The meeting on 6 March 2013 gathered around 80 representatives and raised considerable interest and enthusiasm particularly from human rights, anti-corruption, environmental and youth organisations among others.
The funding, worth €1.8 million, is much welcomed at a time of additional cuts in spending and increasing unemployment. Youth unemployment particularly, and engaging and empowering youth was one of the main issues of concern for the participants, who welcomed the possibility of focusing part of the funding on this specific target group. Other areas of support will include human rights, democracy, good governance and transparency, social inclusion, service provision and environmental awareness.
The meeting was organised by the NGO Programme Fund Operator REC Slovenia (Regional Environment Center) in partnership with CNVOS (Centre for information service, co‐operation and development of NGOs).
The objective of the NGO programme in Slovenia is to strengthened civil society development and enhanced contribution to social justice, democracy and sustainable development.
The approval of the programme is expected to take place in April 2013.
Information on the programme will be available after the programme is approved on the websites of REC and CNVOS.