Slovenia

Financial incentives and support for companies in 2026 in the field of sustainability and circular economy

In 2026, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia will have access to more financial incentives and support services for the transition to a sustainable and circular economy, energy efficiency, and the green transition. In addition to grants, loans, and guarantees, companies also have access to professional support, tools, and consulting, which facilitate the implementation of sustainable solutions in practice.

Below is a brief presentation of key institutions and forms of support.


Slovenian Circular Economy Center (SCKG)

The Slovenian Circular Economy Center (SCKG) represents the central national support environment for promoting the transition to a circular economy and implementing sustainable and circular practices, especially in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

SCKG connects the economy, research institutions, the public sector, and civil society, and provides support in the development of sustainable business models, innovation, knowledge transfer, and the formation of circular economy policies.

The core activities of SCKG are:

  • virtualna vstopna točka in fizične vstopne točke po Sloveniji, ki zagotavljajo informacije, izobraževanje in svetovanje podjetjem ter drugim ciljnim skupinam,
  • povezovanje deležnikov prek industrijske simbioze, mreženja in razvoja krožnih vrednostnih verig,
  • monitoring and analyzing circular economy trends and supporting innovation,
  • carrying out educational and awareness-raising activities for various social groups with the aim of strengthening circular values,
  • supporting research and development of new technologies and business models.

Digital support and web platform

On the web platform www.sckg.si, the following are available to companies and other target groups:

  • digital tools for implementing circular business models,
  • an extensive knowledge base (library, SCKG Academy, toolbox) with manuals, analyses, best practices, and professional content,
  • educational content for acquiring new knowledge and competencies,
  • information on calls for proposals, legislation, and support mechanisms,
  • a virtual assistant for circular transition.

SCKG also offers companies general consulting for the first steps in the circular transition and specialized consulting for more demanding issues such as circular design, materials, waste management, and sustainable business models.

 

Free support for companies: physical SCKG entry points

Within the Slovenian Circular Economy Center (SCKG), a network of physical entry points across Slovenia operates, which, together with the virtual entry point www.sckg.si, forms a comprehensive support environment for the transition to a circular economy.

At these entry points, companies and other stakeholders are provided with free expert information, guidance, and connections to appropriate solutions in the field of green and circular transition.

Consulting and support include:

  • introducing circular and sustainable business models,
  • using resources, materials, and energy more efficiently,
  • navigating legislation, tenders, and support mechanisms,
  • connecting with other companies, experts, and solution providers.

The support is free of charge and accessible throughout Slovenia.

Locations and contacts of physical SCKG entry points are available at https://www.sckg.si/sl/o-sckg/vstopne-tocke/

 

SID Bank

SID Bank is a Slovenian development and export bank that supports the competitiveness and long-term development of the Slovenian economy through various financial instruments. SID Bank supports the sustainable and green transition of companies primarily through favorable loans and development financial instruments. Green projects can be financed directly or indirectly through commercial banks, and for larger projects, also through the use of green bonds.

SID Bank enables companies to finance:

  • energy efficiency projects,
  • renewable energy sources,
  • environmentally friendly technologies and processes,
  • clean transport,
  • climate change adaptation.
  1. Fund of Funds

The Fund of Funds is a cohesion policy fund managed by SID bank. Companies can finance green projects through the following programs:

  1. Indirect financing through commercial banks

Companies can receive favorable financing from SID bank sources through commercial banks. For green projects, the following program is available:

  1. Green Bond

Green Bond temelji na obliki in načinu financiranja okoljskih projektov s pomočjo kapitalskega trga. Sredstva, zbrana z izdajo zelene obveznice, se lahko uporabijo za ekološko učinkovite produkte, tehnologije in procese, preprečevanje onesnaževanja in nadzor, trajnostno upravljanje življenjskih naravnih virov, trajnostno upravljanje vodnih virov, obnovljivo energijo, energetsko učinkovitost in čisti transport. Namenjena je podjetjem, ki zbirajo denarna sredstva za nove ali obstoječe ekološke trajnostne projekte. 

The advantages of a green bond are:

  • direct access to the capital market,
  • lower financing costs,
  • innovative way of financing green projects,
  • transparent financing, which assures investors that financial resources will be used exclusively for green projects.

With a green bond, companies can finance:

  • renewable energy,
  • energy efficiency,
  • pollution prevention and control,
  • sustainable management of living natural resources,
  • ensuring water and territorial biodiversity,
  • clean transport,
  • sustainable management of water resources,
  • climate change adaptation,
  • ecologically efficient products, technologies, and processes.

More information at https://www.sid.si/


Slovene Enterprise Fund (SPS)

The Slovene Enterprise Fund is the central institution for financing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This year, SPS will publish several tenders and calls aimed at the development of entrepreneurship and sustainable investments.

Development incentives will be available in the form of guarantees, loans, microloans, startup subsidies, special sustainable incentives, and vouchers to strengthen the competitiveness, competencies, and innovation of companies.

