Consensus-Building
#10Key Findings
In the category of consensus-building, Slovenia falls into the upper-middle ranks internationally (rank 10).
The government has established an expert advisory body focused on scientific research and innovation activities. This includes ministers and representatives from various research institutions.
Slovenia’s neocorporatist system integrates business and labor representatives into policymaking through the Economic and Social Council. This influence extends even beyond labor legislation. Social welfare groups are less influential, but are included on working groups established for specific topics.
The government elected in 2022 has been more receptive to environmental groups than its predecessor. A Climate Council has been created as an independent scientific advisory body for climate policy. The state has long had a robust open data and data reuse policy.
The government has established an expert advisory body focused on scientific research and innovation activities. This includes ministers and representatives from various research institutions.
Slovenia’s neocorporatist system integrates business and labor representatives into policymaking through the Economic and Social Council. This influence extends even beyond labor legislation. Social welfare groups are less influential, but are included on working groups established for specific topics.
The government elected in 2022 has been more receptive to environmental groups than its predecessor. A Climate Council has been created as an independent scientific advisory body for climate policy. The state has long had a robust open data and data reuse policy.
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To what extent is the government successful in effectively harnessing the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes?
10
9
9
The government is able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
8
7
6
7
6
In most cases, the government is able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
5
4
3
4
3
Only rarely is the government able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
2
1
1
The government is not able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
The Government Office and the ministries collaborate with non-state actors and experts in various ways. To establish dialogue with civil society organizations and non-governmental professional institutions in specific areas, the government co-establishes working committees and other bodies. The civil society organizations and professional institutions determine their own representatives.
In 2022 and 2023, the government set up several working committees comprising representatives from civil society and academia. In October 2022, the government established the Development Council of the Republic of Slovenia – an expert advisory body focused on scientific research and innovation activities – which includes ministers and representatives from various research institutions. Additionally, the Public Agency for Research and Innovation, along with the ministries, is preparing a call for targeted research projects that address political topics the government needs to tackle. Research institutes and universities are eligible to participate in these tenders.
Citations:
Official Journal. 2021. Poslovnik vlade Republike Slovenije. http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=POSL32
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Delovna telesa vlade.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa?start=140
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Razvojni svet Republike Slovenije.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/razvojni-svet
In 2022 and 2023, the government set up several working committees comprising representatives from civil society and academia. In October 2022, the government established the Development Council of the Republic of Slovenia – an expert advisory body focused on scientific research and innovation activities – which includes ministers and representatives from various research institutions. Additionally, the Public Agency for Research and Innovation, along with the ministries, is preparing a call for targeted research projects that address political topics the government needs to tackle. Research institutes and universities are eligible to participate in these tenders.
Citations:
Official Journal. 2021. Poslovnik vlade Republike Slovenije. http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=POSL32
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Delovna telesa vlade.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa?start=140
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Razvojni svet Republike Slovenije.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/razvojni-svet
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To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of trade unions and business organizations in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
Slovenia’s neo-corporatist system positions business and labor representatives as key non-state actors in the policymaking process. The Economic and Social Council (ESC) institutionalizes the participation of the government, ministries, and business and labor representatives, where these parties discuss policy and consider the interests of both employers and employees. This involvement extends beyond labor legislation.
Coordination between the government and social partners within the ESC framework occurs through ESC meetings, meetings of the ESC college, and gatherings of negotiating groups and expert committees. The ESC college has been active since 2017, alongside the negotiating groups and expert committees.
During Prime Minister Cerar’s term, the ESC held 65 monthly meetings, averaging 1.35 meetings per month, each lasting about 3 hours and 2 minutes. Under Prime Minister Šarec, ESC members participated in 17 meetings, averaging 0.94 meetings per month, with each meeting lasting about 3 hours and 20 minutes. During Prime Minister Janša’s term, 16 ESC meetings were held until May 2021, averaging 1.10 meetings per month, with each meeting lasting about 5 hours and 6 minutes. After May 2021, the ESC ceased to meet due to the withdrawal of the trade unions. In July 2021, the president of the ESC wrote to council members, urging them to revive social dialogue and warning of the harmful consequences of inaction and lack of coordination.
ESC members met with Acting Prime Minister Golob for the first time on July 15, 2022, more than a year after the last meeting. During this meeting, the prime minister presented the government’s priorities for the 2022 – 2026 term. The ESC held 12 regular meetings until July 2023. However, since then, employers’ organizations, which had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction and concern about the inadequate tripartite social dialogue over the past year, have withdrawn from the ESC until conditions for genuine tripartite social dialogue are guaranteed. In September 2023, the president of the ESC wrote to council members and the Prime Minister’s Office, urging the revival of social dialogue.
