European Commission: Slovenia is making progress in science but will not catch up without additional efforts from leading European countries

The European Commission has released its annual assessment of the implementation of the European Research Area Strategy (ERA) for the period 2025–2027, highlighting Slovenia's progress in several key areas while noting persistent challenges. According to the report, Slovenia has made significant strides in open science, international research collaboration, and the development of research infrastructure over the past year. However, the country continues to lag behind in funding for research and development, attracting private investment, and creating an environment conducive to faster innovation growth. The evaluation was prepared by an independent expert in cooperation with Slovenian institutions and outlines both positive developments and areas requiring more extensive reforms. The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth emphasized that the findings confirm successful efforts in multiple fields, though critical developmental challenges remain unresolved. One of Slovenia’s major achievements is its commitment to open access to scientific publications. According to data from the European Commission, 85.16 percent of Slovenian scientific publications are available through open access, placing Slovenia among the more successful EU member states in this area. In the previous year, the country further strengthened its activities by organizing national Open Science Days. A significant step forward was also the expansion of research infrastructure, including Slovenia’s inclusion in the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) and becoming a full member of CERN, one of the world's most important research organizations. At the ministry, officials highlighted that high levels of open access mean greater accessibility of scientific results for researchers, businesses, and the broader public, enhancing the international recognition of Slovenia’s research space. International connectivity and the development of artificial intelligence are also notable aspects of Slovenia’s progress. The report identifies Slovenia's increasing role in scientific diplomacy as a key strength. The country actively participated in the European Research Area Forum for Global Access to Research and Innovation, and the ministry prepared the first national document aimed at developing scientific diplomacy. Additionally, Slovenia hosted a regional UNESCO meeting focused on scientific diplomacy related to climate change, further solidifying its position in the international research community. The European Commission specifically highlights Slovenia’s inclusion of citizens in research projects. According to the report’s findings, Slovenia ranks among countries that pay the most attention to so-called citizen science. This is supported by the republication of the call for proposals by the Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation Activity (ARIS), aimed at projects involving active public participation in research. Progress is also evident in the field of artificial intelligence. Currently, preparations are underway for the National Artificial Intelligence Program 2030, whose goal is to promote research in the field of artificial intelligence and its broader application within the scientific and research environment. A strong indicator of the quality of Slovenian research remains the share of scientific publications ranked among the top ten percent most cited globally. This figure stands at 6.95 percent, indicating the competitiveness of Slovenian researchers in the international arena. The biggest challenge, however, remains insufficient investment. Despite encouraging results, the European Commission warns that Slovenia still allocates too few resources to research and development. Gross domestic expenditure on research and development reaches 2.16 percent of gross domestic product, remaining significantly below the European target of three percent of GDP. Public financing of research activity is particularly problematic, according to the Commission’s assessment, as it remains lower than the average of European Union countries. Business sector spending on research and development amounts to approximately 1.5 percent of GDP, yet the European Commission points out that this does not suffice for faster development of an innovative economy.