Slovenia

From 2004 to 2006, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Slovenia by the Legal Information Centre for NGOs, guided by a working group of 17 civil society experts, with the international coordination of CIVICUS. This implementation led to the publication of an analytical country report, presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.

An Assessment of Slovenian Civil Society: Active but still weak

In Slovenia, the CSI study was carried out by the Legal-information Centre for NGOs, Slovenia (LIC),. Over the course of 2004 and 2005 LIC collected information and data from a broad range of civil society representatives, citizens, experts and researchers on the state of civil society in Slovenia, which is presented in this report. The study provides an in-depth examination of civil society in Slovenia and provides comprehensive recommendations for strengthening civil society in Slovenia.

The study found that further development of civil society in Slovenia will require a focus on structural features, particularly ensuring sufficient resources and strengthening of communication among civil society actors.

From 2008 to 2010, the Civil Society Index was implemented by the Legal Information Centre for NGOs.

Towards maturity: challenges for Slovenian civil society

The research findings show that Slovenian citizens readily engage as members of CSOs and as volunteers, and that volunteering in particular is on the rise, as a result of efforts made by voluntary organisations to establish a regulatory framework to provide support for the development and implementation of voluntary work at national and local levels. However, when it comes to participation in political activities, it is clear that while political parties wield the greatest influence, as a result of low trust in them, very few people participate in their activities.

When CSOs practice of their own values is examined, the report affirms that CSOs generally adhere to regulations regarding democratic decision making governance, labour regulations, codes of conduct and transparency and environmental standards, although they could do more to promote their adherence to these values. The report also finds that while CSOs are relatively independent of the state, the lack of substantial government funding, the modest funds they acquire from other sources and the constant struggle for grants awarded through public tenders greatly reduces CSO autonomy.

Slovenia also compiled a Policy Action Brief (PAB) which acts as a guiding document to government, key constituencies and civilsociety to take actionsnecessary to strengthen civil society  and address weaknesses identified in the 2008-2010 CSI project.

CSI Country Reports in Slovenia Slovenia