Additional EUR 277 million in React-EU funding which the Commission officially approved yesterday has now been fully disbursed and has to be spent by the end of 2023.

The grants will be used to implement investments and reforms in four main areas: long-term care, healthcare, tourism and education.

Slovenia's public network of long-term care facilities is set to grow by the end of the next year to include 18 new or entirely renovated facilities across Slovenia (Kranj, Koper, Ljubljana Bežigrad and Ljubljana Vič-Rudnik Kolezija, Velenje, Novo mesto, Črnomelj, Ptuj, Šmartno pri Litiji, Izlake, Murska Sobota, Jesenice, Metlika, Ajdovščina, Šmarje pri Jelšah, Ravne na Koroškem, Dravograd).  

Public healthcare infrastructure will see energy renovation of the University Medical Center Ljubljana and additional hospital space for intermediate care departments or general hospitals Maribor, Ljubljana, Novo mesto and Murska Sobota. Two facilities of the Soča University Rehabilitation Institute and the Nova Gorica General Hospital building will undergo energy renovation. By far the largest and most important investment will be energy renovation of the University Medical Center Ljubljana, where React-EU funding will be complemented with national funding sources. Thanks to deep energy renovation of the facility, the leading medical institution in Slovenia is expected to boast new state-of-the-art premises. The project will include upgrade of the HVAC system, improvement of the lighting system and replacement of doors and windows with energy-efficient solutions. The elevators will undergo renovation and the facility will get a central monitoring system for energy management. Altogether nearly 75,000 square meters of net floor area are expected to be renovated. 

Since mid-April this year, the elderly who live alone, the disabled, and people with chronic conditions will benefit from the free service of e-care at home. The React-EU-funded service allows the users to live safely at home and ensures round-the-clock link to an assistance centre. A call for the provider of telecare services for patients with chronic diseases will also be published shortly.

Part of the React-EU funding was ring-fenced for supporting tourism, economy and education. To this end, modern ICT equipment worth a total of EUR 13.6 million was given to educational institutions across the country.

Slovenia has stepped up spending in the last two years, progressing from below-average performers to top five member states in terms of Cohesion Policy spending. Placed fourth currently, Slovenia is set to rank among top three member states in 2023.