Launch of the Joint Fund for the Development of Pomurje and Porabje

The funds will be used to support tourism, the economy, agriculture, education, culture and sport in this ethnically mixed border area and are specifically aimed at ensuring the development of the two national communities, namely the Hungarian national community in Pomurje and the Slovenian national community in the Porabje region. Each country has provided 1 million euros for 2024.

This marks the start of the implementation of the agreement concluded by the governments of Slovenia and Hungary in Lendava in 2022. The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development and the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad have prepared, with the support of other ministries and in cooperation with the EGTC and other local stakeholders, the necessary elements to start implementing the agreement.

Specific development projects in the Pomurje and Porabje regions will be co-financed based on a joint cross-border development programme, which has also been approved by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.

The Development Programme identifies the region's development needs and challenges, and sets out three areas of action, namely:

• Development of national communities: strengthening the identity of national communities, preserving cultural heritage, strengthening links with the majority population through the development of cultural infrastructure and supporting the activities of local minority organisations;
• A caring, elderly- and youth-friendly border area: preservation of the settlement and reducing the out-migration of young and educated people from the area and caring for the elderly population, developing education for minorities (where classes are taught in the national language), creating conditions for young and educated people (scholarships, jobs), improving care for the elderly, supporting active ageing;
• Local economic development: support for local businesses, development of tourism and tourist infrastructure (e.g. cycle paths), production and marketing of local products, and development of business infrastructure for SMEs.

The development programme also includes an indicative list of concrete development projects with managers. The programme has been developed with the bottom-up approach, involving institutions, individuals, associations and businesses from both sides of the border in equal participation and dialogue. This strengthens cooperation and exchange at the border, which is crucial for the cultural, linguistic and economic strengthening of both national communities. The founding members of the EGTC Muraba are: the minority self-governments of the Slovenes in the Porabje region and the Hungarians in Pomurje, and the municipalities of Lendava and Monošter.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development and the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad will monitor the implementation of the development programme through membership in the Programme Committee as well as through relevant reports on the implementation of the development programme being approved by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.