4 December 2024 – Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway launched the New Civil Society Fund through the EEA and Norway Grants to strengthen democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across Europe. The fund will focus even more on the core mission of advancing democratic values and processes in the EU, as well as the development and sustainability of civil society organisations.
The EEA Civil Society Fund seeks to empower civil society organisations across Europe by providing targeted support to those advocating for democratic values, civic participation, and human rights.
The fund will focus on areas essential for the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. These include:
Democratic values, civic engagement, information integrity and media literacy.
Civil society participation in democratic processes.
Human rights, anti-discrimination, and social justice.
Gender equality, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and LGBTIQ+ rights.
Climate action, environmental protection, and a just green transition.
Organisational development and an enabling environment for civil society.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Donor States and the EU to defend democratic values and uphold principles enshrined in the EU Treaty and Charter of Fundamental Rights. Civil society organizations will play a crucial role in addressing disinformation, hate speech, and threats to independent media.
Civil society organisations supported by the fund will work with diverse target groups, including women, youth, minorities, migrants, refugees, LGBTIQ+ people, and Roma communities. The fund will ensure that these groups, especially those in underserved geographic areas, are actively involved in democratic processes, focussing on advocacy, civic engagement, and policy development to amplify their voices in shaping public policy. By empowering marginalized groups and fostering partnerships, the fund seeks to build a resilient civil society capable of safeguarding democracy and promoting social justice across Europe.
Call for Fund Operators to manage the EEA Civil Society Fund
The EEA and Norway Grants are seeking Fund Operators to manage the newly launched EEA Civil Society Fund in each Beneficiary State. Eligible applicants include civil society organisations and private institutions with proven expertise in these areas. Applicants must be independent of local, regional, and central government, as well as political parties and religious institutions.
National Stakeholder Consultations and Information Sessions
In addition, between December 2024 and March 2025, the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) is organising national stakeholder consultations for the new EEA Civil Society Fund and information sessions for potential bidders for the role of the Fund Operator.
Read more about the national stakeholder consultations and information sessions HERE.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme Projects
The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme aimed at strengthening institutional capacities and implementing pilot projects. Actions focused on sustainable mobility, restoration of Natura 2000 ecosystems, circular economy, and promoting the use of geothermal energy and other less established renewable energy sources. Five selected projects under this programme were presented at the conference.
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The ReNature project, which focused on improving the management of ecosystems under climate change pressure, was presented by Alenka Volk from the Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency. The ReNature project addressed the restoration of wetlands and grasslands important for Natura 2000 species and habitat types.
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The studioKroG project, which focused on increasing the application of circular economy principles, was presented by Danilo Čeh, Director of Scientific Research Centre Ptuj. The studioKroG project presented innovative green solutions with a holistic approach to the reuse and re-design of waste materials.
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The SI-Geo-Electricity project, which focused on increasing renewable energy production, was presented by Štefan Kozjan from Petrol Geo, production of hydrocarbons, Ltd. The SI-Geo-Electricity pilot project was designed as a demonstration project to increase the use of geothermal energy.
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The LEAP project, which also focused on increasing the application of circular economy principles, was presented by Gregor Čepon from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana. The idea of the LEAP project was to replace plastic packaging (EPS) with more sustainable materials.
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The SmartMOVE project was presented by Klemen Gostič from the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region. The project focused on managing sustainable mobility in the most congested locations in Ljubljana and around the city, a key transport hub in the country. The project addressed sustainable mobility management in the most congested locations in and around Ljubljana. With mobility plans designed for five organisations at key transport hotspots, the project has established an important foundation for the further spread of sustainable mobility practices in Slovenia. Through the pilot introduction of dynamic group transport, the project has introduced a flexible and ecological alternative to private transport that avoids traffic congestion and reduces travel times.
Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship Programme Projects
This was followed by presentations of five projects implemented under the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. The programme aimed at strengthening human capital and supporting the development of competencies for the 21st century, the development of the creative economy, better-linking education and training with the real environment, and the development of support measures for the inclusion in life and work of specific groups that are excluded or have less access to support systems.
