The use of EU funds is most often reflected in connection with various projects realized with co-financing from the European Commission, as well as in connection with the amount of funds realized in this way. Such projects are the result of long-term preparations and various activities carried out with the aim of contributing ideas and mobilizing various resources, which are then transformed into concrete proposals with the help of the methodology of project program management. The number of projects, the amount realized, as well as their impact on the development of socio-economic conditions in the Croatian counties, has recently become a widely discussed topic, which more and more authors are dealing with. However, few authors deal with the potential of using EU funds, which is one of the most important determinants of the form, number, amount and scope of project proposals. Considering the project as a consequence and result of a systematic circular process, the absorption capacities become an indispensable and very important condition for the preparation and consequent implementation of the projects. Even though there are certain factors that cannot be influenced, there are others that can be targeted and acted upon. A concrete example is the Croatian districts, whose potential and viability in the use of European funds has yet to be verified. This paper will address the issue of the absorptive capacity of Croatian counties. Several chapters will discuss the current regional policy of the European Union and the strategic framework for the implementation of certain projects, the absorption capacities of the counties themselves based on various analyzes and statistics, and the implications for their improvement. At the end of the paper, a conclusion is drawn on the topic discussed.