The new government has dramatically stepped up its efforts to mobilise European funds
The new government led by Janez Janša has significantly accelerated efforts to access European funds since June 2026. Previously, under the earlier Janša government, Slovenia negotiated frameworks for European funding during the 2021–2027 programming period. Slovenia has approximately €3.2 to €3.26 billion available from the European Cohesion Policy program (with national co-financing bringing total funds to around €4.3 to €4.5 billion), which must be spent by the end of 2029. The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development, currently headed by Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, is responsible for accessing these funds. Kirbiš Rojs was previously the state secretary at this ministry under the previous government and actively participated in negotiations under Janša’s leadership. She highlighted concerns over poor utilization of European funds under the previous government, noting Slovenia ranked among the worst performers in the EU. Since taking office in June 2026, she has accelerated activities, including regularly issuing approvals for fund disbursements. Progress has been made in accessing funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (NOO), but concerns remain due
Slovenia's new government has significantly accelerated efforts to access European Union funds under its leadership. Since June 2026, the administration led by Prime Minister Janez Janša has intensified activities related to drawing down EU financial resources. Cohesion funds are no longer critically at risk, while the deadline for the Recovery and Resilience Plan ends by the end of 2026. Milestones must be met by August 31, and the final application must be submitted by September 30. The previous Janša government negotiated the framework for EU funding during the programming period 2021–2027 in Brussels in 2020 and 2021. Slovenia has approximately 3.2 to 3.26 billion euros available from the European Cohesion Policy Programme (EU funds; combined with national co-financing around 4.3 to 4.5 billion euros), which must be spent by the end of 2029 (N+2 rule). The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development is responsible for accessing these funds, currently headed by Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs. She was the state secretary at this ministry in the previous Janša government in 2020 and is regarded as the leading expert on EU funds. She actively participated in the negotiation team under Janša’s leadership at that time. Activities have been strongly accelerated During her tenure in the previous government under Robert Golob, who completely dismantled the ministry with his staff, Kirbiš Rojs repeatedly highlighted the poor drawdown of EU funds. By the end of Golob’s term, Slovenia ranked between 20th and 24th among the 27 EU member states according to data from the European Commission (for example, 24th place with 11.9 percent in January 2026). She warned about deadlines and the risk of losing EU funds. At the presentation of her candidacy and upon taking office in early June 2026, she emphasized that her task is “to ensure that funds are not lost.” She also noted that Croatia is overtaking Slovenia “from both sides” and that there are many EU funds available in all European programs until 2029, yet Golob’s government fails to utilize them effectively and lacks the ability to implement infrastructure projects. She pointed out that Slovenia ranks among the worst members (we were even at the bottom or near the bottom for a long time) and that money is being allocated to “soft content” instead of infrastructure. After assuming the ministry in June 2026, Dr. Kirbiš Rojs significantly accelerated activities, the ministry regularly issues decisions on approvals. Drawdown from the Recovery and Resilience Plan The Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Recovery and Resilience, operating within the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for drawing down funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). The Slovenian RRP was confirmed by the European Council in July 2021, and funds are available until the end of 2026. There were delays in the previous government as well, but the new government has expedited the process. By August, Slovenia had already received approximately 1.81 billion euros or 86.9 percent of the available funds (1.34 billion euros in non-repayable funds and 0.47 billion euros in loans). Time is running out, and concerns have emerged in public that up to 300 million euros might remain unused. Drawdown is indeed linked to specific milestones and targets that the country must meet. We therefore asked the relevant office within the Ministry of Finance for more information at the end of last week. They explained: “Slovenia has 2.08 billion euros available for implementing the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), of which 1.61 billion euros are non-repayable funds and 469 million euros are loans from the European mechanism for recovery and resilience (mechanism). The condition for disbursing funds is the successful fulfillment of milestones and targets in reforms and investments under the RRP. From the special budget fund, into which the mechanism funds flow, the state has already paid out 1.76 billion euros to final recipients for implemented project activities since the start of the RRP implementation in 2021.” Still 272 million euros They further clarified that “the European Commission (EC) has fully paid six requests to Slovenia so far, as it assessed that all 122 milestones and targets associated with them have been fulfilled. The remaining 60 milestones and targets will be included in the seventh or final payment request, which the country will submit to Brussels. Prime Minister Janez Janša and President of the European Council António Costa discussed future EU budget priorities on Friday at Brdo near Kranj. The main topic of their discussions, within the scope of Costa’s tour of European capitals, was negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) of the European Union for the period between 2028 and 2034. Key challenges: Food, energy, and cyber security Prime Minister Janez Janša stated after the meeting that food, energy, and cyber security, along with defense, would be key priorities for Slovenia in negotiations over the upcoming seven-year budget. He emphasized that security and normal development must proceed hand in hand. Among other priority tasks, the prime minister