On September 28, the Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development officially opened its new headquarters in Maribor. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, who announced plans to further expand the presence of state institutions outside of Ljubljana.

At the opening ceremony, Minister Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs emphasized the need for more balanced regional development and closer cooperation between the state and local municipalities. In her view, Maribor is an important regional centre with strong economic, educational and development potential.

The government plans to relocate individual ministry departments to various parts of Slovenia. The presence of state institutions in different parts of the country is expected to improve access to public services and contribute to strengthening regional centres.

Representatives of the SI-HU project CROSS-SACRAL also attended the ceremonial opening. At the information stand, they presented the digital avatar and interactive map developed within the project, which connect the rich sacred heritage of the Slovenia–Hungary cross-border region and enable visitors to plan personalized itineraries based on their interests. The avatar will connect thematic routes, local providers and cultural events, thereby reducing pressure on sensitive sites and promoting the sustainable use of cultural heritage.