Citations:
Ekonomsko socialna svet. 2023. “Aktualno.” http://www.ess.si/ess/ess-si.nsf/ekonomsko-socialni-svet/seja%20Ekonomsko-socialnega%20sveta
Coordination between the government and social partners within the ESC framework occurs through ESC meetings, meetings of the ESC college, and gatherings of negotiating groups and expert committees. The ESC college has been active since 2017, alongside the negotiating groups and expert committees.
During Prime Minister Cerar’s term, the ESC held 65 monthly meetings, averaging 1.35 meetings per month, each lasting about 3 hours and 2 minutes. Under Prime Minister Šarec, ESC members participated in 17 meetings, averaging 0.94 meetings per month, with each meeting lasting about 3 hours and 20 minutes. During Prime Minister Janša’s term, 16 ESC meetings were held until May 2021, averaging 1.10 meetings per month, with each meeting lasting about 5 hours and 6 minutes. After May 2021, the ESC ceased to meet due to the withdrawal of the trade unions. In July 2021, the president of the ESC wrote to council members, urging them to revive social dialogue and warning of the harmful consequences of inaction and lack of coordination.
ESC members met with Acting Prime Minister Golob for the first time on July 15, 2022, more than a year after the last meeting. During this meeting, the prime minister presented the government’s priorities for the 2022 – 2026 term. The ESC held 12 regular meetings until July 2023. However, since then, employers’ organizations, which had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction and concern about the inadequate tripartite social dialogue over the past year, have withdrawn from the ESC until conditions for genuine tripartite social dialogue are guaranteed. In September 2023, the president of the ESC wrote to council members and the Prime Minister’s Office, urging the revival of social dialogue.
Citations:
Ekonomsko socialna svet. 2023. “Aktualno.” http://www.ess.si/ess/ess-si.nsf/ekonomsko-socialni-svet/seja%20Ekonomsko-socialnega%20sveta
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of leading social welfare CSOs in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
Including civil society organizations in social welfare is not as systematic as including representatives of capital and labor. Instead, representatives of social welfare organizations are often included in government working groups established for specific topics.
In the last two years, several new working groups have been formed. In October 2022, the Working Group for the Preparation of the Strategy in the Field of Migration was established. This was followed in February 2023 by the Committee for Monitoring the Program of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Program of the Fund for Internal Security, and the Program of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy under the Integrated Border Management Fund. In May 2023, the Working Group for the Preparation of the Strategy in the Field of Integration of Foreigners was set up. Additionally, in April 2023, the Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Children and Family was established as a permanent advisory body to the government. Its members include representatives of non-governmental organizations and professional institutions active in the field of children and families, as well as representatives of the government.
Citations:
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Delovna telese Vlade.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa?start=0
In the last two years, several new working groups have been formed. In October 2022, the Working Group for the Preparation of the Strategy in the Field of Migration was established. This was followed in February 2023 by the Committee for Monitoring the Program of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Program of the Fund for Internal Security, and the Program of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy under the Integrated Border Management Fund. In May 2023, the Working Group for the Preparation of the Strategy in the Field of Integration of Foreigners was set up. Additionally, in April 2023, the Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Children and Family was established as a permanent advisory body to the government. Its members include representatives of non-governmental organizations and professional institutions active in the field of children and families, as well as representatives of the government.
Citations:
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Delovna telese Vlade.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa?start=0
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of leading environmental CSOs in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
When the government passed and enforced restrictive legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic targeting civil society organizations working for environmental rights, these organizations quickly responded with protests and lobbying activities. Nevertheless, the government succeeded in adopting new criteria for civil society organizations to challenge decisions on environmental issues. For example, civil society organizations had to have at least 50 active members in the previous two years. As a result, many organizations were excluded from this procedure.
After the elections, when the center-left parties formed a coalition, civil society organizations prepared a law to counteract the previous government’s detrimental measures. This law, passed in July 2022, eliminated the impossible conditions for environmental civil society organizations to participate in administrative and judicial proceedings under the Nature Conservation Act.
In June 2023, the government established the Climate Council as the nation’s independent scientific advisory body for climate policy. In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, the government adopted the rules of procedure for the Climate Council in 2022, regulating its functioning, and issued the decree on its establishment in 2023, thus creating the conditions for the first Slovenian scientific advisory body for climate policy.
Members of the Climate Council serve six-year terms and provide scientific advice through expert opinions and recommendations on established and proposed climate policy measures, ensuring their compliance with ratified international treaties and the EU legal order on climate change. Another key task of the council is to participate in developing climate change legislation. In 2023, the council met three times.
Candidates for the Climate Council are independent experts in climate change mitigation and adaptation, representing the natural and technical sciences as well as the social sciences and humanities.
