The 7th regular session of the Development Council of the Koroške region took place

At the beginning, those present were informed about the multiannual financial framework 2028-2034 and the starting points for the new programming period 2028-2034 . The presentation was given by the regional administrator Tomaž Kranjec from the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development. Among the key priorities, he highlighted investing in people, Member States and regions, strengthening education, social rights and democracy, promoting competitiveness, research and innovation, better protecting people and strengthening preparedness and resilience, protecting Europe and strengthening partnerships for a stronger role of Europe in the world.

Among the major changes brought by the new programming period are greater flexibility and faster response to crises, simplification of rules, greater importance of reforms alongside investments, and more targeted achievement of development results. Special emphasis will also be placed on supporting competitiveness.

He also outlined the expected effects of the changes. The number of programs is expected to be reduced from the current 52 to 16, with greater emphasis on achieving concrete development results and strengthening international competitiveness. He stressed that the country's success will largely depend on the preparation of quality reforms and strategic projects, as well as on its successful participation in European competitive programs.

This was followed by a presentation of the Regulation on Regional Development Programmes and the Guidelines for the Preparation of Regional Development Programmes for the Period 2028-2034 , which were recently amended. The common thread will be the development transformation of the region.

Following the adopted decision, the Regional Development Agency will begin preparing a regional development program for the period 2028-2034 . The deadline for preparation is very short, and we expect the draft to be ready by the end of this year. In the meantime, mayors are warning of difficulties in co-financing projects for the current period.

The Development Council of the Koroške region also took note of the progress of the preparation of the Regional Spatial Plan Koroške of the development region and the key changes between the second and third working drafts. Following a public consultation held between 20 June and 31 July 2026, the comments and suggestions received were reviewed and appropriately incorporated into the preparation of the third working draft. This draft also includes the findings from the comprehensive environmental impact assessment. Among the new features highlighted are strengthened environmental guidelines, greater emphasis on the renovation and reuse of existing areas, prevention of conflicts between economic and residential areas, possible exceptions for facilities that support the cultural landscape, and the addition of charging parks.

The third working draft of the RPP and the environmental report will be publicly disclosed at the end of 2026, when the public will again have the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions.

The agreement for the development of the Carinthia region for the period 2021-2027 includes 19 projects, for which 21.4 million euros of cohesion funds are planned. Of the 19 projects, the decision to allocate funds has been confirmed for six projects, while the others have not yet been approved. Two projects already have an implementation contract (PONI RRA Koroška and RCM Koroška).

Some municipalities that have already sent applications for co-financing projects to the competent ministries for approval are facing difficulties in approving the applications due to the excessive number of feedback comments and consequently have to allocate funds. Among them is the Municipality of Prevalje with the Jezero Park development project, which is already open.