The 1st regular session of the Koroške Regional Council for the 2025/2026 term was held in Podvelka

The 1st regular session of the Koroške Regional Council for the 2025/2026 term was held in Podvelka on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and was chaired by the chairman, Mayor of the Municipality of Podvelka Miran Pušnik. Several topics of great importance to the region were discussed.

The first item discussed by those present was the regulation on the designation of health regions . In the past, a letter was sent to the competent services on behalf of the Koroške Council of the region with numerous arguments as to why we do not want changes, but they were not taken into account at the state level. This is disappointing, as Koroška is a specific region. The mayors present agreed that this topic should be addressed when the current government visits Koroškem and that our primary goal must be to prevent the current situation from worsening and to maintain what has already been established.

This was followed by an overview of the status of projects within the framework of the Regional Development Agreement . Director RRA Koroška Uroš Rozman explained that the region has identified 19 projects within the framework of the Regional Development Agreement with a total value of just over 25 million euros. Of these, one is already being implemented, one has received a decision on support and is awaiting the signing of a contract. Seven projects are currently being considered by ministries, where a response is still awaited, and ten projects are still being prepared by municipalities and will be submitted to the relevant ministry shortly.

The mayors present then paid attention to information on the progress of the preparation of the program under Article 99 of the Act on Reconstruction, Development and Provision of Financial Resources. The mayors hope that the government will confirm the program during its visit to the session, which is of exceptional importance for the Koroško region, as it will bring extensive financial resources to the region. The program also includes state projects such as the Slovenj Gradec General Hospital, the Slovenj Gradec Home for the Elderly extension, the CUDV Črna na Koroškem and the Home for the Elderly Mislinja, which will receive funding for implementation from these resources. At the same time, municipalities will be able to apply for tenders for projects in the fields of education and kindergartens, tourist infrastructure and business zones. The total value of the program is estimated at 135 million euros.

The Regional Shelter for Abandoned Animals was also discussed at Koroškem . The project is currently in the land acquisition phase. This will be followed by the preparation of investment and project documentation, which will be the basis for obtaining financial resources and starting construction. The exact date of the start of the shelter's operation cannot be announced at this time, as the project depends on several stakeholders and procedures. Nevertheless, we are striving to implement it as soon as possible, as we are aware of the necessity of establishing appropriate infrastructure in the region.

The regional council was informed of the announcement of the call for proposals by the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport , which aims to improve the sustainable development and management of Slovenian tourism organizations by establishing regional tourism organizations. Due to the overnight stay criterion, the destination Koroška does not yet meet the conditions for an independent regional tourism organization, therefore activities are underway to connect with neighboring destinations.

RRA Koroška also addressed an initiative to municipal representatives to grant access to the eTourism system , which would provide insight into the structure of visitors Koroške without a time lag, with the aim of establishing a regional analytical overview of flows Koroške. The aim is to ensure better understanding of the structure of guests, regularly monitor indicators, prepare high-quality targeted promotional activities and ensure greater advertising efficiency.

The regional council also discussed the reorganization of tourist information centers Koroške , which in the long term envisages the establishment of three key TICs in each valley, as well as a digital upgrade of some existing ones and synergies at tourist-populated points in cooperation with tourism economic stakeholders. The mayors' position is that providers should also be included in this discussion.

Thank you to all the mayors and guests present for the constructive and productive discussion. Only together and connected can we make great strides.