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The SCHOOL21 project, which focused on improving institutional cooperation at all levels of education, was presented by Mirjam Bizjak, Headmistress of the France Prešeren Gymnasium. The project was aimed at improving the education system in Slovenia, with a focus on preparing young people for life in the 21st century. Particular emphasis was placed on the introduction of the outdoor teaching and learning method, which is very present in Norway. The project also included the establishment of outdoor classrooms at the France Prešeren Elementary School and the France Prešeren Gymnasium in Kranj.
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The Barnahus project, which focused on improving skills for good governance and cooperation in the provision of services for child victims of various forms of violence, was presented by Andrej del Fabro and Tjaša Salamon Truden from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia. The pre-defined project House for Children (Barnahus) has established the location of a children’s house in Slovenia.
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The TERA project, which focused on improving work-life balance, was presented by Ana Pavlič from the Gender Equality Research Institute Maribor. The TERA project addressed the challenges of work-life balance in a rural environment. The project created training on gender stereotypes, traditional gender roles and work-life balance challenges.
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The KOR-NET project, which focused its project activities on improving education and social environment to support disadvantaged groups, was presented by Aleksandra Gantar from the Dravit Dravograd Public Institute for Sports, Tourism, Culture and Youth Activities. The project aimed to strengthen the support environment for young people in Carinthia region and reduce the brain drain, while at the same time equalising opportunities for all young people, especially those from demographically deprived areas, and empowering them to participate actively in public life and the labour market. The project also set up 13 workstations in Carinthia to improve access to information and services for young people in the region.
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The Heritage School for the New Generations project, which also focused on improving institutional cooperation at all levels of education, was presented by Mateja Hafner Dolenc from the Association of Historic Towns of Slovenia. The project aimed to bring cultural heritage closer to elementary school teachers and pupils, as it is not very well represented in the curricula. New teaching practices make it easy to integrate examples from cultural heritage and renewal skills into the teaching of certain selected topics within existing subject curricula and activity days.
Active Citizens Fund Projects
Five standout projects funded by the Active Citizens Fund were presented, emphasizing their contributions to sustainable development and the empowerment of the non-governmental sector. The Active Citizens Fund enabled meaningful responses to pressing societal challenges, supporting initiatives in democracy, active citizenship, good governance, transparency, human rights, social justice, the inclusion of vulnerable groups, gender equality, and climate change. Centered on people and communities, the Fund encouraged NGOs to tackle issues they identified as critical.
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The From institutions to people project, which focused on increasing support for civic education and human rights, was presented by Darja Farasin from the Museum of Madness. The main aim of the project was to raise awareness among young people about human rights violations in institutions in Slovenia and to bring about social change towards the abolition of institutions and the promotion of community-based social protection services.
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The Think Before You Park project, which focused on strengthening the advocacy role of NGOs, was presented by Marko Kušar from the Association for Mobility of People with Disabilities Moja Pot. The project focused on raising public awareness about the importance of correct parking to ensure smooth mobility for people with reduced mobility.
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The My School, My Vote! project, which focused on increasing support for civic education and human rights, was presented by Matevž Hrženjak from the Association Organization for Participatory Society. The main aim of the project was to create a political space within the school system where young people can learn about participatory democracy and actively try it out.
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The Caretakers of Natural Forests project, which focused on strengthening the advocacy role of NGOs, was presented by Urša Očko from the DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia. The Caretakers of Natural Forests project was created as a response to the deteriorating nature conservation status of Slovenian forests, which has been caused by increasingly intensive management in recent years.
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The No Barriers to Equality project, which focused on empowering vulnerable groups, was presented by Furkan Guner from the Association for Intercultural Dialogue. This project addressed challenges such as social injustice, stigmatisation, and discrimination that migrants and refugees often face.
Working Together for a Green, Competitive and Inclusive Europe
The projects of the 2014-2021 programming period have contributed to the development and quality of life in different parts of Slovenia through their results. These projects have created new partnerships while transferring knowledge and good practices. The Grants have also contributed significantly to strengthening long-term bilateral relations between Slovenia and the donor countries, both at the national level and between institutions and individuals at the programme and project levels. By sharing successful national policies and good practices, the Grants have contributed to a green, competitive and inclusive Europe.
