Establishing development teams – engines of economic development andregional cooperation

European Union is known for having programmes accompanying every strategy which support achievement of defined objectives. The programmes further contain sets of measures for implementation and financial frameworks sustaining activities of the foreseen measures. In order to realize any of the strategies it is necessary to create prerequisites for development of human resources, for support of entrepreneurship, incentives for SME-s and innovation. Instead of limited means available through Instrument of pre-accession assistance (IPA ), once Croatia reaches full membership a whole new perspective will be open through funding available within Structural and Cohesion Fund. In this light the period of pre-accession and related funds have to be used for the purpose of learning and adjustment but due to lack of infrastructure and necessary knowledge Croatia seems to have questionable success in utilisation of the available funds. Human potentials represent a basis on which strategy of economic development is built upon. All other resources: economic resources, geo-strategic position, level of technological development, in comparison to human resources seem to be less important. One of the reasons for insufficient usage of available EU funds is lack of human resources with specific knowledge and skills for preparation of projects according to EU standards. Implementation of a model for establishment of Development teams within local self-government units, institutions and civil sector will enhance absorption of available funds and influence economic development of the region. Furthermore it will contribute to quality preparations for application procedures related to utilisation of funds that will open upon Croatian EU-accession.