Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

The National Programme for Youth in Slovenia (2013) identified key policies and guidelines, including the need to devote special attention to risk factors for poverty and social exclusion among young people. Its other guidelines refer to improving social inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, the principle of equal opportunities for men and women and the prevention of discrimination, with particular attention to victims of social exclusion (e.g. Roma people, disabled persons).

Social inclusion in other sectoral policies

Among three key objectives related directly to the development of the social protection system during the period 2022–2030, the National Social Assistance Programme 2022–2030 (Resolucija o nacionalnem programu socialnega varstva za obdobje 2022–2030) emphasises reducing the risk of poverty and increasing social inclusion among socially disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. One of the strategic goals of The Resolution on the National Programme of Sport of the Republic of Slovenia 2014–2023 (Resolucija o Nacionalnem programu športa v Republiki Sloveniji za obdobje 2014–2023) is to help certain children and adolescents (e.g. children and adolescents with special needs, those who are socially excluded) in terms of social skills and healthy development. The Resolution on the National Programme on Illicit Drugs 2023–2030 (Resolucija o nacionalnem programu na področju prepovedanih drog 2023–2030) promotes specific programmes for social integration of drug users. The term social inclusion also features in other key documents in the fields of education (e.g. the Elementary School Act), health and housing (e.g. the National Housing Programme).

Scope and contents

National Programme for Youth

Section 6 (Youth and society and the significance of the youth sector) of the National Programme for Youth in Slovenia includes a special objective (Increased social inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities) addressing poverty and social exclusion. The expected developmental impact is to ensure full social participation of young people with fewer opportunities and to minimise the risk of poverty. Priority subsection 15 in the National Programme for Youth in Slovenia concerns improvement and strengthening of programmes that promote and support social inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Other participants include the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and social partners. Funding is/will be provided within the available resources of the budget of the Republic of Slovenia; the priority will remain in place until 2022. 

Responsible authority

The National Programme was prepared under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth (Ministry of Education, Science and Sport); different ministries are responsible for different measures, as follows.

1. Measures in the field of youth housing are under the auspices of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Finance.
2. Measures in the field of youth and society and the significance of the youth sector are under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

All authorities cooperate with other government or non-government institutions (e.g. National Youth Council of Slovenia, Youth Centres, youth organisations) in the implementation process.

Network social programmes aimed at preventing and resolving social distress of vulnerable population groups are under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Centres for social work actively participate in identifying specific needs on the local level.

Other programmes and its authority:

• The Resolution on the National Programme of Sport of the Republic of Slovenia 2026-2035(Resolucija o nacionalnem programu športa v Republiki Sloveniji za obdobje 2026–2035, under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport)
• Resolution on the National Programme on Illicit Drugs 2023–2030 (under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health)

Revisions/Updates

• It is envisaged that the National Youth Programme will be revised every three years, based on research related to the social position of youth in Slovenia. The current strategy (National Programme for Youth 2013–2022) has undergone no revisions or updates, with only a few changes to the action plans through which the National Programme is realised—for example, the amount of financing has changed, some authorities have been replaced and new enforcement instruments have been introduced.