22 October 2024 – Marking the conclusion of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 period, we have produced a presentation brochure on the programmes and projects that have been implemented during this period and operated by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development.
16 October 2024 – The closing conference of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Slovenia took place in Ljubljana, presenting a fragment of all the activities and projects that have been implemented during the period and have contributed to the key objectives of the Grants.
The key objectives of the Grants are to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to strengthen bilateral relations between Donor States – Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – and Beneficiary States, including Slovenia.
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The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development acts as the managing authority for the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Slovenia and is also the Programme Operator of three programmes, namely Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and the Fund for Bilateral Relations. The conference was also attended by the Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGO (CNVOS) representatives, who, in consortium with the Legal and Information Centre Maribor (Institute PIP) and the Society for the Advancement of Voluntary Work Novo Mesto (DRPD Novo Mesto), manages the Active Citizens Fund.
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In his opening address, the Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, stressed that the 20th anniversary of EU membership also marks the beginning of cooperation between our country and donor states in the framework of financial mechanisms. He added that “these are unique mechanisms, which are also the cornerstone of cooperation between Slovenia and donor states. The activities of both financial mechanisms follow the common objective of cooperation to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe. 41 projects have been implemented in all Slovenian regions under these programmes, involving 229 Slovenian and donor project partners. I am convinced that the results of the projects have contributed to the development and quality of life in different parts of Slovenia.”
The Minister thanked the donor states and their representatives for their continued support, as well as all the staff, project promoter and partners, numerous regional and local actors, institutions and NGOs for their initiatives and the successful implementation of the projects.
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Herman Baskår, Deputy Ambassador at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Budapest, responsible also for Slovenia, thanked the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development and other stakeholders involved in implementing the programmes for efficient work done. He stressed that Slovenia had ensured good cooperation between Slovenian and donor project partners.
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Aurélien Dierckens, representing the Financial Mechanisms Office (FMO) in Brussels, highlighted Slovenia’s success in implementing all its programmes and discussed the upcoming 2021-2028 programming period. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you to the National Focal Point and the national authorities for their efforts in organising this closing event. It provides an excellent opportunity for the FMO to connect with project promoters and review the outcomes.”
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The conference was highlighted by a cultural presentation from KUD Transformator, which performed an excerpt from the play Every Other One Catches One. This play was produced as part of the project Gender Equality Rules: Creating an Equal Society for Everyone, co-financed by the Active Citizens Fund. Every Other One Catches One addresses the pressing issues of gender-based violence and inequality, both within the cultural sphere and beyond. Through personal narratives and striking visual representations, the creators expose deeply ingrained patterns of patriarchal violence, silence, fear, and stigma. By intertwining themes of love and hate with contemporary issues, the performance creates a powerful and thought-provoking work of art. Its goal is to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and shift societal and legislative perspectives on sexual violence. The performance not only portrays these crucial issues but also actively engages the audience, inviting reflection and discussion on vital social topics.
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Jadranka Plut, Head of the Sector for Financial Mechanism at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, discussed the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Slovenia. In her address, she outlined the key achievements of the Grants during this period, noting that Slovenia had been allocated €37.7 million. She highlighted the success of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme, which supported the implementation of 17 projects that collectively reduced annual CO2 emissions by 5,000 tonnes. “This is an important step towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement,” she said while emphasizing that significant challenges remain. The Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship, and Youth Entrepreneurship programme enabled 24 projects involving over 1,500 young people. These initiatives provided valuable skill development and fostered partnerships with organizations in Norway and Iceland, strengthening Slovenia’s competitiveness within the European Economic Area. In the area of social inclusion, more than 24 projects have been realised with the support of the Grants, directly benefiting 4,000 individuals – primarily long-term unemployed and young people – contributing to a 15% reduction in unemployment. Lastly, Plut emphasised the importance of bilateral cooperation, with over 30 joint initiatives implemented. “This collaboration has laid a strong foundation for future partnerships and the deepening of ties between countries,” she concluded.
