Slovenia needs balanced regional development

SLOVENIA, November 10 - Representatives of the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development presented the draft Strategy to representatives of the Gorenjska Development Region. They outline the existing development disparities between regions, the causes behind them, and a proposal for a new regional development model that would shift from centralisation toward a polycentric development.

“In 2023, the most developed region, the Osrednjeslovenska region, achieved 148 per cent of Slovenia’s average GDP per capita, while the least developed region, the Zasavje region, achieved only 55 per cent. No other region except Osrednjeslovenska matches the national average, which is why Slovenia continues to lag behind in productivity compared to the most developed EU countries,” underlined State Secretary Đurov.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has designed a more decisive approach to regional policy through the draft Regional Development Strategy by 2050. The Strategy outlines a vision where everyone has access to a higher-value job within a 35-kilometre radius of their homes, in a healthy, safe, and green environment, and outlines the proposed implementation. The Ministry proposes an economic transformation with a connected management system aligning national and regional priorities. The Ministry stresses that balanced regional development must become a key priority for every government.

The Strategy is based on the proposed amendment to the Promotion of Balanced Regional Development Act (ZSRR-2) and represents a key upgrade to the existing framework. According to Dr. Robert Drobnič, Director-General of the Regional Development Directorate, now is the right time for a new regional development model – one that will enable more balanced and faster development of the regions and Slovenia as a whole. Slovenia’s Regional Development Strategy will combine sectoral and territorial perspectives, enabling better coordination of the development priorities of the regions and the state. “We want to achieve greater policy coherence and more efficient use of public funds,” said Dr. Drobnič.

“When we talk about the twelve Slovenian development regions, we currently have one top performer and eleven regions that have great potential to become top performers, but require well-thought-out and coordinated measures. Our vision is that by 2050, Slovenia will be a country of connected regions with balanced development, where residents will have access to quality jobs within a 35-kilometre radius of their homes. At the same time, a high quality of life will be ensured with good access to services of general interest,” Đurov stressed.

The presentation in Tržič will be followed by presentations in other Slovenian development regions in the coming days, where stakeholders will have the opportunity to express their opinions and contribute to the drafting of the strategy.

Statement by State Secretary Đurov

When we talk about the twelve Slovenian development regions, we currently have one top performer and eleven regions that have great potential to become top performers, but require well-thought-out and coordinated measures. Our goal is to enhance the well-being of all Slovenian inhabitants across all regions. Our vision is that by 2050, Slovenia will be a country of connected regions with balanced development, where residents will have access to quality jobs within a 35-kilometre radius of their homes. At the same time, a high quality of life will be ensured with good access to services of general interest.

Statement by the Director-General of the Regional Development Directorate, Dr. Drobnič

Slovenia’s Regional Development Strategy will combine sectoral and territorial perspectives, enabling more effective coordination of the development priorities of the regions and the state. We want to achieve greater policy coherence and more efficient use of public funds, including by reducing the current fragmentation of regional incentives in terms of their purpose and financing. The Strategy will give greater weight to regional development and enable more accurate monitoring and evaluation.