listed economic competitiveness, innovation, and industrial transformation, noting that without creating new value, it is insufficient to fund other areas. He particularly underscored the importance of European cohesion policy, which he believes contributes crucially to unity within the European Union and the exploitation of its development potential. Janša did not want to set so-called red lines or inflexible negotiating positions. Regarding new sources of financing for the European budget, he warned that a possible reduction in the share of collected tariffs attributable to member states would not be in Slovenia’s interest. Costa: Excellence must encompass all 27 member states President of the European Council António Costa, whose visit to Slovenia achieved about half of his tour of the Union, explained that other European leaders are not setting red lines either this time. Among common priority tasks, he highlighted the competitiveness of the European economy, defense, security, and resilience, emphasizing that all leaders recognize the necessity of maintaining cohesion and common agricultural policies. Regarding the drawdown of funds from the competitiveness fund, Costa warned that the excellence criterion should not become an obstacle for smaller countries. He stressed that when talking about excellence, we cannot refer only to two, three, or four countries, but to all 27 member states. As an example, he cited the automotive industry, where parts for German or French cars are manufactured in countries such as Slovenia and Portugal, thus requiring the building of real European supply chains and utilizing the entire talent the Union possesses. An agreement needed by the end of the year Negotiators are striving to finalize the agreement on the multiannual financial framework by the end of this year, as delays could cause disruptions in European funding at the beginning of 2028. Janša expressed optimism regarding the progress of talks and estimated that an agreement would be reached by the end of the year. At the end, the interlocutors also touched upon the issue of expanding the European Union. Costa thanked Slovenia for its unwavering and dedicated support in bringing Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, and Moldova closer to European integration.
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The new government led by Janez Janša has significantly accelerated efforts to access European funds since June 2026. Previously, under the earlier Janša government, Slovenia negotiated frameworks for European funding during the 2021–2027 programming period. Slovenia has approximately €3.2 to €3.26 billion available from the European Cohesion Policy program (with national co-financing bringing total funds to around €4.3 to €4.5 billion), which must be spent by the end of 2029. The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development, currently headed by Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, is responsible for accessing these funds. Kirbiš Rojs was previously the state secretary at this ministry under the previous government and actively participated in negotiations under Janša’s leadership. She highlighted concerns over poor utilization of European funds under the previous government, noting Slovenia ranked among the worst performers in the EU. Since taking office in June 2026, she has accelerated activities, including regularly issuing approvals for fund disbursements. Progress has been made in accessing funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (NOO), but concerns remain due
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the acceleration of European fund usage under the new government, citing specific figures, timelines, and roles of officials. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context. The tone remains neutral, focusing on
Why factuality (85): The article reports on the accelerated European funds spending by the new government under Janez Janša, citing specific deadlines and figures from the previous Janša government. It references the Ministry responsible for EU funds and mentions Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs as an expert. While there is no pr
Why objectivity (75): The tone is generally neutral but includes some emotionally charged language such as 'slabo črpanje' (poor spending) and 'prehiteva po levi in desni' (being overtaken left and right), which may imply criticism of Croatia. There is also a focus on the importance of not losing funds, which suggests a
The new government led by Janez Janša has significantly accelerated the absorption of European funds since June 2026. Previously, under the earlier Janša government, Slovenia negotiated frameworks for European funding during the 2021–2027 programming period. Slovenia has access to approximately €3.2 to €3.26 billion in European cohesion funds (with national co-financing bringing total available funds to around €4.3 to €4.5 billion), which must be spent by the end of 2029. The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development, currently headed by Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, has taken active steps to improve the absorption rate. Under the previous government led by Robert Golob, the ministry was reportedly underperforming, with Slovenia ranked among the worst performers in the EU for fund absorption. Since taking office in June 2026, Kirbiš Rojs has emphasized the need to avoid losing these funds and has expedited approvals. Progress has been made in absorbing funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (NOO), though concerns remain about potential unused amounts.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the government’s actions regarding European funding absorption, citing specific figures, timelines, and roles of officials. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The focus is on procedural updates and performance
Why factuality (85): This article mirrors the first in content, providing similar details about the acceleration of EU fund spending, the ministry involved, and the role of Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs. It also references the previous government's performance and Slovenia's ranking. The facts are consistent with the first art
Why objectivity (75): Similar to the first article, this piece uses emotionally charged language like 'slabo črpanje' and implies criticism of Croatia through the phrase 'prehiteva po levi in desni.' The emphasis on preventing loss of funds suggests a pro-active stance rather than pure neutrality.
