News

The working group of State Secretaries discussed and approved draft document of the renewed and renamed Smart Specialisation Strategy (S5) on 23 December 2021.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding under the European Regional Development Fund for the project Designing project documents for the connecting road of the Third Development Axis – Ravne Eastern Bypass. This is another in a series of investments, supported by EU funding, that aims to connect Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals for investment in quality and sustainable transformation of Slovenian tourism sector to strengthen its resilience. The call will be published and managed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and supported by the European Regional Development Fund under the React-EU initiative.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project COVID-19 – Arrangement of the building of the Institute of Occupational Safety of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The project, implemented by the Ministry of Health, will result in adequate equipment of the existing building of the former Institute of Occupational Safety of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana and will receive European Regional Development Fund support under the React-EU instrument.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Drava River basin – Municipality Hoče-Slivnica. The project will receive Cohesion Fund support and will result in established wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in the area of Radizela and Spodnje Hoče.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Maribor riverfront redevelopment – Lent. The ERDF-supported project will foster Maribor waterfront regeneration, making the famous Lent bank and the promenade along the Drava River a vibrant urban place offering opportunities for social interaction, recreation, cultural events or just a pleasant place to sit and relax.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs attended an evening discussion on Cohesion Policy. The on-line event was organised by the info point Europe Direct Novo mesto and the Development Centre Novo mesto. The State Secretary drew attention to the important role Cohesion Policy funds play in ensuring a balanced regional development and went on to present the priorities supported by the NextGenerationEU instrument and the entities eligible to the funding available under the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs today gave closing remarks at the webinar marking the launch of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2021. In her speech, State Secretary called for action.

The Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy approved EU funding for three cycle projects between mid-November and mid-December 2021; new bikeways in Kranj, Ptuj and Murska Sobota will be developed with the help of EU funding. The three investments are the latest in a series of projects that aim to foster sustainable mobility and provide safe and comfortable cycling routes. Over the past seven years, a total of EUR 115 million has been invested in cycling infrastructure, which resulted in the development of some 490 kilometers of bikeways across Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project COVID-19 – Arrangement of premises for Intermediate Care Department – renovation of the old department of internal medicine at the Novo mesto General Hospital. The EUR 6 million project that will be implemented by the Ministry of Health will receive a substantial contribution from the European Regional Development Fund under the React-EU initiative in the amount of. EUR 3.8 million.

As part of the government visit to the region, the Minister for Development and European Cohesion Policy today met with the officials from the municipalities of Kranjska Gora, Žirovnica and Cerklje na Gorenjskem and with the CEOs of the Public Utility Company Tabre and the NGEN company to discuss EU funding opportunities.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved over EUR 1.1 million from the European Regional Development Fund to support the project Restoration of the Rafutski Park and design of park entrances. The project is the latest in a series of similar EU-funded redevelopment projects that foster efficient use of space in urban areas. Over the past seven years, the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has dedicated EUR 77.3 million in EU funding to investments that foster town revitalisation.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 764.5 thousand of European Regional Development Fund contribution for a project, implemented under the Agreement on the Development of the Region, for setting up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Kranj. This is the first project supported by the ESI funds focusing entirely on EV charging stations; thus far EV charging stations were supported under Park and Ride projects resulting in around one hundred parking units offering EV charging.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs and State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture dr. Ignacija Fridl Jarc today attended the conference of the Center for Creativity as special guests to deliver introductory remarks on the occasion of the launch of the call for proposals Promotion of cultural and creative industries – Centre for Creativity 2022. The call for proposals will receive ERDF co-financing.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 627,000 from the Cohesion Fund for the project Deep energy renovation of Building 14 in the Baron Andrej Čehovin Barracks. The project is the latest in a series of projects aiming to improve energy efficiency in the public sector with the help of EU funding. In the current programming period, over EUR 107 million have been dedicated to energy renovation of public buildings.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs today participated in the Vanguard Initiative Annual Political Meeting. The Vanguard Initiative is a network of over 30 European regions that made a political commitment to use their smart specialisation strategies to advance technological developments and stimulate industrial modernisation through interregional collaboration.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 11 million from European Regional Development Fund for the project Drafting documents for the construction of the highway for section 2 of Third Development Axis – North from junction Velenje South to junction Slovenj Gradec South. The investment is the latest in a series of investments supported by EU funding that aim to connect Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 1.67 million from European Regional Development Fund for the project Arrangement of the city centre – the Rozmanova ulica Street and the Prešernov trg Square. The project is the latest in a series of projects which use EU funding for promoting efficient use of space in urban areas.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs was invited by the Director of the Bank Association of Slovenia to attend an online event Slovenian Bankers’ Day to discuss the role of banks in the post-pandemic economic recovery. She outlined priority intervention areas identified in the national Recovery and Resilience Plan and for the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027.