In November 2022, the government established the Interdepartmental Working Group for International Climate Issues, comprising representatives from various ministries. The group’s tasks include developing draft positions for international climate negotiations. Representatives of non-governmental organizations are not regularly included in this interdepartmental group. In April 2023, the government established an interministerial working group to support Slovenia’s comprehensive strategic project of decarbonization as part of the transition to a circular economy.
Citations:
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Podnebni svet.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/podnebni-svet/
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Medresorska delovna skupina za usmerjanje Celovitega strateškega projekta razogljičenja Slovenije preko prehoda v krožno gospodarstvo.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/medresorska-delovna-skupina-za-usmerjanje-celovitega-strateskega-projekta-razogljicenja-slovenije-preko-prehoda-v-krozno-gospodarstvo
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Medresorska delovna skupina za mednarodne podnebne zadeve.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/medresorska-delovna-skupina-za-mednarodne-podnebne-zadeve
After the elections, when the center-left parties formed a coalition, civil society organizations prepared a law to counteract the previous government’s detrimental measures. This law, passed in July 2022, eliminated the impossible conditions for environmental civil society organizations to participate in administrative and judicial proceedings under the Nature Conservation Act.
In June 2023, the government established the Climate Council as the nation’s independent scientific advisory body for climate policy. In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, the government adopted the rules of procedure for the Climate Council in 2022, regulating its functioning, and issued the decree on its establishment in 2023, thus creating the conditions for the first Slovenian scientific advisory body for climate policy.
Members of the Climate Council serve six-year terms and provide scientific advice through expert opinions and recommendations on established and proposed climate policy measures, ensuring their compliance with ratified international treaties and the EU legal order on climate change. Another key task of the council is to participate in developing climate change legislation. In 2023, the council met three times.
Candidates for the Climate Council are independent experts in climate change mitigation and adaptation, representing the natural and technical sciences as well as the social sciences and humanities.
In November 2022, the government established the Interdepartmental Working Group for International Climate Issues, comprising representatives from various ministries. The group’s tasks include developing draft positions for international climate negotiations. Representatives of non-governmental organizations are not regularly included in this interdepartmental group. In April 2023, the government established an interministerial working group to support Slovenia’s comprehensive strategic project of decarbonization as part of the transition to a circular economy.
Citations:
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Podnebni svet.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/podnebni-svet/
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Medresorska delovna skupina za usmerjanje Celovitega strateškega projekta razogljičenja Slovenije preko prehoda v krožno gospodarstvo.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/medresorska-delovna-skupina-za-usmerjanje-celovitega-strateskega-projekta-razogljicenja-slovenije-preko-prehoda-v-krozno-gospodarstvo
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Medresorska delovna skupina za mednarodne podnebne zadeve.” https://www.gov.si/zbirke/delovna-telesa/medresorska-delovna-skupina-za-mednarodne-podnebne-zadeve
Graph View
To what extent does the government publish data and information that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable?
10
9
9
The government publishes data and information in a manner that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government publishes data and information in a manner that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable.
5
4
3
4
3
The government rarely publishes data and information in a manner that strengthens citizens to hold the government accountable.
2
1
1
The government does not publish data and information in a manner that strengthens citizens’ capacity to hold the government accountable.
The Ministry of Public Administration established the national open data portal OPSI (Odprti podatki Slovenije) in 2016. The portal provides a single national online point for the publication of open data for the entire public sector. OPSI was created based on the EU Directive on the reuse of public sector data. In the Open Data Maturity Report 2023, the European Commission ranks Slovenia 14th.
According to the OECD’s OURdata Index on Open Government Data, Slovenia remains among the top 10 OECD countries that consistently ensure adequate access to open data. Slovenia has presented a comprehensive approach to open data initiatives and scores well in all areas, from its open data strategy and legal requirements to the publication of high-quality data and engagement with stakeholders inside and outside government to promote the reuse of data.
Citations:
European Union. 2023. “European Data.” https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/open-data-maturity/2023#country-overview
OECD. 2023. “2023 OECD Open, Useful and Re-usable data (OURdata) Index.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/a37f51c3-en.pdf?expires=1707217374&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=E9682C78E1010504A5009B9EF9F15A30
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Odprti podatki Slovenije.” https://podatki.gov.si
According to the OECD’s OURdata Index on Open Government Data, Slovenia remains among the top 10 OECD countries that consistently ensure adequate access to open data. Slovenia has presented a comprehensive approach to open data initiatives and scores well in all areas, from its open data strategy and legal requirements to the publication of high-quality data and engagement with stakeholders inside and outside government to promote the reuse of data.
Citations:
European Union. 2023. “European Data.” https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/open-data-maturity/2023#country-overview
OECD. 2023. “2023 OECD Open, Useful and Re-usable data (OURdata) Index.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/a37f51c3-en.pdf?expires=1707217374&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=E9682C78E1010504A5009B9EF9F15A30
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Odprti podatki Slovenije.” https://podatki.gov.si