The Ministry of Culture has announced that it will halt financial support for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) starting this year, according to reports from local media. According to data from the network CNVOS, the ministry allocated approximately 9 million euros to NGOs in 2024. The announcement was made through a Facebook post published on July 8th, which received over 1,600 likes and nearly 500 comments. The user expressed praise for the government’s decision, claiming that the funding had been cut off from the state treasury. This statement followed a call from the Ministry of Culture urging program implementers and project participants who had submitted applications for payment of grant funds to stop doing so until further notice. The reason given was that the ministry was preparing a budget realignment and that approved funds would be reduced accordingly. However, after a series of critical responses from the cultural sector, the ministry clarified that, following a detailed review of its financial situation, they found that there was a shortfall of 8.9 million euros for current funding of all legal and contractual obligations until the end of the year. They noted a number of accepted and planned cost-saving measures, though none specifically mentioned the call for cessation. Minister Ignacija Fridl Jarc denied claims that some recipients had been stopped from receiving payments for already submitted requests. She also rejected warnings that the ministry was acting unlawfully, emphasizing that each contract with those receiving co-financing includes a clause allowing for adjustments in case of a budget realignment. Neither the ministry nor the minister mentioned the termination of funding for NGOs. In addition to being one of the direct and indirect budget users financing NGO activities, the Ministry of Culture is among the largest contributors to NGOs, according to data from the Slovenian Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (CNVOS). In 2024, the ministry allocated around 230 million euros out of a total of 350.22 million euros to NGOs, primarily for personal assistance payments under the 2019 law, which is managed by this ministry. The Cultural Ministry paid out slightly more than 9 million euros to NGOs in 2024. The Association of Signatories warned that the withholding of funds raises questions about the implementation of approximately 263 confirmed projects and programs with valid contracts throughout Slovenia, which were funded based on calls for proposals. They pointed out that such communication creates uncertainty among implementers, as it is unclear whether it refers to temporary organizational limitations, internal instructions, announcements of future changes, or the beginning of interference with existing state obligations. Due to this uncertainty, implementers have already postponed or canceled programs. They also reminded that the state budget realignment has not yet been adopted. “It is unknown on which areas the budget reductions might occur and how significant they would be.” Conversely, the national budget remains valid, they emphasized. “Therefore, we expect clear explanations on the basis of which the ministry is currently limiting the execution of contractual obligations.” CNVOS urged all recipients to continue implementing contractual activities as planned, according to their agreements or verified project work plans, and to submit requests and reports within the contractual deadlines. The network also highlighted that merely informing the ministry about the preparation of the budget realignment is not a legal basis for stopping projects or rejecting payments. Contracts remain valid until any actual reduction in budgetary funds and the signing of an annex. The author of the Facebook post was informed of our findings. Their response will be published once received. --- The government has begun preparing a budget realignment and determined the cuts to budget expenditures per department. The realignment of the budget will be finalized by the end of August. According to a statement from the government, the overall budgeted expenditures for 2026 are set at 18.4 billion euros, which is 700 million euros more than previously anticipated in the current valid budget, which was passed last autumn. This increase is due mainly to higher defense spending and additional funds for the implementation of the recovery and resilience plan (NOO). The government has decided to increase expenditure by 700 million euros compared to the previous budget, primarily because of increased defense spending and additional funds for the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (NOO). The realignment will include a restructuring of budget expenditures per ministry and other financial planners. These data have not yet been released, so it is still unknown how much the government intends to increase defense spending and how much the NOO funding will be adjusted. It is also unclear which departments will need to reduce their planned expenditures and for what purposes the funds will be less available than currently planned. The increase in defense spending is intended to achieve the goal of reaching defense expenditures equivalent to two percent of gross domestic product (GDP), in accordance with the commitments of the country. Additional funds for the NOO budget are necessary due to the final phase of implementing the plan. "During the preparation of budgets for 2026 and 2027 last year, it was foreseen that part of the expenditures for implementing projects would be carried out in 2027. Due to the completion of the NOO implementation in 2026, it was necessary to ensure the necessary funds in the budget for 2026," explained the ministry of finance during a session. The basis for preparing the budget documents is based on the latest information on the balance sheet of public finances and the status of the current budget. "From the information, it is evident that obligations of the state budget have significantly increased, and the fiscal commitment regarding the cumulative growth of expenditures in the sector of the state for the year 2026 has been violated, so the government called upon ministries to prepare proposals for measures that would enable achieving fiscal targets," stated in the public statement. Ministries where budgetary funds are managed have also been called upon to conduct analyses of the efficiency of their budgetary funds and, in cases where these funds are not used immediately, to prepare changes to relevant laws in order to return unused funds back into the budget, thus reducing the deficit of the state budget. According to data from the Fiscal Council, the deficit in the first half of the year amounted to 1.2 billion euros. That is about half more than in the same period last year and exceeded half of the projected deficit for the entire year. In 2028, the increase in expenditures will reach up to 19 billion euros. The government has also reviewed the draft of the budget memorandum and determined the scope for preparing the proposal for changes to the state budget for 2027 and the draft of the state budget for 2028. For 2027, the total budgeted expenditures are also set at 18.4 billion euros, which is 309 million euros more than the budget approved for 2027 (most of the increase relates to additional funds for the implementation of cohesion policy, which were initially underestimated in the 2027 budget), and for 2028, it is set at 19.1 billion euros. Thus, the budgeted expenditures for 2028 will be the first time exceeding the 19 billion euro threshold. If the proposal is approved by the National Assembly, the budgeted expenditures for this year will be the first time exceeding 18 billion euros. The government will determine the budget realignment for the current year by the end of August, and the budgets for 2027 and 2028 will be prepared accordingly by the end of September, as stated by the ministry of finance during the session. Before the meeting, the government explained to Večer that due to reorganization (changes in ministries), the government could possibly make certain decisions.
