The Commission has today endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Slovenia’s payment request for€231 million in grants (net of pre-financing) and €310 million in loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU.
On 15 September 2023, Slovenia submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the achievement of the41 milestones and three targets selected in the Council Implementing Decision for its second payment request. This included the second and third grant instalment and the first loan instalment.
A set of transformativereforms is included. The new Flood Risk Management Plan addresses one of the most relevant climate change risks in Slovenia. Other reforms aim to promote the use of renewable energy, and of alternative fuels in transport, and provide a new framework for public passenger transport. The adoption of a broadband plan supports Slovenia’s digital transformation path, as well as reforms related to the issuance of e-identity cards enabling citizens to access electronic services.
The payment request also covers significant investments in the digital transformation of businesses and their innovative ecosystems, in railways, the electricity network, drinking and wastewater infrastructure, energy efficiency in district heating, tourism and culture, investments in modernising higher education and new IT infrastructure for public authorities. With the newly established one-stop shop for the circular economy and with innovative public procurement practices and a capital markets strategy, the achieved milestones continue to make Slovenia greener.
With this request, the Slovenian authorities have provided detailed and comprehensive evidence demonstrating the fulfilment of 41 milestones and three targets. The Commission has thoroughly assessed this information before presenting its positive preliminary assessment of the payment request.
The Slovenian national recovery and resilience plan, which includes a REPowerEU chapter, covers a wide range of investments and reforms in 17 thematic components. The plan will be supported by€1.61 billion in grants, out of which €121 million allocated to REPowerEU, and€1.07 billion in loans. €231 million in grants was disbursed to Slovenia in pre-financing on 17 September 2021 and an additional €50 million in grants was disbursed on 20 April 2023, following the first payment request.
Payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Member States implementing the investments and reforms outlined in their respective recovery and resilience plans.
Next steps
The Commission has now sent its positive preliminary assessment of Slovenia’s fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. Following the EFC’s opinion, the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial contribution, in accordance with the examination procedure, through a comitology committee. Following the adoption of the decision by the Commission, the disbursement to Slovenia can take place.
The Commission will assess further payment requests by Slovenia based on the fulfilment of the milestones and targets outlined in the Council Implementing Decision approving the plan, reflecting progress on the implementation of the investments and reforms.
The amounts disbursed to the Member States are published in the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard, which shows progress of the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans.
For More Information
Preliminary assessment of Slovenia’s second payment request
Questions and answers on Slovenia’s second payment request
Preliminary assessment of the first payment request of Slovenia
Press Release: European Commission disburses €231 million in pre-financing to Slovenia
Questions and Answers on Slovenia’s disbursement request under NextGenerationEU
Commission implementing Decision on the authorisation of the first disbursement to Slovenia
European Commission endorses Slovenia’s modified RRP
Factsheet: Slovenia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan
Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision
Annex to the Council Implementing Decision
Staff Working DocumentRecovery and Resilience Facility
Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard
Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation
Question and Answers on the Recovery and Resilience Facility
Quotes
Today’s positive preliminary assessment of Slovenia’s payment request is another important step in the implementation of its recovery and resilience plan – and a piece of good news for the country after such a challenging year. Our assessment found that Slovenia has successfully implemented the 41 milestones and three targets linked to its payment request. These include reforms to strengthen flood protection, boost sustainable mobility and accelerate digitalisation, as well as investments in transport, energy and wastewater infrastructure. Once the relevant procedures are finalised, we will be able to make a payment of €541 million in grants and loans, providing further strong support for the delivery of Slovenia’s crucial reform and investment agenda.
Another step forward for Slovenia as it achieves the next milestones and targets set out in its Recovery and Resilience Plan – congratulations. Given the recent catastrophic floods, Slovenia is speeding up implementation of its flood protection and prevention measures. To decarbonise the energy and transport sectors, Slovenia is promoting greater use of renewable energy, pressing ahead with the sustainable renovation of buildings and investing in drinking and wastewater infrastructure. On digital, Slovenia is working to get gigabit connectivity for all households and businesses, with uninterrupted 5G coverage for all populated areas. Once the Commission’s assessment is reviewed and approved by Member States, Slovenia should receive €541 million in grants and loans for this second payment request.
Great news for Slovenia. Once Member States give their agreement, Slovenia will receive €541 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Slovenia continues to make good progress in the roll-out of its plan, with important reforms such as the new flood risk management plan, as well as the ones relating to digital public services and to bolster domestic transport networks. Dobro opravljeno, Slovenija! We are by your side.
Q&A on Slovenia’s second disbursement request under NextGenerationEU
Brussels, 27 November 2023
How did the Commission assess Slovenia’s second payment request?
On 15 September 2023, Slovenia submitted to the Commission a request for the disbursement of €231 million in grants(net of pre-financing) and €310 million in loans following the implementation of 41 milestones and three targets, as outlined in Council Implementing Decision, approving the plan.
A set of transformativere forms is included. The new Flood Risk Management Plan addresses one of the most relevant climate change risks in Slovenia. Other reforms aim to promote the use of renewable energy sources, and the use of alternative fuels in transport, and provide a new framework for public passenger transport. The adoption of a broadband plan supports Slovenia’s digital transformation path, as well as the reforms related to the issuance of e-identity cards enabling citizens to access electronic services.
The payment request also covers significant investments in the digital transformation of businesses and their innovative ecosystems, in railways, the electricity network, drinking and wastewater infrastructure, energy efficiency in district heating, tourism and culture, investments in modernising higher education and new IT infrastructure for public authorities. With the newly established one-stop shop for the circular economy and with innovative public procurement practices and a capital markets strategy, the achieved milestones continue to make Slovenia greener, more digital and business-friendly.
