Introductory remarks were delivered by Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek. He stressed that since March, when the first meeting of the Monitoring Committee took place, the ministry had prepared and signed the relevant legal bases and guidelines to ensure the kick-start of the 2021-2027 programme. ''We have the first calls out and the first projects have already been given a go-ahead. So far, over 60 million euros have been made available under the calls. We expect to make a total of 180 million euros available by the end of the year,'' said the Minister.

The Minister highlighted that the ministry worked round the clock in the past few months to prepare the application for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund after the devastating floods that hit Slovenia in early August. The application was prepared together with the relevant line ministries and with the support of the European Commission and external experts. Minister Jevšek took the opportunity to thank everyone for the good work. ''Now, we will have to focus on the amendment of the Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 and the work ahead of us. The ministry will prepare the necessary documents for this exercise. In this context, the pace and the progress of the projects that will help reduce the impacts of the floods to contribute to greater resilience in the future will be of key importance. We will further strive for a continuous and open dialogue with the services of the European Commission to jointly find best solutions for all Slovenian citizens,'' he continued.  

State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development and Chair of the Monitoring Committee mag. Marko Koprivc underlined the importance of the Monitoring Committee and of its heterogeneous and broad composition stressing that the discussion on the European Cohesion Policy must be all-inclusive. ''Our ministry has already held an event to present and discuss the opportunities and avenues offered by Cohesion Policy in tackling the challenges facing seniors and meeting their needs. A similar event that will put spotlight on young people is planned by the end of the year,'' explained State Secretary.

Opening remarks were also delivered by the representatives of the European Commission, Mr Egbert Holthuis and Mr Zsolt Szokolai.

The members of the Monitoring Committee took note of the progress made in the implementation of the 2021-2027 programme. They got acquainted with the strategic operations, and the plans for 2023 and 2024. They also took note of the activities of the Certifying Authority and the Audit Authority, of the communication activities for the 2021-2027 period, of the draft evaluation plan, and of the proposal for the modification of selection criteria under the new 2021-2027 programme. The New European Bauhaus initiative was also presented.  

The Monitoring Committee of Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 is composed of the representatives of ministries and government offices, economic and social partners, NGOs and organisations advocating gender equality, regional, local, urban, and other public authorities, disability organisations, research organisations, and universities. The Monitoring Committee has altogether 43 members and is chaired by mag. Marko Koprivc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. Representatives of the European Commission participate in the meetings of the Monitoring Committee in an advisory capacity.