On 26 May 2026, Kutina (Croatia) hosted the fourth FIC-Fighters citizen event. The initiative, titled “Voices for Change: Exploring Solutions for the PG Stack in Kutina”, was organised by ALDA in collaboration with PREHNIT and At Clave.
Kutina serves as a key case study for the project due to the presence of a local phosphogypsum (PG) stack. Although this privately owned site is currently kept under controlled conditions, it poses potential risks to soil, water, and air quality, sparking public concern over health impacts and declining property values. Furthermore, the site lies adjacent to the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park—a protected bird habitat whose preservation adds a critical ecological dimension to the management of the area.
The workshop brought together 12 participants of various ages and genders, representing a diverse mix of stakeholders. Attendees included local citizens alongside representatives from public bodies, research institutions, and key civil society organisations.
Urgent Priorities Identified
During the discussions, participants highlighted several critical areas requiring immediate attention:
- Mitigating Environmental Risks: Addressing air, soil, and water pollution caused by the PG stack, with a particular focus on protecting the Sava River basin and the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park.
- Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring stronger involvement of local residents, national decision-makers, and key stakeholders in future project activities.
- Site Remediation and Circular Economy: Regenerating the landfill site by exploring ways to reuse phosphogypsum as a valuable resource in various industrial processes.
Future Development Scenarios
The event also served as a platform to co-design future pathways for the region, highlighting:
- Industrial Transition: Transforming Kutina into a hub for clean technologies, innovation, and sustainable industrial practices.
- Green Energy Innovation: Advancing the energy transition through the development of renewable energy sources, specifically the construction of large-scale photovoltaic power plants.
- Land Regeneration: Capitalising on the potential to green and revitalise large areas of the landfill site to ensure long-term, sustainable land use.
- Democratic Consultation: Strengthening citizen engagement in local decision-making and improving public consultations for future urban scenarios.
Conclusions
The workshop demonstrated a high level of engagement, showcasing the participants’ deep understanding of the topic and their readiness to contribute to the city’s future. Ultimately, the event provided a solid foundation for the next phases of the FIC-Fighters project, reaffirming that a participatory approach is vital to designing sustainable, feasible solutions for Kutina.
