by post to the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin.
The project completion deadline for construction is October 2028.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)
