The Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 was technically coordinated with the European Commission and previously confirmed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and two cohesion regions. According to Dr Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Development and European Cohesion Policy, the European Commission is expected to approve the Programme in December. The first calls are anticipated to be published in spring 2023.

"In a very short time, the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has thus completed one of the most urgent and important tasks, which was also a priority of this Government. Now, we must ensure that the implementation of the projects starts as quickly as possible, as this will guarantee our success in drawing European funds," Minister Jevšek emphasised, noting that the new programming period will be two years shorter than the previous one.

Some time ago, the Government Office also announced certain simplifications in implementation procedures or the spending review of European funds, which would contribute to a more efficient drawing of European funds.

The Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 is one of the fundamental documents enabling Slovenia’s access to some EUR 3.2 billion of European funds for certain policy objectives and technical assistance. Although it concerns the 2021–2027 programming period, the programme will be implemented by the end of 2029.

During this period, Slovenia will have at its disposal (excluding technical assistance):

• EUR 793 million for green and low-carbon transition, investments in solar and wind energy extraction, improving energy efficiency of buildings, flood safety, wastewater collection and treatment;
• EUR 727 million for development, research and innovation, investments in research infrastructure and research capacities, and digitalisation;
• EUR 741 million for social inclusion, employment, education and training;
• EUR 511 million for sustainable and smart mobility, investments in modernisation of public passenger transport, especially railway infrastructure;
• EUR 85 million for territorial approaches such as urban and local development;
• EUR 249 million for the Savinja-Šalek region for phasing out coal and restructuring of the Zasavje region.