The European Union and its Member States, including Slovenia, have adopted several policies and programmes that directly address older people and support them in different ways. In the framework of the European Cohesion Policy and other mechanisms, the European Union provides support and financial resources to tackle development disparities and implement a wide range of measures in the fields of social policy, integration, lifelong learning, accessibility, mobility and, above all, improving the quality of life of the population in the Republic of Slovenia.

The participants of the event, organised by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, were welcomed by the Minister, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, who stressed that the Ministry does not only co-finance cycle paths, water supply and sewerage systems, but also programmes that are close to the people, and said he was pleased that the funding, available under the 2021-2027 financial perspective, will continue supporting such objectives. After the welcoming address, the field of European Cohesion Policy was presented as well as the projects that have benefited the elderly population in Slovenia. During the event, various organisations also presented interesting projects for the older population that have received EU funding.

The main part of the event was the discussion under the title Addressing the needs of older people through European Cohesion Policy, chaired by mag. Marko Koprivc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. The debate was moderated by Dr Luka Omladič, State Secretary at the Ministry of Solidarity-Based Future, Stanko Kranvogel, Vice President of Slovenia’s Federation of Pensioners' Associations (ZDUS), Francka Ćetković, President of the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia, mag. Barbara Žgajner, Director of the Home Care Centre, and Zoran Hoblaj, Vice President of the Assembly of the Association of Social Institutions of Slovenia.

State Secretary Koprivc first underlined that an active approach to policy-making for older people is essential. “That is why older people must be a key stakeholder in such discussions. At the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, we are always open to discussions and cooperation with social partners, civil society and all stakeholders, both professional and the interested public. We are also always available to provide any clarification and information, with the aim of making Cohesion Policy implementation as transparent and recognised as possible. Above all, we consider it essential to develop content in cooperation with as wide a range of partners as possible, to hear the real needs and challenges from those who work directly with people on the ground.”