“As part of 2014-2020 ECP, payments from the state budget as of 29 February 2024 represent 103% of the spending rights in a total value of approximately EUR 3.45 billion. Due to the financial closing, which is still being carried out, this number will most likely change, i.e. increase,” Minister Jevšek said at a press conference after the government session.

The implementation of projects during this programming period was made quite difficult in many areas, mainly due to external unforeseen circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and last year's disastrous floods. For this reason, the European Commission concluded that the financial closing of projects in all EU Member States can also be carried out in 2024. Due to the floods, it was possible to transfer certain projects to the 2021-2027 programming period.

Despite these circumstances, the state managed to utilise all available cohesion funds. Hundreds of different projects were carried out. As examples of major investments financed from the operational programme of the 2014-2020 European Cohesion Policy, the Minister noted:

Transport:

• Upgrade of the existing Maribor - Šentilj - state border railway track. Co-financing amount: EUR 128,605,529
• Part of the second Divača – Koper railway track, (Measure 3). Co-financing amount: EUR 80,000,000

Research:

• Biotechnology hub of the National Institute of Biology. Co-financing amount: EUR 25,788,921.26

Tourism:

• Mountain resorts. Co-financing amount: EUR 55.4 million

In 2023, the 2021-2027 European Cohesion Policy Programme started to be implemented in Slovenia. The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development issued decisions on support worth more than EUR 334 million, which is approximately 10% of all available European cohesion funds. First calls for applications have been published. This programme will be implemented until the end of 2029, so many more decisions on support will be issued and calls for applications conducted by various departments in the coming years.