The Knowledge Centre of the Međimurje County is the initiative for the revitalization of the former army complex Nikola Zrinski barracks in Čakovec. It was initiated by the transfer of ownership of the area from the Ministry of Defence to the Međimurje County in 2007. The idea of the Knowledge Centre is to create synergies between public, educational and supportive institutions in order to proactively support the economic sector at the same time improving the quality of life of the local community. Since then, the Knowledge Centre has become a vibrant place where changes and progress happen. Several institutions important for regional development od Međimurje have found their home in the complex – Public Institution for the Development of Međimurje County REDEA, Technology Innovation Centre Međimurje (TICM), Međimurje Energy Agency (MENEA), Metal Centre Čakovec, Međimurje University of Applied Sciences in Čakovec, Tourism Board of Međimurje County and MIN – Međimurje, Investment, Real Estate. In addition to those, there are a number of SMEs that thrived thanks to the ecosystem in place. Currently, there is a new investment cycle underway and new projects are being developed. The majority of the investments in the Knowledge Centre so far have been financed through EU funding.
