Current business events and calls for proposals – March 2026

Entrepreneurship

24.–25. 3. 28. 3. 9. 4. 15. 4. 2026

Overview of opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Carinthia region and beyond

Interesting entrepreneurial events, networking meetings, and calls for business support will be taking place in Slovenia and the region in March 2026. We have collected them here, in one place, to give you a clearer insight into current opportunities for participation, networking, and obtaining financial resources.

Corporate EVENTS and other interesting INFORMATION – March 2026

Export business delegation to England (London and Suffolk)

Subject: The British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with SPIRIT Slovenia is organising a business delegation to England for Slovenian companies interested in entering the British market or expanding their existing presence. Participants will visit London and the Suffolk business hub, where B2B meetings and company visits are planned. The focus will be on high-tech industries, ICT, manufacturing and logistics, including a visit to the Port of Felixstowe and the Adastral Park innovation centre.

Date: March 24 to 27, 2026

Location: England (London and Suffolk)
Organizer: British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and SPIRIT Slovenia
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/jcw6jjdz

MEGRA 2026 Fair in Gornja Radgona

Subject: This is an international fair for construction, energy, utilities and crafts, with a strong focus on digitalization, automation, green and energy-efficient solutions. This is of interest to companies from Carinthia, especially if they operate in construction, manufacturing, energy, mechanical engineering or supply chains for these industries.

Date: March 25 to 27, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Stadium Road 2, 9250 Gornja Radgona
Organizer: Pomurje Fair
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/ayjhn7vr

34th Jožef Stefan Days - IJS Open Day 2026

Subject: The Jožef Stefan Institute will present research to the general public at the Open Day, which contributes to the development of the society of the future. Visitors will be able to learn about various program sets in the fields of matter, the internet, biotechnology, biology, chemistry, physics, robotics, informatics, materials, the environment, and energy and nuclear technology.
Tours are free and without prior registration, but for safety reasons they will be held in guided groups. An ID is required to visit the Reactor Center.

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM

Location: IJS, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana and Reactor Center Podgorica, Brinje 40, 1262 Dol pri Ljubljani
Organizer: Jožef Stefan Institute
More info and registration: https://dnevi.ijs.si/#DOV

From projects to products: developing and launching our own products with high added value

Subject: The From Projects to Products training is intended for ICT companies that want to upgrade their knowledge from project work to the development and launch of their own digital products with high added value. In three practical modules, participants will learn how to identify market opportunities, understand users, design an MVP, validate the solution and prepare an effective go-to-market approach. The program emphasizes product innovation, internationalization and the coordination of development, sales and product management for successful market entry.

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ljubljana, Hall A (1st floor)
Organizer: SRIPGD, Slovenian Association for Informatics and Telecommunications
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/4xhmysk3

Connect2Slovenia: Metal & Plastic

Subject: Advantage Austria Ljubljana, in cooperation with OZS and TECOS, is preparing an exclusive B2B event Connect2Slovenia: Metal & Plastic as part of the International Industrial Fair in Celje. It is intended for Slovenian companies in the fields of CNC machining, mechanical engineering, welding, toolmaking and plastic processing who want to establish contact with Austrian partners. The program includes a tour of the fair, individual B2B meetings, networking and a visit and tour of a well-known Slovenian company.

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Blue Hall, Celje Fair, Dečkova cesta 1, 3000 Celje
Organizer: Advantage Austria Ljubljana in cooperation with OZS and TECOS
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/bd9pf9c8

Business CALL FOR CALL – March 2026

P1 plus 2026 | Guarantees of the Bank Loan Fund with interest rate subsidy

Subject: A call for €33 million in funding has been launched for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to facilitate access to bank loans for investments, particularly in the areas of digitalisation and the green and circular economy. The SPS provides a 60% guarantee for loans of up to €1.25 million, with up to 80% of eligible costs being financed. Conditions include a positive bank decision and an appropriate credit rating.

