Progress in the preparation of the EU Solidarity Fund application

The Government took note of the information on the progress of activities for the preparation of the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) application. Given the need to assess the flood damage in a short timeframe, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia decided to use the internationally recognised PDNA (Post-Disaster Needs Assessment) methodology, which will build on the existing established national damage assessment methodologies.

Developed by the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations Development Group, the PDNA method helps to comprehensively and rapidly assess the impact of a disaster and to prepare recovery plans. The approach promotes inter-sectoral coordination, ensuring that damage, losses and reconstruction and rehabilitation needs are identified by sector. The process of assessing direct damage through the application of the PDNA method is crucial for the preparation of the application for EUSF funding. The preparation of the EUSF application is managed by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development.

The PDNA methodology foresees a sectoral approach and therefore categories and their promoters are defined. The distribution of the categories among the relevant ministries follows the appointment of the members of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group on the preparation of the application and implementation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF).

On 9 August 2023, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development convened the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group for the preparation of the application and implementation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (IWG EUSF). Three more meetings followed, the last one on 5 September 2023. The Republic of Slovenia must submit its application by 27 October 2023 at the latest.

Source: Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia establishes the Government Office for Flood and Landslide Recovery

The Government established the Government Office for Flood and Landslide Recovery. Its priorities include:

• organisational, technical and other assistance to the government and coordination of the work of ministries in dealing with the consequences of floods and landslides;
• tasks related to advice, cooperation, assistance in planning and designing the reconstruction of damaged and destroyed structures, coordination and guidance, in particular concerning:
• advising on decisions on the method of reconstruction and providing other expert assistance in connection with the reconstruction of structures;
• coordinating the preparation of the documents needed to draw up disaster recovery programmes;
• assisting private-law entities in the preparation of documentation for applications for public funding;
• providing legal and financial advice to affected municipalities and private-law entities on reconstruction;
• coordinating the preparation of project documentation for construction, except for the construction of national infrastructure and the reconstruction of economic public energy infrastructure, with the exception of the notification obligation;
• participating in the monitoring of the efficient and targeted use of public funds and other sources of financing for the reconstruction; and
• assisting in the organisation of professional supervision of construction in accordance with the rules governing construction.
• coordinating the work of NGOs, humanitarian organisations, municipalities and other entities in the field of flood and landslide recovery.

Until the establishment of the Government Office as an independent budget user, the funds for its operation in 2023 will be provided from the current financial plan of the Prime Minister's Office. The spending rights for the newly created authority for 2024 and 2025 are foreseen in the draft amending budget of the Republic of Slovenia for 2024 and the draft budget for 2025.

The Government Office is expected to have 7 employees. In addition to the Secretary of State, who heads the Government Office, there will be 6 civil servants, who will be transferred to the Government Office from various ministries.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister

The Government appoints the Director General of the Police, mag. Senad Jušić

The Government has appointed mag. Senad Jušić as Director General of the Police for a five-year term of office, from 8 September 2023 until 7 September 2028, with the possibility of reappointment. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia also issued a decision appointing mag. Senad Jušić to the official title of Grade I – Chief Police Counsellor.

The Special Competition Commission appointed by the Council of Officials to conduct a special competition procedure for the post of the Director General of the Police has informed the Minister of the Interior, Boštjan Poklukar, that mag. Senad Jušić is also suitable for this position. The Minister of the Interior then proposed to the Government that mag. Senad Jušić be appointed to the post of the Director General of the Police.

The post of the Director General of the Police is held at the title of Grade I – Chief Police Counsellor. The Minister of the Interior therefore also proposed to the Government that mag. Senad Jušić be appointed to this title with effect from the date of his appointment to the post of the Director General of the Police.

Source: Ministry of the Interior