6 reports
DomovinaIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 7018 days agoThe new Slovenian government has identified significant financial shortfalls across various ministries after taking office. Minister for Economy, Labour, and Sport Anže Logar highlighted a 16-million-euro deficit at his ministry this year, with an additional 66 million euros expected to be missing by 2027 for approved projects. Similar issues were reported at the Ministry of Culture, which faces an 8.9-million-euro shortfall. Logar attributed these problems to mismanagement of public finances under the previous government, particularly citing the improper reallocation of European funds in late 2025, which were not later returned. He criticized the prior administration for taking on financial obligations without secured funding sources and warned that current conditions could threaten pensions, though he denied any immediate risk. The new government aims to accelerate the use of European funds to mitigate delays in project implementation.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about budgetary shortfalls and criticism of the previous government’s management of public finances. It includes direct quotes from the current minister and does not exhibit overtly biased language or selective sourcing. The content remains balanced, focusing
Why factuality (80): This article provides specific figures such as the 16-million euro deficit at the Ministry of Economy and the 66 million euro shortfall for 2027, along with details about the misallocation of EU funds. These numbers are supported by direct quotes from Minister Anže Logar, making the factual content
Why objectivity (70): While the article presents information in a balanced manner, it still frames the issue through a political lens, noting that the government is addressing these issues. However, it avoids taking strong ideological positions and focuses more on reporting the facts rather than promoting a particular po
Nova24TVParty-alignedCenterFactual 75Objective 659 days agoThe Slovenian organization Društvo Asociacija, led by Uroš Veber, claims to advocate for the sustainability of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent cultural creators. However, financial data reveals that the organization relies almost entirely on external funding sources, particularly public funds, with less than 0.04% of its income coming from its core activities. The group has recently drawn attention by urging the Ministry of Culture to disburse approved funds to NGOs and cultural project implementers, citing delays in payments and administrative bottlenecks. During a TV appearance, Veber highlighted the impact of these delays on cultural actors, while the minister attributed the issue to a budget shortfall caused by excessive spending during the previous administration. The ministry has temporarily paused new funding requests until a revised budget is finalized in September 2026. Analysis of ten cultural associations shows that most rely heavily on non-core revenue streams such as public grants and EU projects.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the financial structure of a cultural NGO and its calls for action regarding delayed funding from the Ministry of Culture. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content remains balanced, focusing on the
Why factuality (75): The article provides specific details about the organization Asociacija, including its stated mission, financial dependence on external funding (0.04% from core activities), and its involvement in advocating for delayed payments from the Ministry of Culture. These claims appear consistent with the b
Why objectivity (65): The tone is critical of the organization’s reliance on public funds while also highlighting its advocacy efforts. The use of phrases like 'parazitstvo nevladnikov' ('parasitism of NGOs') introduces a biased framing that suggests the NGO is exploitative rather than simply dependent. This language lea
+Portal (Portal Plus)IndependentCenterFactual 65Objective 5513 days agoThe article discusses the state of public finances in Slovenia ahead of elections, highlighting the contrasting narratives between the ruling coalition and opposition parties. The current government claims public finances are stable, citing adherence to Maastricht criteria and reduced national debt relative to other countries, while opposition parties argue the situation is dire. The article notes that despite previous government spending, the current fiscal position remains challenging, limiting the ability to fulfill campaign promises. It suggests that future government actions will likely involve compromises between promises and financial realities, with criticism directed at past policies. The piece calls for a detailed analysis of public finance structures to evaluate past policies and inform new strategies.
