Slovenian green energy and technological development

Slovenia is addressing gaps in its transition toward a green and digital economy through new educational and industrial initiatives. Research from the NextGen Energy Champions initiative indicates that while youth interest in clean energy is high, there is a significant lack of awareness regarding specific employment paths and the non-engineering nature of many green sector roles.

To mitigate these skills gaps, the STEM50 program is set to launch in the 2026/27 academic year. This collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology, and the Institute for Women and Engineers aims to connect doctoral and master’s level research with the private sector.

Parallel discussions at the IMPULZ 2026 forum identified that technological adoption in Slovenia is hindered by outdated mindsets and slow decision-making, with a significant portion of small and medium-sized companies failing to recognize the relevance of digitalization. Furthermore, the Jožef Stefan Institute is organizing a symposium focused on critical raw materials for strategic technologies, aiming to engage young researchers in discussions regarding recycling, rare earth elements, and global supply chain ethics.