The Slovenian authorities provided detailed and comprehensive evidence demonstrating the fulfilment of the 41 milestones and three targets. The Commission has thoroughly assessed this information before presenting its positive preliminary assessment of the payment request.
What are the next steps?
The Commission has now sent its positive preliminary assessment of Slovenia’s fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. Following the EFC’s opinion, the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial contribution, in accordance with the examination procedure, through a comitology committee. Following the adoption of the decision by the Commission, the disbursement to Slovenia can take place. The Commission will assess further payment requests by Slovenia based on the fulfilment of the milestones and targets outlined in the Council Implementing Decision, reflecting progress on the implementation of the investments and reforms.
How do the milestones and targets achieved by Slovenia so far effectively support the green transition?
In the context of its third payment request, Slovenia is supporting its green transition through a number of measures.
With the entry into force of the new Flood Risk Management Plan for 2023-2027, Slovenia is speeding up the planning and implementation offlood protection and preventionmeasures. Following the devastating floods in August, the October modification of the plan expanded the geographical areas where flood protection projects can be implemented, to take account of the reality on the ground. In total, there are €240 million in RRF funds earmarked for flood protection measures. Furthermore, the modification of the plan introduced two additional projects – upgrading the Bohinjska and Koroška railways lines, both damaged during the summer storms and floods. The Slovenian recovery plan will co-finance these two projects with €182 million.
Measures to promote sustainable transport aim to make public passenger transport a more viable, interconnected and accessible option for travelling. A comprehensive legal framework for alternative fuels in transport also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in railway infrastructure, such as upgrading railway sections and stations, will improve transport services and allow for quicker travelling times on the TEN-T network.
Slovenia has introduced a reform concerning the resilience of forest biodiversity, which will reduce the risk of both the introduction and spreading of forest pests and ensure the transparent tracking of forest reproductive material.
Three milestones are dedicated to the sustainable renovation of buildings. This investment concerns publicly owned buildings of high administrative and social importance and of publicly owned residential buildings, for which a minimum of 30% energy savings overall will be achieved. In addition, this investment includes individual upgrades of technical building systems, such as air-conditioning, at national, regional and local level. By adopting the Strategy for greening education and research infrastructure, Slovenia sets a framework to improve energy efficiency in public education and research buildings, reduce CO2 emissions and increase the production and consumption of energy from renewable sources and ventilation systems on already energy-renovated buildings.
In relation to water management, two milestones are supporting the construction of new, or the reconstruction of existing, wastewater discharge and treatment systems to decrease energy consumption and contribute to the conservation of nature protection areas. In addition, two milestones are supporting the construction of new, or the reconstruction of existing, drinking water supply systems to reduce water loss and improve the energy efficiency of these systems.
Furthermore, Slovenia has launched 38 pilot projects that are testing solutions for integrating digital and sustainable development competences in higher education curricula, preparing the ground for a higher education study programmes fit for the future.
How do the milestones and targets achieved by Slovenia so far effectively contribute to the digital transition?
Under the second payment request, Slovenia has put forward a variety of measures that contribute to the digital transition.
For instance, four milestones are related to the simplification of the provision of electronic public administration services and the further digitalisation of administrative processes, as well as establishing the legal basis for the issuance ofe-identity cards and setting out the guidelines for innovative public procurement.
In addition, the Broadband Plan for the Development of Gigabit Infrastructure until 2030 has been adopted. The plan aims to establish, and in part, promote the use of infrastructure that will enable Gigabit connectivity for all Slovenian households or inhabited dwellings and businesses. It aims at uninterrupted 5G coverage for all urban and other populated areas and major terrestrial transport routes. In terms of investments, 20 consortia of large enterprises and SMEs have prepared their digital strategies, and 11,000 users now have access to the new Police digital radio network (TETRA) of national authorities.
Furthermore, Slovenia has launched 38 pilot projects that are testing solutions for integrating digital and sustainable development competences in higher education curricula, preparing the ground for higher education study programmes of the future.
How do the milestones and targets achieved by Slovenia so far contribute to improving its economic and social situation, and its resilience?
In the first phase of implementing the measure Faster entry of young people into the labour market, 700 unemployed persons below the age of 30 were hired based on indefinite-time contracts. For at least 18 months, a mentor will support these people in the workplace. They will participate in 30 hours of training, with a focus on improving their digital skills.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has selected 38 pilot projects that are testing solutions for integrating digital and sustainable development competences in higher education curricula, with the aim of increasing the labour market outcomes.
Does the achievement of these milestones and targets contribute to an effective implementation of the plan?
The implementation of the Slovenian recovery and resilience plan has picked up the pace and is on the right path thanks to the satisfactory fulfilment of the milestones and targets under the second payment request. All three instalments under this payment request include important measures that contribute to both the green and digital transition of Slovenia.
For More Information
Preliminary assessment of Slovenia’s second payment request
Preliminary assessment of the first payment request of Slovenia
Press Release: European Commission disburses €231 million in pre-financing to Slovenia
Questions and Answers on Slovenia’s disbursement request under NextGenerationEU
Commission implementing Decision on the authorisation of the first disbursement to Slovenia
European Commission endorses Slovenia’s modified RRP
Factsheet: Slovenia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan
Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision
Annex to the Council Implementing Decision
Staff Working Document
Recovery and Resilience Facility
Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard
Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation
Question and Answers on the Recovery and Resilience Facility
Source – EU Commission