Bias read (Center): While the article presents conflicting viewpoints between the ruling coalition and opposition regarding public finances, it does not clearly favor one side over the other. It provides balanced reporting by including both perspectives and emphasizes the need for objective analysis rather than taking谮
Why factuality (65): The article presents a general narrative about political cycles and fiscal management, using common themes seen in election coverage. It references a former financial minister and mentions the 'interventni zakon' but does not provide specific data or sources. While it aligns with the cross-source co
Why objectivity (55): The tone is somewhat biased towards portraying both sides as engaging in political storytelling rather than presenting objective facts. The language suggests a critical view of current governance while also implying past mismanagement, which leans toward a particular political perspective.
+Portal (Portal Plus)IndependentCenterFactual 65Objective 5515 days ago Various political fairy tales about the state of public financesThe article discusses the recurring pattern in Slovenian politics where the ruling coalition presents a stable state of public finances before elections, while opposition parties highlight deteriorating conditions. Despite starting from a weak position, the ruling coalition often finds itself facing worse financial realities after taking office and struggling to fulfill campaign promises. The former finance minister claims the situation is manageable, noting Slovenia's deficit remains below the Maastricht threshold and that other countries face larger deficits, while the national debt is relatively decreasing. Opposition parties, however, have warned of catastrophic conditions but proposed alternative policies to restore fiscal health. Despite increased deficits due to previous government policies, the current administration has continued with interventionist measures, though these may soon face challenges. The article suggests that future government actions will likely involve compromises between promises and financial reality, while criticizing the previous government's policies. It raises questions about why the public finances shifted from surplus to significant deficits over a
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced overview of differing political narratives around public finances, presenting both the ruling coalition's perspective and the opposition's criticisms without overtly favoring either side. It does not employ loaded language or one-sided sourcing.
Why factuality (65): This article repeats the same general claims as the earlier ones, focusing on political narratives and fiscal challenges. It references a former financial minister and the 'interventni zakon' but does not offer new data or specific sources. It aligns with the cross-source consensus but lacks depth a
Why objectivity (55): The tone remains biased, suggesting a political cycle where incumbents downplay problems and opposition highlights them. This framing implies a particular political stance without offering a balanced view of the actual financial situation.
+Portal (Portal Plus)IndependentCenterFactual 65Objective 5516 days ago Various political fairy tales about the state of public financesThe article discusses the state of public finances in Slovenia ahead of elections, highlighting the contrasting narratives between the ruling coalition and opposition parties. The current government claims public finances are stable, citing adherence to Maastricht criteria and reduced national debt relative to other countries, while opposition parties argue the situation is dire. The article notes that despite previous government spending, the current fiscal position remains challenging, limiting the ability to fulfill campaign promises. It suggests that future government actions will likely involve compromises between promises and financial realities, with criticism directed at past policies. The piece calls for a detailed analysis of public finance structures to evaluate past policies and inform new strategies.
Bias read (Center): While the article presents conflicting viewpoints between the ruling coalition and opposition regarding public finances, it does not clearly favor one side over the other. It provides balanced reporting by including both perspectives and emphasizes the need for objective analysis rather than taking谮
Why factuality (65): This article is nearly identical to the first, repeating the same general claims about political narratives and fiscal challenges. It again refers to a former financial minister and the 'interventni zakon' without providing specific data or sources. It aligns with the cross-source consensus but rema
Why objectivity (55): Similar to the first article, this piece maintains a similar tone and bias, suggesting a partisan viewpoint by framing both political parties as engaged in cyclical storytelling. There is little attempt to present an impartial analysis of the actual financial situation.
+Portal (Portal Plus)IndependentCenterFactual 65Objective 5517 days ago Various political fairy tales about the state of public financesThe article discusses the recurring pattern in Slovenian politics where the ruling coalition presents a stable state of public finances before elections, while opposition parties highlight deteriorating conditions. Despite starting from a weak position, the ruling coalition often finds itself facing worse financial realities after taking office and struggling to fulfill campaign promises. The former finance minister claims the situation is manageable, noting Slovenia’s deficit remains below the Maastricht threshold and that other countries face larger deficits, while the national debt is relatively decreasing. Opposition parties, however, have warned of catastrophic conditions but proposed alternative policies to restore fiscal health. Despite increased deficits due to previous government policies, the current administration has continued with interventionist measures, though these may soon face challenges. The article suggests that future government actions will likely involve compromises between promises and financial reality, while criticizing the previous government’s policies. It raises questions about why the public finances shifted from surplus to significant deficits over a
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced overview of differing political narratives around public finances, presenting both the ruling coalition's perspective and the opposition's criticisms without overtly favoring either side. It does not employ loaded language or one-sided sourcing.
Why factuality (65): This article is almost identical to the others, repeating the same general claims about political narratives and fiscal challenges. It lacks specific data and relies on broad statements about public finances and political behavior. It aligns with the cross-source consensus but offers minimal factual
Why objectivity (55): The article continues the pattern of presenting a politically charged narrative, suggesting that both sides engage in cyclical storytelling. It does not attempt to present an impartial analysis of the financial situation, maintaining a biased tone.
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