First annex to the agreements on the development of region signed for all 12 development regions

The total amount of co-financing made available under the agreements on the development of region stands at 458.54 million euros. The first annex includes projects in the areas of business incubator infrastructure, wastewater collection and treatment, water supply, regional mobility centres and integrated regional transport strategies.

Minister Jevšek stressed in his remarks that the agreement on the development of region was an important regional policy instrument that helped regions strengthen their development capacities based on their own development potentials and global opportunities. "This mechanism aims to improve the quality of life in all regions, reduce the development gaps between regions and help all Slovenian regions catch up with EU regions. Territorial dialogue, a dialogue that builds on partnership and coordination, has a special place in the mechanism’s design process. Only by bringing together the three levels – local, regional and national – can we develop integrated and sustainable solutions that truly improve the quality of life in all our regions," said the Minister.

"Unfortunately, development disparities between Slovenian regions persist. It is no coincidence that we are meeting in the Zasavska region today. The GDP per capita in the Zasavska region in 2023 only slightly surpassed the relevant figure for the Osrednjeslovenska region in 2000. In other words, the 2023 development level of the Zasavska region was that of the Osrednjeslovenska 23 years ago. This is exactly what we are trying to change; and we are changing it through regional development 2.0," added the Minister.

The ministry has submitted draft act amending the act promoting balanced regional development to other ministries for inter-ministerial coordination. The draft is expected to be forwarded to the government in May or June.  

"The aim of the incoming amendments to the balanced regional development act is to give regions a bigger say, allowing them to become more autonomous. We wish to engage regions in territorial dialogue right from the beginning of the preparation of strategic and implementing documents and enable them to have a bigger say on project financing. In short, regions will be the ones making decisions on regional projects in line with their development priorities and goals," explained the Minister.

The Minister further emphasised that cohesion funding under the Just Transition Fund, i.e. funding earmarked solely for the Zasavje and SAŠA coal regions, was an important source of development funding. In this context, a total of nearly 75 million euros has been ring-fenced for measures in the areas of economic development, business infrastructure development as well as education and training in the Zasavska region. These measures will be carried out by different ministries.  

In its role as intermediate body, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development published two calls for proposals for the Zasavska region under the Just Transition Fund in 2023. Four projects were approved for co-financing in the total amount of over 13 million euros. On this occasion, the Minister also signed a co-financing agreement for the project Hrastnik coal mine business zone with Mayor Marko Funkl.