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Goran Forbici, Director of the Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGO (CNVOS), spoke about the implementation of the Active Citizens Fund, one of the programmes supported by the EEA and Norway Grants in the 2014–2021 period. In his address, he emphasized the remarkable accomplishments of the Active Citizens Fund. These included the preservation of natural habitats for species such as the Black Stork, Wild Cock, Little Flycatcher, and Cotton-footed Chuk; the protection of Anhovo from new industrial pollution; and the active participation of more than 30,000 people in various project initiatives. Forbici also highlighted other significant achievements, such as the introduction of the “only yes means yes” principle of consent, the successful fundraising campaign for the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), and the elimination of unequal voting rights for people with disabilities. He stressed that these and many other milestones have greatly contributed to improving the quality of life in Slovenia. Concluding his remarks, Forbici urged that “today’s event should mark the beginning of a new path and fresh collaborations. There is still much work ahead, and only through collective efforts can we build a better future.”
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The second cultural highlight of the day was a captivating singing and folklore performance by pupils from the Elementary School Ivan Grohar from Škofja Loka, led by their teachers. Elementary School Ivan Grohar was a project partner in the Heritage School for the New Generations project, supported by the Norway Grants. The project successfully bridged the gap between primary education and cultural heritage, which has traditionally had limited representation in school curricula.
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The closing conference of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Slovenia showcased numerous achievements and projects that have played a key role in reducing economic and social disparities, while also strengthening bilateral relations between Slovenia and the donor states. The event highlighted successful initiatives in areas such as climate change, education, and civil society, with participants emphasizing the ongoing need for collaboration.
More in-depth coverage of the project presentations will be featured in the upcoming article.
3 October 2024 – Marking the conclusion of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme, implemented under the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014–2021, a conference on Renewable Energy Production Challenges was held in Ljubljana on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.
The conference focused on renewable energy production and its challenges while showcasing three projects supported by the EEA Financial Mechanism in the field of energy production from less established renewable energy sources in Slovenia.
The event began with an opening speech by Marko Koprivc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, who emphasised the significant role of the EEA and Norway Grants. He highlighted that “17 projects, involving more than 90 partners, have been successfully implemented, contributing to increased energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy system, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Marko Koprivc also expressed his sincere appreciation to all project partners and organisations for their invaluable contributions to these accomplishments.
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Herman Baskår, representing the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Budapest, also delivered a welcoming address. He commended the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development for their efforts in organising the event. In his speech, Herman Baskår noted, “Although the current financial mechanism period is approaching its conclusion, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the European Union have already signed an agreement about the next period of Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2021–2028.”
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Svein Terje Båtvik from the Norwegian Environment Agency provided insights into collaboration with eight beneficiary countries during the current period. His presentation outlined the agency’s involvement in various environmental programmes across these countries.
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Representatives from several countries took the stage to share how they’ve tackled environmental challenges with the support of the EEA financial mechanism and the Norwegian financial mechanism. Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia each contributed insights. Jadranka Plut, Head of the Financial Mechanisms Division at Slovenia’s Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, detailed Slovenia’s efforts under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme. She emphasised the programme’s role in expanding the share of renewable energy, stating, “The EEA Financial Mechanism has played a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy in our country.”
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The next session featured Gabriel Mezang Nkodo, also from the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, who examined the renewable energy sector within the broader context of European policy, stressing its importance for climate change mitigation.
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Uroš Fink from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Energy followed with a presentation on future co-financing opportunities for renewable energy projects. He highlighted the implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution in Slovenia, showcasing its potential for further development.
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Roger Bymolt from the Financial Mechanisms Office provided an update on the upcoming period of the EEA Financial Mechanisms and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021–2028.
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At the conference, three key projects supported by the EEA Financial Mechanism were presented, each focusing on renewable energy production. Andrej Lapanje from the Geological Survey of Slovenia introduced the INFO-GEOTHERMAL project, which focuses on geothermal energy production.
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Dr. Mojca Božič from Hydropower company Dravske elektrarne Maribor followed with a presentation on SI-Geo-Electricity, a demonstration project also addressing geothermal energy.
