Monthly Highlights: January 2026
Planting of Native Tree Species along the Krka River near Bela Cerkev
Slovenian Water Agency carried out a planting of native tree species along the Krka River near Bela Cerkev. The planted trees improve bank stability, reduce erosion, and enhance biodiversity along the watercourse. This activity is part of the LIFE OrnamentalIAS project, which also aims to preserve natural balance and reduce the negative impacts of invasive alien plant species.
Planting of Native Tree Species along the Krka River near Bela Cerkev
Contract Signed for Phase 1 of the Kobila Watercourse Development – Increased Flood Safety for Šentjernej
A contract was signed in Šentjernej for the first phase of the flood protection development of the Kobila watercourse. The project, valued at 6.5 million EUR, aims to increase flood safety for over 200 residents and improve the watercourse’s flow capacity. The project includes nature-based measures, bridges, and bank improvements, while the second phase envisions a dry retention basin above Gorjanci.
Contract Signed for Phase 1 of the Kobila Watercourse Development – Increased Flood Safety for Šentjernej
Over 130 million EUR for the Coastal Karst Region
During a government visit to the Coastal Karst Region, the Minister for Natural Resources and Spatial Planning highlighted that the ministry is allocating around 35 million EUR for water management in the region, covering rehabilitation, maintenance, and investments in watercourses. The minister visited construction sites at six retention structures in the Izola municipality on the Rikorvo, Morer, and Mehanotehnika streams, as well as working site in the Sečovlje saltpans, where rehabilitation is underway on the left bank of the St. Jernej Canal.
Over 130 million EUR for the Coastal Karst Region
Spatial Plan for the Lower Savinja Valley: Comprehensive Solutions to Reduce Flood Risk
The State Spatial Plan for the Lower Savinja Valley is part of a broader concept of integrated Savinja river basin management. The plan presents a comprehensive approach to reducing flood risk along the Savinja River and its tributaries. It includes measures for stabilizing torrent channels, reducing erosion, limiting sediment transport, and ensuring adequate flow capacity, thereby sustainably reducing downstream flood risk. The estimated cost of the planned measures is approximately 490.6 million EUR including VAT. They will protect around 13,300 people and multiple settlements.
Spatial Plan for the Lower Savinja Valley: Comprehensive Solutions to Reduce Flood Risk
Public Consultation on the Lower Savinja Valley DPN: Dialogue for Greater Flood Safety
At a public consultation in Žalec, representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning and the Slovenian Water Agency listened to the concerns and suggestions of the public and stakeholders regarding the draft DPN for the Lower Savinja Valley. The public consultation aimed to foster open dialogue, review solutions, and find improvements and compromises that will be sustainable in the long term, balancing flood safety with the protection of agricultural land.
Public Consultation on the Lower Savinja Valley DPN: Dialogue for Greater Flood Safety
Major Investments in Flood Safety in the Savinja Region
During a government visit to the Savinja region, the minister emphasized that nearly half a billion euros in investments are secured for the management of the Savinja river basin by 2028. Ongoing projects include extensive watercourse improvements, channel widening, bridge construction, infrastructure rehabilitation, and funding of infrastructure and restoration works in the municipalities of Celje, Vojnik, and Šentjur. The minister inspected flood protection works on the Savinja in the Polule area. The 15.5 million EUR project is the largest of five ongoing investments in the Celje municipality aimed at increasing flood safety.
Major Investments in Flood Safety in the Savinja Region