Planned publications include:

  • Garancije za bančne kredite (P1 plus 2026) v višini do 73 mio EUR za investicije in obratna sredstva.
  • Mikrokrediti in likvidnostni krediti (P7, P7-2, P7L, P7R) za zagotavljanje likvidnosti MSP,
  • Zagonske spodbude (P2, P2R) za inovativne start-upe in podjetja na obmejnih problemskih območjih.
  • Posebne spodbude za trajnostni razvoj, s poudarkom na lesarski panogi.
  • Vouchers for raising business competencies, including for:
    • LCA analyses,
    • prototyping,
    • certificates,
    • cyber security,
    • preparation of ESG reports.

The calls for applications will be published gradually throughout 2026 at https://www.podjetniskisklad.si or https://www.podjetniskisklad.si/javni-razpisi-pozivi-programi/plan-objav-razpisov-in-pozivov/.

 

Eco Fund

The Eco Fund is a public fund that supports investments in environmental protection, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources through grants and favorable financial incentives. The Eco Fund is a key source of funding for companies investing in environmental and energy projects. Incentives are available in the form of favorable loans and grants.

Companies can obtain funding for:

  • reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
  • improving the energy efficiency of buildings (thermal insulation, window replacement, heating optimization),
  • modernization of shared heating systems (heat pumps, biomass, solar systems),
  • efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources in buildings and production processes,
  • energy audits and the implementation of energy management systems,
  • purchase of environmentally friendly vehicles and installation of charging infrastructure,
  • construction of nearly zero-energy buildings.

Current public calls:

More information: https://www.ekosklad.si/gospodarstvo/pridobite-spodbudo/seznam-spodbud

 

Free support for companies: ENSVET

Within the framework of the Eco Fund, the ENSVET network operates, offering free, individual, and independent energy consulting directly to citizens, businesses, and the public sector.

Consultants help with:

  • planning investments in energy efficiency,
  • selecting appropriate measures,
  • understanding tender conditions and potential savings.

Consulting is free and available throughout Slovenia.

Contact:

  • 080 1669
  • every working day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • https://ekosklad.si/prebivalstvo/ensvet/pisarna

 

Borzen

Borzen is the Slovenian electricity market operator, which implements support schemes and tasks to promote renewable energy sources and efficient energy use. It offers companies non-repayable financial incentives, primarily in the fields of energy and sustainable mobility.

Current incentives and support:

Free support for promoting the use of renewable energy sources

Borzen also manages a contact point for renewable energy sources, which offers support to investors and guides them through the procedures for obtaining permits and accessing support mechanisms.

The contact point is intended for public and private investors and helps them with the procedures for obtaining permits and other necessary documents for:

  • construction, reconstruction, renovation, or operation of production facilities,
  • their connection to the electricity or other network,
  • inclusion in support programs.

The support covers the following areas:

  • production of electricity from renewable energy sources,
  • production of heat for heating and cooling from renewable energy sources,
  • production of gaseous fuels, including hydrogen, from renewable energy sources,
  • production of liquid and gaseous biofuels for transport,
  • production of other liquid biofuels,
  • high-efficiency cogeneration of heat and power,
  • use of waste heat in district heating systems.

Contact:


Več informacij: https://borzen.si/sl-si/

 

Slovenian Regional Development Fund (SRRS)

The Slovenian Regional Development Fund is a public financial fund that promotes regional development and balanced economic progress in Slovenia through loans and other financial instruments, while also supporting sustainable and circular projects, especially those contributing to the green transition, efficient use of resources, and sustainable regional development.

Current public tenders:

  • Bizi Živilci je namenjen spodbujanju prehoda živilsko-predelovalne panoge k digitalni in zeleni preobrazbi, povečanju konkurenčnost, izboljšanju učinkovitost virov in prispevanju k trajnostnemu razvoju sektorja,
  • Bizi Turizem je namenjen razvoju turistične infrastrukture po celotni Sloveniji v okviru razvojnih posojil,
  • Bizi OPO Turizem je namenjen dodelitvi nepovratnih sredstev z možnostjo kombinacije razvojnih posojil za financiranje investicij v zasebne turistične nastanitve višje dodane vrednosti na obmejnih problemskih območjih (OPO) za razvoj zelenih in trajnostnih storitev in trajnostno delovanje podjetja,
  • Bizi Zadruge je sofinanciranje projektov, ki prispevajo k blaženju oz. prilagajanju podnebnim spremembam (z izvajanjem ukrepov, kot so uporaba obnovljivih virov energije za samooskrbo, energetska učinkovitost, trajnostno kmetijstvo in krožno gospodarstvo), digitalizaciji poslovanja, dvigu konkurenčnosti vlagateljev ter povečanju dodane vrednosti na zaposlenega,
  • Bizi PF je finančni produkt po vsebini predstavlja premostitveno posojilo, katerega cilj je hitrejša izvedba projektov z odobrenimi evropskimi in/ali nacionalnimi nepovratnimi sredstvi.

More information: https://www.srrs.si/javni-razpisi/?_sft_status-razpisa=odprto

 

The year 2026 brings a wide range of financial incentives and support services to companies in Slovenia for the implementation of sustainable and circular investments, where, in addition to grants and favorable financial instruments, free consulting, knowledge, and support tools are also available. A successful transition to a sustainable and circular economy will largely depend on timely monitoring of tenders, good project planning, and connecting with relevant support institutions, as the combination of funding and professional support enables companies to implement more effective, competitive, and long-term sustainable solutions.

Author: Edina Babnik