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The final project, SOPOREM, was presented by Tina Bizjak from the Port of Koper. This project focuses on solar energy by installing two solar power plants – one at the Port of Koper and another on the roof of a parking garage in the Municipality of Koper.
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The conference concluded with a presentation of the Green Penguin project, supported by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism under the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. Tamara Ćetković from ISKRAEMECO explained how the project addressed climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions.
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The Conference on Renewable Energy Production Challenges highlighted the key challenges and opportunities in renewable energy and stressed the importance of international cooperation.
3 October 2024 – On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, a one-day field visit showcasing exemplary ecosystem management practices took place in Slovenia. The event was organised as part of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme, marking the conclusion of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021.
The Vice-Mayor of Divača, Mario Benkoč, welcomed participants at the Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency. He expressed gratitude to the donor countries for their support through the EEA Financial Mechanism and emphasized the tangible improvements achieved because of the provided funds.
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Following his remarks, Jadranka Plut, Head of the Financial Mechanisms Division at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, addressed the gathering. She stated, “We are here today to witness the inspiring projects made possible by the support of EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme. This progress has only been achieved through the committed collaboration of project promoters, project partners and the invaluable support from donor countries, to whom we express our deepest gratitude.”
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Ahead of the site visits, two key ecosystem management projects were presented. Dr. Renata Rozman, representing the Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency, introduced the ReNature project, emphasizing the critical role of biodiversity in tackling climate change. She underscored the significance of wetlands and grasslands as vital carbon sinks and explained in detail the project’s efforts in restoring 45 hectares of grasslands and nine wetlands, including karst ponds and other small water reservoirs. A new management model was also established to ensure the long-term preservation of these ecosystems.
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Miha Drobnič, speaking on behalf of the Municipality of Grosuplje, presented the ZAGON project that addressed resilience of ecosystems that are most under the pressure of climate change. He highlighted that “the project developed a management plan for the Nature Park Radensko Polje, including the purchase of over 18,500 square meters of land and the establishment of a circular educational trail.”
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Exploring the Impact of the ReNature Project on the Field
The field visit continued with an on-site exploration of the ReNature project’s results. Borut Kokalj and Dr. Renata Rozman from the Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency led the tour, showcasing the restored wetlands and grasslands. They discussed challenges such as landscape overgrowth and the importance of biodiversity preservation in managing these ecosystems. Borut Kokalj noted, “Many ponds required complete restoration, which involved excavating sediments and adding a layer of clay to create winter habitats for wildlife.”
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The event offered participants a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in sustainable ecosystem management, focusing on addressing the impacts of climate change.
Under the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, one project contributing to improving the skills and competencies of persons involved in blended learning has been implemented with the EEA Grants support. By strengthening teachers’ pedagogical and digital competencies, while fostering innovative didactic approaches for blended learning, this project has developed sustainable solutions that will continue to support educators and students in addressing the challenges of education.
Project BlendVET
The pre-defined project Blended Learning in Vocational Education and Training(BlendVET), whose project promoter is The institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training, focused on developing pedagogical and digital competencies of teachers and developing didactic strategies for implementing blended learning. The project developed school strategies for the introduction of blended learning, with participating schools, supported by universities, designing strategies for the effective integration of these methods. Besides that, workshops for teachers were carried out to familiarise teachers with the relevant didactic techniques and tools for blended learning. The project also focused on developing interactive learning materials, including videos, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and learning games. These materials are designed to provide students with a more dynamic and engaging learning experience. Partner schools and eight additional Slovenian schools have gained access to digital technology and applications for creating and utilising interactive 360° videos, as well as virtual and augmented reality learning materials. A series of workshops on digital technologies and applications was designed and conducted in collaboration with the Academic and Research Network of Slovenia (ARNES) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana. The materials and training are still available after the end of the project in the project’s online classroom: https://kipsi.si/.