In the frame of the Government visit to Southeast Slovenia Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač met with the mayors of the municipality of Moravske Toplice and Turnišče. In Lendava the Minister tried out the electric bike renting system by taking a bicycle ride to visit the transnational cooperation project IronCurtainCycling and the location where new housing units will be built in Lendava.

Slovenian delegation, led by State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, today participated in the first South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy Monitoring Committee meeting which was held online. The Monitoring Committee consists of delegations from the countries covered by the SEE 2030 Strategy, i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Republic of North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey and a representative of the Regional Cooperation Council secretariat.

At the meeting of the General Affairs Council, the ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy underlined the contribution of Cohesion Policy to reducing and eliminating development gaps, to the green transformation and digital transition and to the economic, social and territorial cohesion. The ministers gave green light to the inclusion of San Marino in the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

As part of the Government visit to the Jugovzhodna Slovenija region, Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač attended a meeting with the mayors of the municipalities Kostel and Dobrepolje, tried the traditional preparation of bread in the Sitarjeva hiša house in Dolenjske Toplice, which was renovated with the help of EU funds, met with the management staff of the REM d.o.o. company in Trebnje which successfully draws EU funding to support its further development, and visited the renovated Glavni trg square together with the mayor of Novo mesto.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs today attended the 17th meeting of the Presidency of the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia to inform the mayors of Slovenian municipalities on most recent developments concerning the use of EU funds by 2030.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs addressed the participants of the 3rd conference on civil engineering, spatial planning and environment which this year focused on amendments of the legislation pertaining to construction and spatial planning in light of the priorities of the EU recovery and resilience funds. State Secretary presented the investment priorities supported by the European Cohesion Policy funds and the Recovery and Resilience facility in the frame of construction and environment projects.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 307,000 in ERDF funding for the Call for proposals for a stronger supportive environment for social enterprises. The call is the latest in a series of projects aiming to foster dynamic and competitive entrepreneurship for green growth.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funds for the project COVID19 – Arrangement of an intermediate care department of Murska SObota General Hospital. The project worth EUR 8.9 million will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and will receive EUR 5 million of European Regional Development Fund contribution under the React-EU initiative. This year Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has already approved EUR 71 million to help strengthen Slovenia’s healthcare system.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs attended the Smart Country Convention 2021. In the panel “Successful Digital Transformation of the Civil Society and the Public Sector: Stories from Female Leaders” she presented the priorities of Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of digitalisation, best practices and how female leaders view the process of digitalisation.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Drava River basin – Municipality Dravograd. The project focuses on establishing public wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in the Vič agglomeration.

As part of the Government’s visit to the Obalno–kraška region Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač met, together with the Prime Minister, with the mayors of the region and the representatives of the Sežana Business Incubator.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs today met with the officials of the Municipality of Izola which acts as project partner of Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy in the strategic project EUSAIR Facility Point. She also visited Izolana, the House of the Sea, a product of cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Croatia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funds for the project COVID19 – Provision of premises for Intermediate Care Department of University Medical Centre Maribor. The EUR 8.9 million project that will be implemented by the Ministry of Health will receive a substantial contribution from the European Regional Development Fund under the React-EU initiative, i.e. EUR 6.8 million. This year alone, Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy approved EUR 66 million to help strengthen Slovenia's health sector.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs yesterday attended the Podravje Region Development Conference which was held in Lenart v Slovenskih goricah. She talked about the funding opportunities offered by the EU Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Posavje Regional Development Agency invited State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs to take part in an online conference Posavje Development Outlook 2021-2027. The State Secretary talked about the programming process and explained how ESI funds are programmed and planned for the upcoming 2021-2027 period. She also touched on possible complementarities with other funding sources.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs attended the consultation Vision of the Research and Innovation Strategy for effective twin transition hosted by the strategic research and innovation partnership Materials as End Products (SRIP MATPRO). At the event, State Secretary presented the investment priorities of EU Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 from the viewpoint of reforming Slovenia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4).

