The Varaždin County Assembly unanimously approved on Wednesday the project to protect the prehistoric Vindija Cave, valued at €455,000. At the same session, this year's recipients of the county's public awards were elected, reported the portal Varaždinski.net.hr.
The project, "Protection of the entrance and development of part of the interior of Vindija Cave", aims to permanently preserve the site of world value, as well as open it for controlled scientific, educational and tourist use. In addition to extra protection of the entrance, glass barriers and platforms will be installed inside, and the cave will be able to be viewed by a maximum of 20 visitors at a time. Conservation of valuable internal sediment profiles is also planned. The works are expected to last two years, until the end of December 2028.
The Councilors unanimously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to the writer, linguist and long-term educator Barica Pahić-Grobenski, and posthumously to university professor and volunteer in the Homeland War Marijan Cinguli.
The Award for Outstanding Achievements in the past year went to Croatian Waters, Slobodan Drožđek and Mate Zrinski. For their contribution to the reputation and promotion of the county in the country and abroad, the musical group Kavaliri and Slavko Meister were awarded. The awards will be presented at the ceremonial session of the Assembly on the occasion of Varaždin County Day and the Feast of the Little Mother of God in September.
Councilors also accepted reports on the work of five health institutions for which the county is the founder, in which a total of 1,191 employees work, including 823 health professionals. A new regulation on simplified procurement, aligned with the new Public Procurement Act, was also adopted, which enters into force on 1 September 2026.
