At the Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Visegrad Group and seven other member states of the European Union, which took place in Prague, Czech Republic, Ministers responsible for Cohesion signed a Joint Declaration on the future of Cohesion Policy beyond 2027. The Joint Declaration emphasizes the need for strengthening Cohesion Policy and for the Policy to remain the EU’s main investment policy with the aim of reducing development disparities between EU member states and regions.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Educational activities for people serving a prison sentence.

Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek attended the opening of a photographic exhibition depicting the historical development of the museum and a panel discussion regarding the exhibition at the Park of Military History in Pivka. In his opening address, the Minister underlined that today, 20 years after the concept idea of establishing the museum, it has become one of the most visited museums in Slovenia and it is a success story also in terms of EU funds use.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for 12 Entrepreneurial approach to addressing challenges (PONI) projects across Slovenia. A total of EUR 12,921,484.80 of European Regional Development Fund support will be allocated to the twelve projects.

The first Cohesion Day event was recently held in Ptuj. At the old glassware factory, the building renovated with the help of EU funds and located in the centre of Slovenia’s oldest city, representatives of the state, municipalities, regional development agencies, local communities and businesses discussed the opportunities that the European Cohesion Policy brings to local communities, cities and regions; they also talked about support for innovative businesses.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals for the establishment and operation of the Slovenian Circular Economy Centre – for Green, Creative and Smart Development (JR CKG).

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Smart digital public services.

Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr. Aleksander Jevšek attended the opening of this year's edition of the international trade fair for construction Megra as keynote speaker. In his remarks, the Minister underlined that the trade fair offered not only excellent business opportunities to businesses and individuals in the construction industry but also served as a platform to explore avenues to advance technological development in many areas. On this occasion, the Minister awarded environmental certifications Quality Label in Construction 2024.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals for the implementation of integrated support services for innovative individuals and innovative start-ups 2024-2025 (Start-up consortium) and for the project Small scale incentives via vouchers. The call for proposals and the vouchers will make a total of 21.16 million euros available for start-ups and innovative entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development hosted a panel discussion on the opportunities offered by EU cohesion policy in tackling RDI challenges and needs. This was the third event of this kind; the previous two put spotlight on opportunities for young and old people.

On Friday, 29 March 2024, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development published the first amendment of the invitation to prepare agreements for the development of regions. The agreements will serve as the basis for co-financing projects under European Cohesion Policy objectives in 12 development regions. “The agreements for the development of regions are an important form of allocating EU funding in accordance with the bottom-up principle,” said Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Raising the level of bilingual education of the Hungarian national community in Slovenia and the Slovenian national community in Hungary.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has issued two grant decisions for boosting employment, namely for the project Boosting employment – Zaposli.me+ and for the Call for proposals to co-finance social activation+ projects.

The Slovenian Regional Development Fund has published the call for proposals BIZI Liquidity Energy. The call for proposals, published on the Fund’s website, aims to ensure business entities' liquidity in light of the energy crisis and improve their competitiveness, productivity, and technological equipment by implementing measures to control energy consumption and energy loss.

An event marking the official opening of the revamped nursing home, the largest of its kind in the Pomurje region, was held in Rakičan. The renovation of the nursing home’s central unit was co-funded by the European Union. In his welcoming remarks, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development dr. Aleksander Jevšek underscored that the renovated and modernised nursing home makes an important contribution to improving the quality of life of seniors and of the elderly care in the region.

The 5th session of the Slovenia-Friuli Venezia Giulia Joint Committee that was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon and the President of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia Massimiliano Fedriga was held in Trieste. The State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development also participated in the meeting.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Strengthening the network of offices for employers. The project will receive support from the European Social Fund Plus.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Content support to accelerate the global and sustainable growth of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – DevelopmentPlus Programme.

Minister Jevšek presented the report on the implementation of the European Cohesion Policy (ECP) for 2014–2020 and 2021–2027: “Slovenia concluded the 2014-2020 ECP as one of the more successful EU Member States. We have utilised all the available funds intended for people, the economy and balanced regional development. In 2023, we started implementing the 2021-2027 ECP, and have already issued decisions on support worth EUR 334 million.”

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Upgrading the SOVIR system for early warning, awareness-raising and adaptation to weather-related emergencies in a changing climate.