In the area of water management, Slovenia is not yet achieving the desired results, as water losses remain above the EU average.

The objective of the component is to implement comprehensive measures to strengthen prevention, preparedness, response and recovery in the event of climate-related disasters, in particular by improving infrastructure and related organisation, research, awareness-raising and training. The component is also aimed at improving water management.

Investments and reforms under the component will contribute to environmental preservation and climate adaptation, thus strengthening the country’s ecological, social and economic resilience.

Strengthening preparedness and response in the event of climate-related disasters – reform

As part of the reform, the organisation, preparedness, capacity and response to climate-related disasters will be upgraded by setting up specialised modular response units and amending the normative, legal and other bases in the field of protection against natural and other disasters accordingly.

The reform will be implemented by June 2026 by updating the relevant regulations and other documents in the field of protection against natural and other disasters, while a reform milestone is expected to be reached in 2023 with the entry into force of the new Resolution on the National Programme of Protection against Natural and Other Disasters. The newly established modular structures at different levels are expected to cover the entire territory of Slovenia and the entire population by 30 June 2026, with a special focus on areas of significant impact of various climate-related disasters and vulnerable groups.

Strengthening prevention to increase flood safety – reform

The reform addresses the flood risk, which is among the most relevant climate change-related risks for Slovenia. The entry into force of a new Flood Risk Management Plan for the period 2022–2026 will accelerate the planning and implementation of measures and projects that contribute to the prevention of the consequences of floods and avalanches.

Restoring and mitigating the effects of climate change and climate-related disasters on resilient forest biodiversity – reform

The reform aims to achieve a favourable status of forest-related habitats and species to enhance ecological services, biodiversity and resilience to threats such as the impacts of climate change on forests.

The reform will be implemented in accordance with the amended Rules on conditions for entry in the register of suppliers and other obligations of suppliers and on the requirements concerning the marketing of forest reproductive material and the amended Rules on certificates and master certificates for forest reproductive material.

Increasing the efficiency of the operation of public environmental protection services – reform

The reform aims to improve the organisation and control of the public service and, by ensuring the sustainability of financing infrastructure upgrades, addresses the key challenge of losses in water management in Slovenia. The reform will upgrade the standard for the provision of the public service to increase the efficiency of water management and enable the use of reuse systems.

The reform will ensure long-term sustainability of the financing of infrastructure investments by reviewing the cost-effectiveness of the charges and levies on water use. Another key aim of the reform is the upgrade of the information system for monitoring and reporting of the activity of public service providers.

Social and economic resilience to climate-related disasters in the Republic of Slovenia – investment

The investment will help upgrade infrastructure, software, information and communication, and other conditions to strengthen preparedness and capacity and ensure a coordinated response to climate-related disasters, in particular floods and large-scale wildfires. A National Civil Protection Centre will be established for a coordinated response to climate-related disasters, including space and information and communication facilities for the operation of the emergency number 112 at the national and regional levels and nationwide centres for flood protection and large-scale wildfires, where up to 2,000 individuals will be trained by 2025 under newly designed training programmes.

Reducing flood risks and reducing the risk related to other climate-related disasters – investment

As part of the investment, flood risk prevention projects will be implemented, including water retention systems and the expansion of existing spillage areas. The projects will focus on green infrastructure solutions. Some of the projects will specifically target landslide rehabilitation. Nature-based solutions will be included in the project selection criteria.

Centre for seeds, nurseries and forest protection – investment

The investment aims to increase the long-term quantity, quality and resilience of the EU’s forests, in particular against fires, diseases and pests and other threats that are likely to increase as a result of climate change. The investment will support biodiversity-friendly forest practices, with a focus on genetic preservation and genetic diversity.

The need to concentrate the infrastructure and knowledge base for further innovation, development and research in this field will be taken into account when building the necessary energy-efficient research infrastructure, including seed, nursery and forest-protection infrastructures.

Urban waste water discharge and treatment projects – investment

The investment will finance the construction of additional front-to-end waste water systems with a net zero energy use and the renewal of additional front-to-end waste water system to lead to a decrease in average energy use by at least 10%.

The projects to be implemented by the municipalities selected through the call for proposals will focus on waste water systems contributing to Natura 2000 sites and water protection areas.

Drinking water supply and savings projects – investment

The objective of the investment is to address water losses in Slovenia, which remain significant due to the age of the water infrastructure. The investment consists of building drinking water supply systems with an average energy consumption of ≤ 0.5 kWh or an Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) of ≤ 1.5 and of renovating existing drinking water supply systems to decrease the average energy consumption by more than 20% or decrease leakage by more than 20%. The projects selected in the call for proposals will be implemented by the municipalities.