The article discusses the accelerated efforts by the new government led by Janez Janša to draw down European Union funds in Slovenia. It highlights that cohesiveness funds are no longer critically endangered, and the Recovery and Resilience Plan has a deadline at the end of 2026. Key milestones must be met by August 31, and the final request must be submitted by September 30. The article notes that the previous Janša-led government negotiated the framework for EU funds during 2020 and 2021, making approximately 3.2 to 3.26 billion euros available (plus national co-financing totaling around 4.3 to 4.5 billion euros) to be spent by the end of 2029 under the N+2 rule. The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion, and Regional Development, now headed by Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, plays a central role in this process. The article emphasizes that Kirbiš Rojs, who previously served as state secretary under the previous government, has been actively working to improve the utilization of EU funds and warns against potential losses due to poor performance. She criticizes the previous government’s failure to effectively utilize EU funds and infrastructure projects, noting Slovenia's low rank
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses the performance of the current and previous governments regarding EU fund utilization, it presents both perspectives without overtly favoring either side. It provides factual information about the timeline, funding amounts, and responsibilities, while also highlighting Dr
Why factuality (85): The article reports on the accelerated efforts by the new Janez Janša government to access European funds, citing specific deadlines and responsibilities. It references past performance under previous governments and mentions Monika Kirbiš Rojs as a key figure with expertise in EU funding. While the
Why objectivity (70): The tone leans slightly towards praising the current government's efforts while highlighting past shortcomings. The article emphasizes the importance of accessing EU funds and mentions concerns about losing them, which may reflect a political bias in favor of the current administration.
Radio OgnjiščeParty-alignedCenterFactual 70Objective 809/5/2026
On September 4, 2026, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša met with European Council President António Costa in Kranj to discuss preparations for the next seven-year EU budget framework (MFF) covering 2028–2034. Janša emphasized Slovenia’s priorities of food security, energy security, cybersecurity, and defense, stressing the need for security and development to proceed hand-in-hand. He highlighted economic competitiveness, innovation, and industrial transformation as critical areas requiring investment, while underscoring the importance of EU cohesion policy for unity and growth within the Union. Janša did not advocate for rigid red lines in negotiations but warned against potential reductions in customs revenues that could harm Slovenia. Costa noted that all 27 EU member states must benefit from the budget, using the automotive industry as an example where parts for German or French vehicles are produced in Slovenia and Portugal. He stressed the need for genuine supply chains and leveraging the Union’s collective talents.
Bias read (Center): The article presents balanced perspectives from both Janša and Costa, focusing on shared goals like security, competitiveness, and cohesion. While Slovenia’s national interests are discussed, there is no overt ideological slant toward either left or right. The framing remains objective, emphasizing협
Why factuality (70): This article focuses on the meeting between Janez Janša and Antonio Costa discussing the next MFF framework. It provides specific details about Slovenia's priorities and the topics discussed. However, it does not directly address the acceleration of EU fund spending mentioned in the other articles,
Why objectivity (80): The tone remains professional and objective, focusing on the discussion of priorities and policy goals without apparent bias. The language is formal and avoids emotional or loaded terms, maintaining a balanced perspective.
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