Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development approves EUR 12.9 million in EU funding for potential entrepreneurs

Ljubljana, 26 April 2024 – The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for 12 Entrepreneurial approach to addressing challenges (PONI) projects across Slovenia. A total of EUR 12,921,484.80 of European Regional Development Fund support will be allocated to the twelve projects.

By approving the EU funding, the Ministry is supporting entrepreneurship training for people who want to realise their business idea, thus promoting entrepreneurship throughout Slovenia. PONI is a 4-month entrepreneurship training programme for people who want to realise an entrepreneurial idea and turn it into commercially interesting products and services with the help of mentors and through training and counselling. Participants acquire the key entrepreneurial skills for embarking on their entrepreneurial path. The training programme guides the participants from developing a business idea to creating a business model and a business plan. The programme provides the participants with a comprehensive introduction to all relevant areas of entrepreneurship. Participants can use the physical infrastructure (premises and equipment) according to the co-working concept (sharing of office and equipment). By fostering the formation of entrepreneurial teams, participants will also acquire new skills, form new friendships and business opportunities, as well as share experiences and examples of good practice.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for:

• BSC, Business Support Centre, d. o. o., Kranj for the PONI project in the Gorenjska region, EUR 615,308.80 of EU funding,
• Development Centre Murska Sobota for the PONI project in the Pomurje region, EUR1,307,531.20 of EU funding,
• Regional Development Agency of Northern Primorska d.o.o., Nova Gorica (RDA North Primorska) for the PONI project in the Goriška region, EUR 615,308.80 of EU funding,
• Regional Development Agency Zasavje for the PONI project in the Zasavje region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funding,
• Regional Development Agency for Podravje – Maribor for the PONI project in the Podravje region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funding,
• Development Agency of the Savinjska Region, d.o.o. (DASR) for the PONI project in the Savinjska region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funding,
• Regional Development Centre Koper (Centro regionale di sviluppo Capodistria) for the PONI project in the Obalno-kraška region, EUR 615,308.80 of EU funding,
• Regional Development Agency Zeleni kras, d.o.o. (RDA Zeleni kras) for the PONI project in the Primorsko-Notranjska region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funding,
• Development Centre Novo mesto for the PONI project in the Jugovzhodna Slovenija region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funding,
• Regional Development Agency Koroška, d.o.o. (RDA Koroška) for the PONI project in the Koroška region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funds,
• Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RDA LUR) for the PONI project in the Ljubljana urban region, EUR 615,308.80 of EU funding and
• Regional Development Agency Posavje for the PONI project in the Posavje region, EUR 1,307,531.20 of EU funding.

All the abovementioned projects are implemented under Slovenia’s Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027, under the priority Innovative knowledge-based society, and pursue the specific objective of Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments.

Photo: Freepik