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved European Regional Development Fund support for the project ITI Setting up systems for traffic calming, informing urban passenger transport users and directing drivers to parking areas. The said project falls under a series of projects aiming to improve road user safety and reduce traffic congestion.

In the frame the Government visit to the Zasavje region Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač visited the municipality Litija and Trbovlje. State Secretary at the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs visited municipality Zagorje ob Savi.

Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač today participated in the High-Level Forum on Regional Recovery and Resilience which was jointly organised by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Lipica, Slovenia. The Forum put spotlight on ways to ensure synergies between EU Cohesion Policy and Recovery and Resilience Facility by strengthening partnerships between EU, national, regional and local authorities. It was organised in a hybrid format as part of the programme of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs addressed the participants of the event Meeting of a supportive environment for entrepreneurship from the Koroška region that took place in Slovenj Gradec.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs addressed the participants of the on-line event, organised by the European Committee of the Regions, Cohesion as a value – benefits and costs for young people of transitioning to a post Covid-19 world.

EU grants to improve flood preparedness and response capacity of civil protection teams at all levels, including of volunteer and professional fire departments, Mountain Rescue Service, Cave Rescue Service and other relevant teams

The State Secretary attended the annual Business and Construction Industry Trends Conference. This year's edition of the event revolved around the issue of ‘’Ways to make best use of the rising investment for sustainable growth’’. At the panel ‘’Investments in green and sustainable building – European Commission guidelines and good practices’’, the State Secretary talked about the investment areas under the Cohesion Policy and Recovery and Resilience Facility.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs took part in the roundtable on European Union in the 21st century which was held in the scope of the Autumn School at the European Faculty of Law of New University. She underlined the importance of EU funds for the achievement of strategic objectives of the European Union.

For the tenth year in a row, events are held under the auspices of the European Commission across Europe to mark the European Cooperation Day. The events aim to highlight the achievements and benefits of cross-border cooperation between EU regions and member states. On Saturday, visitors at the ‘’Picnic of Projects’’ event had the opportunity to see first-hand the results of five cross-border projects that were implemented under the Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A Slovenia-Hungary 2014-2020.

Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač gave opening remarks at the 9th Conference on the Evaluation of EU Cohesion Policy which was organised in Porto, Portugal. Minister Černač joined the conference via an online platform at the invitation of the European Commission in his capacity as current chair of the council consisting of EU ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy.

As part of the European Cooperation Day, Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy presented the impacts of projects implemented in the framework of the Interreg Slovenia-Croatia Cooperation Programme 2014-2020.

As part of the Government visit to the Savinjska region, Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač visited the municipalities Podčetrtek, Nazarje and Žalec. State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs also attended the visit to the Savinjska region and visited the municipalities Rogaška Slatina and Zreče.

Between July and mid-September 2021 alone, Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy approved EU funding for the development of nearly 230 kilometers of new cycling connections across the country. The new cycling infrastructure will promote sustainable mobility and allow cyclists to enjoy in safe and comfortable rides to and between local and regional centers.

For the tenth time in a row, European Cooperation Day events are taking place across Europe under the auspices of the European Commission. On Friday, 10 September 2021, we presented the achievements and the significance of cross-border cooperation projects in the border area of Gorenjska by hiking to Zelenica.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs met today with the representatives of the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia. They discussed the implementation of municipal and regional projects in the framework of the Agreements on the Development of Regions, and the allocation of the 2014-2020 EU funding for the already-approved projects. The mayors hope that the mechanism would also be designed for the financial perspective 2021-2027. They also exchanged views regarding the ITI mechanism (Integrated Territorial Investments) and the CLLD mechanism (Community-led Local Development) as well as the future of European Cohesion Policy.