Slovenia achieves full absorption of 2007-2013 ERDF and CF resources

Ljubljana, 3 August 2018 – Slovenia has officially reached the 100% absorption target by fully spending the ERDF and CF resources that were allocated to our country in the 2007-2013 period. After reviewing the final reports for the operational programmes for strengthening regional development potentials and environmental and transport infrastructure development, which were the basis for the allocation of national Cohesion Policy funding, the European Commission gave green light to the payment of the final balance. The final report for ESF resources is being reviewed.   

The funding made available through 2007-2013 Cohesion Policy programmes was spent from 2007 until the end of 2015; this cut off date marked the deadline for payment reimbursement claims. While 2015 proved to be a particularly demanding and tough year for Slovenia, the country still managed to make it to the top four in terms of performance through increased spending of the allocated resources. Slovenia was also among the eight Member States which managed to get 95% of the available EUR 4 billion reimbursed in the national budget even before the official closure of the programming period. According to the Commission notification, the Commission will proceed to making the payment of the final balance accounting for 5% of the remainder of the available funding within 45 days. Thus, Slovenia is to receive EUR 167.26 million (EUR 89.16 million and EUR 78.10 million from OP SRDP and OP ETID respectively) now that the final reports have been approved. The final report for the operational programme for human resources development, which is expected to bring additional EUR 38 million in Slovenia’s pocket, is still being reviewed by the Commission services.   

It is expected that Slovenia will officially close the 2007-2013 period by fully spending the allocated financial resources. A number of successful projects which made a real difference and helped improve the lives of Slovenians were delivered thanks to Cohesion Policy funding. This could not have been achieved had the government departments, beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders involved in the implementation of EU Cohesion Policy in Slovenia not worked closely together. Over 6,000 success stories involving individuals, organisations, firms and others are a testament that Cohesion Policy leaves a lasting mark on all of us and our environment.

Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 was implemented in challenging times. Europe was hit by the economic and financial crisis, which limited public investment – making Cohesion Policy funds even more vital for growth and job creation. An independent expert evaluation of 2007-2013 funding found that Cohesion Policy investments had positive, tangible results ranging from job creation, positive impact on regional disparities and an increase in GDP. EUR 346.5 billion were invested across the EU to reduce disparities between regions and to promote balanced and sustainable development. Over EUR 4 billion were spent in Slovenia alone. According to Commission estimate, every euro of Cohesion Policy investment during 2007-2013 will generate EUR 2.74 of additional GDP by 2023 (more), when the official closure of the 2014-2020 period comes in. Slovenia has over EUR 3 billion made available in the 2014-2020 period for the Growth and Jobs Goal to create added value. 65% of the allocated resources, i.e. over EUR 2 billion, have already been committed; translated in figures this stands for 347 issued grant decisions for projects, programmes or calls for proposals, and roughly the same amount of project contracts signed.