In order to achieve its objectives, the European Union has developed a number of policies and strategies and has established funds that serve as financial instruments to achieve these objectives. Investing in projects in the field of research, development and innovation is one of the primary goals of the EU because they are crucial for the development of a particular area as they increase competitiveness, living standards, employment and stimulate growth. Thesis includes theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part, the policies and strategies of the European Union and the Republic of Croatia are elaborated, which encourage projects in the field of research, development and innovation. Also, financial and economic analysis and risk analysis are theoretically described, as they are an integral part of the cost-benefit analysis that is done to determine the cost-effectiveness of the infrastructure project. The financial analysis is conducted to determine the profitability and sustainability of the project over time while the economic analysis assesses the contribution of the project to the economic well-being of the region and the state and is prepared from the point of view of society as a whole. Risk analysis seeks to anticipate possible risks that may affect the project and ways to avoid or mitigate their consequences on the project. The practical part describes the project "Research Center" which will be implemented in Brod-Posavina County and is designed to support capacity building and strengthen the competitiveness of the regional business sector, mainly SMEs that lack their own capacity for development and innovation. A financial and economic analysis was made and it was determined that the project was worth co-financing.