Ministry of the Environment with a slimmer management structure to save millions

The Slovenian Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has implemented a streamlined leadership structure that is projected to save over one million euros annually in salaries, according to officials. The restructuring follows a government initiative aimed at reducing the number of ministries and creating a more efficient public administration. By consolidating responsibilities previously spread across multiple separate bodies into a single ministry, the new structure eliminates redundant processes and rationalizes leadership roles. The ministry’s minister, Polona Rifelj, announced the reorganization during a hearing before the relevant parliamentary committee in early June. Within weeks of taking office, she successfully reduced the number of organizational units that had previously been distributed among three ministries and one governmental service. The number of directorates and their directors was cut in half, from six to three. The total number of organizational units dropped from 76 to 48. The number of state secretaries decreased from seven to three, while the number of cabinet positions was reduced from 17 to two. According to the ministry, this change results in a financial saving of more than 1.2 million euros solely in the salaries of the leadership staff. The restructuring eliminated duplicate leadership functions that existed across different ministries and the government agency. Responsibilities are now carried out through a significantly simplified management structure. The number of employees appointed on the minister's trust has also decreased. Crucially, the reduction is not due to a decrease in the scope of tasks, but rather the elimination of redundancies caused by separate cabinets, secretariats, and support services. Initial effects of the reorganization have been positive, according to the ministry. It has brought clearer political and administrative accountability, shorter decision-making paths, and less inter-ministerial coordination. Professional knowledge has been consolidated, and financial, personnel, legal, and information processes have been standardized. Officials believe the ministry now has better oversight of projects, contracts, information systems, and basic resources. At the same time, they say the changes have created a foundation for long-term cost rationalization, which will become evident over time. The reorganization reflects broader government efforts to streamline public administration. The reduction in the number of ministries was a clear signal of the direction towards leaner and cheaper public administration. The case of the environmental sector demonstrates how this policy is being implemented in practice. By merging tasks that were previously scattered among several separate organizations under a single ministry, a more effective structure has emerged. The ministry emphasizes that the savings come from eliminating duplicated processes and rationalizing leadership and cabinet functions. This includes reducing the number of direct reports and secretarial roles. The new structure maintains the full range of professional tasks while achieving significant cost reductions. The focus is on efficiency without compromising the scope of responsibilities. Officials within the ministry highlight that the reorganization has improved internal clarity and operational effectiveness. They point to fewer layers of bureaucracy, faster decision-making, and greater integration of expertise. These improvements are expected to lead to better performance and resource allocation in the long term. The ministry is confident that these changes will contribute to sustainable cost savings and enhanced governance capabilities.