Project partners are The Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, The Upper-secondary VET School Trbovlje, The School Centre Novo mesto, The School Centre Celje , The Upper-secondary VET School Koper, Norwegian project partners The Østfold University College, The Åssiden Upper Secondary School, The Viken Higher Vocational College and Icelandic project partners The University of Akureyri and The Akureyri Comprehensive College.
This programme emphasizes connecting education with practical experience, supporting vulnerable groups, balancing work life and private life, and strengthening institutional capacities for good governance. The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills and the National Agency for International Education Affairs from Liechtenstein are key partners in its implementation.
Contribution to Improving Education and the Social Environment for Disadvantaged Groups
Under the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, seven projects contributing to education and the social environment for disadvantaged groups have been implemented with support from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. These projects have driven the development of innovative solutions aimed at empowering young people, reducing unemployment, and fostering entrepreneurial and social competencies. The collaborative efforts of the participating organizations and project partners have created lasting positive impacts that will continue to support youth and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.
Project Career Centre Posavje
The Career Centre Posavje project, led by the Regional Development Agency Posavje, has established an innovative approach to improving the employability of young people in the Posavje region. The project has created a digital support environment to enhance the employability of young people. Key achievements include a comprehensive survey of employers’ needs, and the labour market conditions, the establishment of a youth support network, the exchange of good practices with a Norwegian partner and the delivery of a 40-hour training course for career counsellors. Over 253 individual counselling sessions were conducted, along with 19 events to develop informal skills, and an online platform was launched to connect youth with regional employers. To support these activities, a space in the attic of the Mencinger House in Krško was renovated, ensuring ongoing support for young people on their career paths. The project also involved key regional stakeholders including the Centre for Youth and Sport Krško, the Institute of Adult Education Krško, the Regional Chamber of Craft and Small Business Krško, the Municipality of Krško, and Collective Innovation.
The KOR-NET project, whose project promoter is the Dravit Dravograd Public Institute for Sports, Tourism, Culture and Youth Activities, aimed to strengthen the support environment for young people in Carinthia and reduce the brain drain, while at the same time equalising opportunities for all young people, especially those from demographically deprived areas, and empowering them to participate actively in public life and the labour market. The project activities were based on cooperation between youth organisations, the business world, and educational institutions, which helped to establish the Virtual Youth Incubator of Carinthia and 13 youth workstations across the region. Workshops, camps, seminars and events were organised to develop soft skills and entrepreneurial competences. The project activities also led to the creation of a handbook of good practices in the field of youth work. Project partners included in the project are Public Institute for Tourism, Sports, Youth and Social Programs SPOTUR Slovenj Gradec, Kompleks Youth Culture Centre, the Regional Chamber of Craft and Small Business Ravne na Koroškem, A. L. P. PECA Company for Product Development and Marketing, and Bjerkaker LearningLab.
The NEKSTEP project, whose project promoter is the Adult Education Centre Koper, provided young people in local communities with workshops on entrepreneurship and career orientation, individual counselling, mentor training, and networking opportunities. More than 350 young people took part in the career orientation workshops, preparing themselves for the job market. The workshops taught them how to design a CV and prepare for a job interview, while exploring digital tools, learning the basics of coding, discovering less common professions and meeting employers in the local area. Special attention was placed on young people considering entrepreneurship, with more than 180 young people taking part in entrepreneurship workshops. The project also included refresher training for 50 mentors and counsellors on creative methods for working with youth. One of the project’s highlights was the »Karierijada«, a Career Olympiad combining a hackathon, career workshops and speed meetings with employers. To ensure the sustainability of the results, the project partners have produced a range of materials that will remain freely accessible on their websites after the end of the project. The project also involved project partners such as the Adult Education Centre Sežana, the Središče Rotunda, Social Centre in the Littoral Region, and the International Development Norway.
