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Slovenia’s performance in research and innovation is deteriorating relative to other EU countries. In Slovenia, the level and effectiveness of expenditure on research and innovation and their effectiveness is below strategic targets, which limits the country’s scientific and technological performance. The contribution of research and innovation to productivity growth, competitiveness and the digital and green transition is therefore limited. The objectives of the Recovery and Resilience Plan’s reforms and investments in this area are to improve the governance and coordination of research and innovation policy and increase the level of public and private investment in research and development, as well as their efficiency and effectiveness.

Operation and management of the RDI system – reform

The objectives of the reform are to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public investment in research, development and innovation (RDI), to create an efficient and results-oriented research and innovation environment, and to focus RDI efforts on the green and digital transition.

The reform includes the following: the entry into force of a new Scientific Research and Innovation Activities Act; the introduction of a new governance and integration model for the research and innovation ecosystem (including the creation of a Joint Programme Committee); the establishment of a common monitoring and evaluation system for RDI policies; the reinforcement and empowerment of the two executive research agencies; and the strengthening of the supportive environment of the already established entities and networks, at both the national and international levels, in order to improve the flow of knowledge and cooperation between the academic sphere and businesses.

Co-financing of research and innovation projects in support of green transition and digitalisation – investment

The investment aims to foster longer-term consortium cooperation between research organisations, large enterprises and SMEs in the areas of the green and digital transitions and to ensure the stability and predictability of RDI support instruments.

The investment includes the co-financing of cooperation projects between research organisations and businesses at all levels of technological development. It will be implemented through calls for proposals to select the consortia of research organisations and businesses.

Co-financing of projects to enhance the international mobility of Slovenian researchers and research organisations and to promote the international involvement of Slovenian applicants – investment

The investment aims to enhance scientific excellence, research capacity, and knowledge transfer and circulation through the promotion of international and cross-sectoral mobility and reintegration of researchers into the Slovenian RDI landscape.

The investment consists of a public call with several openings for the selection and financing of projects promoting mobility and/or reintegration and financing the costs of implementing RDI activities and capacity building for the acquisition and transfer of knowledge to the Slovenian research sector in line with Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions.

Co-financing of investments in RDI demonstration and pilot projects – investment

The objectives of the investment are to improve Slovenia’s innovation performance by increasing public and private investment in RDI, to strengthen public–private cooperation and the integration of the wider innovation ecosystem, and to stimulate entrepreneurial investment for the green transition, in particular in relation to the circular economy.

The investment will be implemented through a public call for proposals to select projects of the consortia of companies and research organisations. It will co-finance the costs of research and development activities in the field of industrial research and experimental development and of the testing and deployment of solutions in a real-life environment.