€85.4 million for the development of local communities and disadvantaged border areas

A total of 12 calls for proposals are planned in this context. The calls will target municipalities, businesses, public institutions, public utility companies, alpine associations, and other eligible beneficiaries, with a particular focus on border regions facing development challenges. The measures are designed to strengthen economic resilience by supporting sustainable local development, upgrading public infrastructure, and fostering entrepreneurship.

Of the €85.4 million available, €55.4 million will be allocated as grants and €39 million in the form of reimbursable favourable loans.

The Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development will implement four calls for proposals under the Disadvantaged Border Areas Programme. The funding will include €10.5 million for the revitalisation of public buildings, €4 million for the renovation of alpine huts, €0.8 million to improve access through on-demand transport services, and €0.8 million for the development of innovative public building revitalisation projects.

The Slovenian Regional Development Fund will launch four calls for proposals to support businesses, municipalities, and public utility companies in disadvantaged border areas. The funding will support large investments in circular economy. Development and infrastructure loans will also be made available. In total, the calls will make €23 million available, of which €3 million will be allocated as grants, and €20 million as reimbursable funding.

The Slovene Enterprise Fund will launch two calls for proposals to support entrepreneurship and business development in disadvantaged border areas. €1.8 million in grants will be available for start-ups, and €10 million in reimbursable funding for micro enterprises and SMEs.

Additionally, the ministry will launch a call for proposals for the development of public business zone infrastructure to strengthen disaster resilience. The call will be implemented under the Programme of Development Initiatives for Economic, Environmental, Social and Cultural Development (in accordance with Article 99 of the Reconstruction, Development and Provision of Financial Resources Act) and will make €20 million available.   

The ministry will also launch a call for proposals worth €14.5 million to co-finance joint municipal administrations.

The first calls for proposals are expected to be launched in the second half of 2026. The selected projects will be implemented throughout 2027 and 2028, with some continuing beyond this period. The initiatives aim to strengthen regional development, improve the quality of life of local communities, and support sustainable and development-oriented investments.