The PoMP project, whose project promoter is the Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj, has established a comprehensive and sustainable support environment to encourage young people to think entrepreneurially and to develop entrepreneurial ideas. A key part of the project was the PoMP Academy, which provided teachers and mentors from primary and secondary schools with practical tools, methodologies, and training modules for teaching entrepreneurship. The Academy delivered 20 hours of specialised training to 75 teachers from 41 schools. The project led to the implementation of 20 pilot entrepreneurship workshops across the country, involving 379 pupils and 38 teachers. In addition, the project activities included the exchange of good practices with Norwegian partners and the establishment of a network of entrepreneurial schools and support institutions to enable the sustainability of the project. Project partners included in the project are the Primorska Technology Park, Development Centre Novo mesto, the Technology Park Ljubljana, the SAŠA Incubator, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
The PreseNEETi se project, whose project promoter is the University of Adult Education Celje, focused on the empowerment and social activation of NEETs, young people aged between 15 and 29 who are not in education, employment, or training, with a particular focus on the older age group between 25 and 29 years. The project partners have carried out an analysis of the situation of NEETs in Slovenia and Norway and developed an empowerment and social activation programme based on good practices. The programme, which included educational workshops, career and psychosocial counselling and soft skills workshops, involved 30 NEETs. Additionally, 40 mentors were trained, a mentoring scheme was established, and a handbook for mentors was created. Finally, a publication with recommendations was produced and presented at consultations with policy makers. The project empowered 30 NEETs, trained 40 mentors and improved the methodology for identifying the needs of NEETs. Partners included the Employment Service of Slovenia, the University of Maribor, the National Youth Council of Slovenia, and the Norwegian Organisation for Supervision and Co-Operation.
The TALENT LAB project, led by the Pomurje Technology Park, aimed to increase employment opportunities in Pomurje by connecting 61 young talents with 22 local companies. Students were mentored to solve entrepreneurial challenges, gain insights into business processes, and develop concrete solutions. The companies benefited from fresh ideas and met potential new hires. The results of these efforts were presented at two Pitch Day events. The project also supported 25 early-stage entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas and starting their businesses. In addition, two start-up academies were organised, a mentoring scheme was set up, a best practice guide for fostering youth entrepreneurship was produced and an online database of educational resources was created. Partners in the project included the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maribor, the School of Economics Murska Sobota, the Bilingual Secondary School Lendava, the Biotechnological School Rakičan, the Secondary School for Catering and Tourism Radenci, and the Faculty of Humanities at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
The TRIALOG project, whose project promoter is the Gender Equality Research Institute Maribor, was a response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, such as increased social isolation, peer violence, and psychosocial distress. The project aimed to empower young people by implementing a prevention program targeting online and intimate partner violence in secondary schools, complemented by training mentors within local networks. An online platform for positive dialogue was set up, offering young people an anonymous chat room and the possibility for youth to engage in local communities. Recommendations were also made to policy makers, focusing on young people’s mental health, which contributed to better integration of young people in local environments as well as to strengthening the competencies of youth and professional workers in the Podravska region. The project was carried out in partnership with the Municipality of Ptuj, the University of Adult Education Ormož, the Centre for Free Time Activities Ptuj, the Youth Council of the Municipality of Ptuj, and Avisensa, the Avisensa, Institute for psychology, counselling, and education.
The programme aims to support the development of competencies, to improve the link between education and the real world, to develop support measures for the inclusion of disadvantaged groups in society and work, and to promote the work-life balance. The programme also strengthens institutional capacities for good governance and cross-sectoral cooperation, contributing to the sustainable development of society.
Contribution to Improved Work-life Balance
Under the Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, four projects contributing to work-life balance have been implemented with support from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. These projects have confirmed that the balance of the different areas of life is crucial for the sustainable development of society. Through innovative approaches, cross-sectoral cooperation and international support, significant progress has been made in improving living conditions and strengthening gender equality, which represents a key step forward in the efforts to achieve work-life balance.
IMRO Project
The IMRO project, led by the Slovenian Hospice Society, focused on relieving the burden on working people caring for sick and dying relatives. The project has established an integrated model of care for the elderly, including a day centre, and introduced the Compassionate Company Certificate to foster a new organizational culture in companies. The certificate offers companies new solutions, through measures developed and training, to help them balance the work commitments of an employee caring for a chronically ill or elderly family member at home. In addition, education and trainings have been provided to the working population on informal caregiving and work-life balance. The partners involved in the project are the Society for Cultural Relations SPES, the Municipality of Solčava and Bjerkaker LearningLab.
