Predstavništvo Evropske komisije v Sloveniji je v ponedeljek, 8. decembra 2025, v Konferenčni dvorani Rim (Hiša EU, Dunajska 20, Ljubljana) organiziralo tradicionalno letno srečanje mrež in kontaktnih točk Evropske komisije, ki delujejo v Sloveniji. Dogodek je tudi letos združil predstavnike več kot 20 evropskih mrež, ki vsakodnevno pomagajo državljanom, podjetjem, raziskovalcem, študentom in institucijam pri razumevanju ter uresničevanju priložnosti, ki jih ponuja Evropska unija.
Program overview and strategic highlights
The meeting began with an introductory speech by Dr. Jerneja Jug Jerše, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia. In her address, she emphasized the key importance of cooperation between Slovenian partners and European institutions, as connection, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action are what enable the effective implementation of European initiatives at the national level. The attendees were then addressed by Barbara Jermol Marcinčak, Deputy Head of the Representation, who presented the EU budget proposal for the 2028–2034 period – a framework that will significantly influence future European programs and support mechanisms.
The meeting also offered practical content. Mag. Nastja Mulej, a licensed master trainer of de Bono’s thinking tools, conducted an interactive lecture titled What is more effective than debating and arguing?, where she presented the Six Thinking Hats method, useful in project management, team collaboration, and communication.
The afternoon session was dedicated to updates on individual networks and programs, including:
- activities of the National Europass Centre in 2025,
- presentation of the LIFE program and plans for 2026,
- an overview of the new period, partnerships, and services of the Enterprise Europe Network,
- presentation of SPOT – Slovenian Business Point,
- a brief presentation of Horizon Europe,
- news within Erasmus+ (European Youth Week and the Role Model Network),
- key projects of the Europe Thinks initiative.
As always, the event also provided an opportunity for networking, exchanging best practices, and strengthening cooperation between stakeholders.
European Commission networks in Slovenia: more than 20 support structures
More than 20 European networks, contact points, and information centers operate in Slovenia, providing support to individuals, institutions, and companies alike. These networks can be divided into several thematic clusters:
- EUROPE DIRECT information networks
These networks are intended to bring the EU closer to citizens and include:
- EUROPE DIRECT informacijske točke,
- Evropske dokumentacijske centre (najstarejša mreža, vzpostavljena že leta 1963),
- TEAM EUROPE DIRECT – skupina neodvisnih strokovnjakov.
The youngest network joining the EU information family is the EU municipal councilors network, which operates at the level of local communities.
- Networks related to the labor market
These networks offer support for mobility, employment, and the recognition of qualifications:
- EURES – evropska mreža za mobilnost delavcev,
- Europass,
- Euroguidance Slovenija,
- Kontaktna točka za vzajemno priznavanje poklicnih kvalifikacij,
- Kontaktna točka za enako obravnavo delavcev EU.
Networks in the field of education are also indirectly related to the labor market:
- ENIC–NARIC,
- Nacionalna kontaktna točka za SOK–EOK (Slovensko in Evropsko ogrodje kvalifikacij).
- Specialized business and support networks
Important support structures for companies and entrepreneurs are:
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – največja svetovna mreža za internacionalizacijo in podporo MSP,
- Erasmus za mlade podjetnike,
- Evropski potrošniški center,
- Euraxess – podpora mobilnosti raziskovalcev
- SOLVIT – brezplačni sistem neformalnega reševanja sporov na področju notranjega trga EU,
- Tvoja Evropa –brezplačna storitev svetovanja o pravicah EU za vse državljane in podjetja, ki jo zagotavlja mreža pravnih strokovnjakov.
- Contact points for European programs
Each contact point offers comprehensive support for participation in a specific program:
- Obzorje Evropa,
- LIFE,
- CERV (Državljani, enakost, pravice in vrednote),
- Erasmus+,
- Ustvarjalna Evropa,
- national contact point for the New European Bauhaus,
- other European programs.
Together, they form a support environment that enables Slovenia to effectively utilize European funds, establish international partnerships, and strengthen the innovation and business environment.
The importance of networking: the power of networks for the future
The traditional annual meeting of European Commission networks confirms how important cooperation, knowledge exchange, and coordination of activities are. Through their services, the networks contribute directly to economic development, labor mobility, research progress, support for young people, and better informing citizens about the functioning of the EU.
In 2026, European programs will enter the key years of the current financial framework, so the coordinated operation of the networks will be crucial in ensuring successful fund absorption and effective support for users.
List of current EU networks: https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/meet-us_en
Author: Edina Babnik