Application deadline: 20. 3. 2026, 5. 4. 2026, 20. 4. 2026, 20. 5. 2026, 5. 6. 2026, 20. 6. 2026, 5. 7. 2026, 1. 9. 2026, 15. 9. 2026, 1. 10. 2026 and 15. 10. 2026 or until funds are used up
Tenderer: Slovenian Enterprise Fund

More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/3jc2dbvz
Contact: (02) 234 12 64 or by e-mail: razpisi@podjetniskisklad.si

Public tender to promote the introduction of environmental and sustainability labels for providers in the hospitality and tourism industry 2026

Subject: The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality has published a public tender for co-financing the acquisition and renewal of internationally recognized environmental or sustainable labels in tourism and hospitality. The tender is intended for accommodation, catering providers, travel agencies, attractions, mountain and congress centers. It is divided into two lots: for the first acquisition of the label and for re-certification. A total of 200,000 euros is available, and various entities of public and private law with an appropriately registered activity can apply.

Application deadline: June 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Promoter: Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/3cch3wvt
Contact: gp.mgts@gov.si (with the note: JR environmental/sustainability labels)

Public call for financial development incentives for the development of handicraft products in 2026

Subject: A call has been published to promote the development of new handicraft products and entrepreneurship in handicrafts. It is intended for natural persons in the field of handicrafts who are not engaged in activities, including craftsmen, retirees, performers of personal supplementary work and holders of supplementary activities on farms. A total of 200,000 euros is available, and an individual handicraft product can receive up to 5,000 euros. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received until the funds are spent.

Application deadline: April 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Promoter: Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/c7u6uefc
Contact: 01 836 19 53 or email info@srrs.si (with the subject line "Question - call from the NGO Rokodelci")

Public call for proposals "Incentives for research and development projects 2026/1" (JR RRI 2026/1)

Subject: The Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport published a public call for proposals "Incentives for Research and Development Projects 2026/1" (JR RRI 2026/1) on 3 March 2026. The call is intended to co-finance development and innovation projects of companies and consortia of up to three companies for the development of new or improved products, processes and services. 15 million euros are available for projects in both cohesion regions of Slovenia.

Application deadline: until May 13, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Promoter: Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/yb9wmtxz
Contact: jr.rri@aris-rs.si

Public call V1 - Voucher for participation in economic delegations abroad

Subject: The voucher is intended to encourage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in outbound economic delegations abroad, with the aim of connecting with partners, finding new business opportunities, increasing visibility and gaining experience in foreign markets. It provides 60% co-financing of registration fees, transport and accommodation costs, in the amount of EUR 300 to EUR 2,000.

Application deadline: March 31, 2028
Tenderer: Slovenian Enterprise Fund
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/4mff3khh
Contact: vavcer@podjetniskisklad.si

Call for applications for the WIPO Global Awards 2026 for SMEs and Startups is open

Subject: The WIPO Awards are intended for companies that strategically use intellectual property for business growth and sustainable impact. Slovenian companies are also among the awardees and finalists. Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises with innovative solutions, protected intellectual property and market presence are eligible to apply. In 2026, WIPO will award 11 awards and offer the winners mentorship, global visibility and international connections.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026
Tenderer: World Intellectual Property Organization - WIPO
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/4znp5wdy
Contact: global.awards@wipo.int

The best innovations in the Carinthia region - call for applications

Subject: The GZS Innovation Call has been rewarding the best innovations in Slovenia for 30 years and represents the highest national recognition in this field. The submitted innovations are first presented to regional expert juries, who award awards, and the best ones are ranked at the national level. The common thread of the call emphasizes the role of innovations in ensuring a safe, resilient and stable future.

Application deadline: April 3, 2026
Tenderer: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/5bwrza6n
Contact: katja.pokerznik@gzs.si or maja.kricej@gzs.si

Public call for proposals STEP – Incentives for the development and production of strategic technologies for Europe

Subject: The JR STEP public call for proposals has been published with a total value of EUR 60 million, co-financed by the ERDF under the cohesion policy 2021-2027. It is intended for projects implemented exclusively in the cohesion region of East Slovenia; a call for proposals for West Slovenia is expected in 2026. It supports companies (individually or in a consortium of up to 5 partners) and public research organisations in the fields of digital technologies, clean technologies and biotechnology. Projects may include R&D, infrastructure or production modules and last up to 36 months, no later than 31 May 2029.

Application deadline: April 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Call for proposals: ARIS – Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/327vknhf
Contact: jr.step@aris-rs.si

Other current calls: