The Slovene Enterprise Fund is allocating EUR 1.8 million in incentives for business startups in border regions facing challenges in 2026.
Date of publication: 13.02.2026
The Slovene Enterprise Fund (hereinafter SEF) continues its active support for entrepreneurship in border regions facing challenges in 2026 and announces a public call for proposals P2R 2026 – Incentives for Business Startups in Border Regions Facing Challenges in 2026, which is funded by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. The purpose of the call is to stimulate the creation of new micro and small enterprises and to strengthen their development potential, competitiveness, and long-term business sustainability in regions with more pronounced development challenges.
The key objectives of the call are:
· to reduce the mortality rate of businesses in their initial stages of operation in border regions facing challenges,
· to encourage the creation of new jobs,
· to reduce the development gap of regions,
· to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses in domestic and international markets, and
· to provide comprehensive support for the sustainable growth of newly established businesses.
Non-repayable funds in a lump sum provide 100% financing for business startups and cover costs related to business activities, development investments, job creation, the start of product or service commercialization, promotion, and the generation of initial regular revenues.
Financing is carried out in accordance with the rules of European cohesion policy and public finance legislation, based on the principle of lump-sum reimbursement, which the company receives upon successfully achieving the implementation and employment milestones defined in the tender documentation.
Micro and small enterprises from border regions facing challenges that were registered between January 1, 2025, and February 18, 2026, and meet all tender conditions will be eligible for funding.
The application process remains simplified and fully digitized. Applicants submit their application electronically via the SEF ePortal, which provides businesses with quick and transparent access to incentives. The application deadline for submitting applications is March 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
With this call, the Slovene Enterprise Fund once again confirms its role as a key pillar of support for entrepreneurship development in economically weaker regions and actively contributes to creating a stimulating business environment for the sustainable growth and development of new businesses.
The full P2R 2026 call is published on the website of the Slovene Enterprise Fund and in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 11/2026, where the conditions and criteria of the call are detailed.