The TERA project, whose project promoter is the Development Centre Murska Sobota, addressed work-life balance in a rural environment. The project established training sessions on gender stereotypes, traditional gender roles and the challenges of work-life balance, while promoting gender equality. In doing so, it raised awareness of these issues among local and national stakeholders and decision-makers, strengthened the role of advocacy organisations to improve the situation of women in rural areas and promoted sustainable development. The project also raised awareness among the public about the role and position of women and men in rural areas and the state of (in)equality between the genders. Besides the project promoter, the project also involved the Regional Development Agency Posavje, the Gender Equality Research Institute Maribor, the Slovenian Rural Youth Association, the Centre for the Development of Sustainable Society, and the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
The BalanCed project, led by the Centre for the Communication, the Hearing and the Speech Portorož, focused on work-life balance through innovative and holistic approaches. The project brought services to the local environment that strengthen and enrich human resources through the arts, emphasising intrinsic factors such as stress coping skills, efficiency, problem solving and maintaining good relationships. The project promoted more effective time management and the use of external measures of society to support the balance of the different areas of life. A Creative Centre was set up as a supportive environment for employees, allowing participants to engage in creative activities and crafts. In addition, quality childcare was provided, teaching sustainable content. A network of organisations has been set up to support employees, organise childcare and develop competence-building programmes in work organisations, and train mentors for the long-term implementation of the programmes. The partners in the project are the NO PROBLEM ZONE, Institute for lifelong learning, creativity and well being, NOMED, Institute for Independent Media Activity, the Association for Culture and Education PiNA, and the Culture Break Borders.
The PROMETHEUS project, promoted by the American Chamber of Commerce, addressed the challenges and issues of work-life balance and gender equality within the organisational structures of companies. The project raised awareness of possible solutions and measures to facilitate the work-life balance of employees. The focus was on addressing the poor work-life balance that often results from differences between genders, parenthood and career structures. The project also focused on improving the knowledge and competence of company management to establish gender-equitable organisational structures and on overcoming gender stereotypes that affect the unequal distribution of responsibilities between men and women. Besides the project promoter, the project also involved the Gender Equality Research Institute Maribor, Merkur, Ltd, Riko, industrial, construction engineering and leasing, Ltd, University of Maribor, Knauf Insulation, Ltd, Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia, A1 Slovenia, telecommunications services, Joint Stock Company, AMZS, service provider for members of national automobile association and other users of roadside assistance, Joint Stock Company, and the Norwegian Automobile Foundation.
11 July 2024 – SRIP – Circular economy, which aims to sustainably increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the Slovenian economy in the transition into circular economy, has for the second consecutive year awarded prizes for the best inventive solutions in the field of the circular economy.
This year’s call for the best inventive solutions in the circular economy, supported once again by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, received 27 applications, which shows the strong growth of development and innovation activity in Slovenia.
The expert committee, chaired by Dr. Martin Ocepek, Head R&D Synthetic Resins at Helios TBLUS, Ltd, and including Dr. Zorka Novak Pintarič, Full Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Maribor, Marko Hren, Head of the Smart Specialisation Coordination Division at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, and Mag. Aleksandra Podgornik, Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska, awarded two gold, thirteen silver and seven bronze prizes for the best inventive solutions and five prizes were given for development activities in the field of circular economy.
Among the recipients was the project LFIA-REC – Recycling of Rapid Antigen LFIA Tests (COVID-19), which received a silver prize. The LFIA-REC project developed an innovative process for collecting, sterilising, separating, recycling and reusing materials that are the basic components in rapid antigen tests. This process allows for the energy-efficient sterilisation and separation of the test components, which are then recycled into plastic and refined into gold. The recovered materials are further processed and reused.
Supported by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, the LFIA-REC project involved collaboration between the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maribor, Surovina, Waste processing company, Ltd, Zlatarna Celje, Ltd, Plastika Skaza, Ltd, the Faculty of Polymer Technology, the University Medical Centre Maribor, and the Institute of Metals and Technology.
