Government visit to the Podravje region

27. 11. 2025

Government of the Republic of Slovenia

The Government visited the Podravje region. At its regular session held during the visit, it endorsed several important legislative and financial measures – ranging from strategic investments at the University of Maribor to amendments to cohesion policy, housing and healthcare measures, and a new regulatory framework for the wine sector. Separate programmes of members of the Government followed, and the day concluded with a consultation with mayors and business representatives on the key challenges facing the region.

moška odgrinjata temeljni kamen — Author Foto: Nebojša Tejić/STA

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Maribor – a city of knowledge and culture

As part of the Government’s visit to Podravje, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob attended the laying of the foundation stone for the Centre of Excellence for Photonic, Micro- and Nanoelectronic Technologies. This is one of the first and central implementation projects within the broader INNOVUM programme of the University of Maribor.

“Upon taking office, we made it very clear that knowledge is one of the areas in which we will invest systematically and actively. In this term, we have increased state funding for research, science and innovation from under EUR 400 million to more than EUR 800 million annually,” the Prime Minister said in his address. He added: “I believe that with a clearly defined national identity, knowledge is what defines its future.” The Government has therefore been increasing funding for science in line with its plan.

Strengthening cooperation between science and the economy

The establishment of the Centre of Excellence will, among other things, enable the University of Maribor to expand its research and development capacities, strengthen cooperation between science and the economy, reduce brain drain and encourage young researchers to remain in the region. It will also accelerate technological and innovation processes, including the growth of high value-added companies.

The Centre of Excellence will host advanced technological capabilities for research and development in the fields of photonics, semiconductor technologies, RF/radio technologies and photovoltaic systems. These are key enabling technologies (KETs), which underpin the green and digital transition and represent an important development pillar for space technologies.

Rotovž Centre: EUR 18 million in cohesion funding

At its 181st regular session held in the field, the Government adopted the second amendment to the European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, through which Slovenia is responding to the updated EU development orientations. The renovation of the Rotovž Centre has been included in the programme as a strategic operation, with EUR 18 million in European cohesion funding foreseen.

With this amendment, the state is reallocating EUR 243.5 million in non-repayable cohesion funds and an additional EUR 15.5 million from the safety-net reserve to four new objectives: strengthening competitiveness and strategic technologies (including the STEP platform and the HPC 2 project), the energy transition and security, dual-use defence and security projects (particularly in healthcare), and accessible and sustainable public rental housing. The amendment also enables more favourable conditions for absorption, including an extension of the implementation period until the end of 2030 and a higher co-financing rate for the new objectives.

The controlled phase-out of the Velenje Coal Mine also includes social measures for employees

At the session in Maribor, the Government, in addition to the measures mentioned above, determined the text of the draft Act on the Gradual Closure of the Velenje Coal Mine. As Minister Novak explained at the press conference after the session, the Act sets out a 20-year, controlled programme for the mine’s closure and remediation, with a final completion deadline of 2045. It regulates procedures for closure and liquidation (and not coal extraction), as this is Slovenia’s last traditional coal mine.

A particular emphasis is placed on social measures for employees: early occupational and old-age retirement under more favourable conditions, severance entitlements, retraining and other forms of support. The Minister underlined that the Act had been coordinated with experts and trade unions and provides a basis for the region’s further restructuring.

The Act is planned to enter into force following approval by the European Commission, provisionally from 1 July 2026. The financial framework for the closure exceeds EUR 1.13 billion for the period 2026–2045.

Additional measures to stabilise the public healthcare system

At today’s session, the Government also adopted the draft Act on Additional Emergency Measures in Healthcare and forwarded it to the National Assembly for urgent procedure.

The draft Act introduces urgent, targeted measures in healthcare that will decisively contribute to the stabilisation of the entire healthcare system, with the aim of strengthening its functioning in the shortest possible time as effectively as possible. It also extends the validity of certain temporary measures already in force, namely regarding the required level of Slovenian language proficiency, the content of applications for occasional or temporary provision of healthcare services, and the legal basis for transferring certain competencies from physicians to individual healthcare professionals.

Through the proposed amendment, the Government will, among other things, enable:

a monthly incentive of EUR 1,000 gross for choosing a specialisation in emergency medicine;
payment of mentoring allowances within clinical and practical training for students and pupils;
contracting in dental technology, orthotics and prosthetics, or optics and optometry between providers within the public healthcare network and private providers;
immediate financial stabilisation of hospitals;
measures to address absenteeism.

Additional measures to stabilise the public healthcare system

At today’s session, the Government also adopted the draft Act on Additional Emergency Measures in Healthcare and forwarded it to the National Assembly for urgent procedure.

Through the proposed amendment, the Government will, among other things, enable:

a monthly incentive of EUR 1,000 gross for choosing a specialisation in emergency medicine;
payment of mentoring allowances within clinical and practical training for students and pupils;
contracting in dental technology, orthotics and prosthetics, or optics and optometry between providers within the public healthcare network and private providers;
immediate financial stabilisation of hospitals;
measures to address absenteeism.

The Government’s visit to Podravje concluded with a discussion with mayors and business representatives, where the Government presented key development directions for the region and obtained feedback from local communities.

In his statement after the discussion, Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arčon noted that there was a shared understanding that the role of Maribor as a cultural and scientific hub should continue to be strengthened.