- Slovenia’s Ministry approved a €2.6m “Digital publishing development” project co-financed by the ERDF with €1.46m, led by the Slovenian Book Agency.
- The project funds tools and workflows to expand e-book and audiobook production and improve digital content creation and distribution for publishers.
- A core goal is inclusive, accessible digital reading formats and outreach for libraries, readers, and vulnerable groups.
- The initiative supports Slovenia’s 2021–2027 cohesion priorities on an innovative knowledge-based society and digital transformation.
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The “Digital publishing development” project in Slovenia represents a targeted public investment aimed at modernizing the publishing sector through digital transformation. Approved by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development on 30 July 2025, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has committed approximately €1.464 million toward a total project value of about €2.6 million. The Slovenian Book Agency is the beneficiary and lead implementation body.
This project seeks to achieve multiple interlinked objectives: (1) increase production of digital books (e-books and audiobooks), (2) build tools and infrastructure for publishers to create and distribute digital content more efficiently, (3) promote digital reading and educational activities among all stakeholders (authors, readers, libraries), and (4) ensure accessibility and inclusiveness—especially targeting older readers, young readers raised in digital environments, and vulnerable populations such as persons with special needs.
Strategically, this aligns with EU cohesion and digital development agenda. The project falls under Slovenia’s Cohesion Policy 2021–2027, under the priority “Innovative knowledge-based society,” a framework also seen in analogous projects: digitalization of SMEs, innovation in culture and creative industries, and public digital services. For instance, the government opened a €17.8 million call to support SME digital transformation and another call to support innovative cultural/creative businesses with over €2 million in funds.,
From an investment banking perspective, there are several implications and angles to consider:
- Sector competitiveness: The project could help publishers improve margins via digital distribution, reach wider audiences (including international), reduce printing/logistics costs, and lower entry barriers for small publishers/authors.
- Innovation and technology providers: Room for companies supplying digital publishing tools, inclusive design formats (e.g. DAISY, EPUB accessibility), audiobook platforms, audio recording infrastructure, and educational tech.
- Public-private collaboration: Success depends heavily on cooperation among cultural agencies, libraries, universities, technology firms. These collaborations could spawn spin-outs, content platforms, or licensing arrangements.
- Sustainability risks: Digital publishing markets can be challenged by piracy, monetization issues, user adoption, quality control, and long-term maintenance of platforms.
- Inclusive access: Reaching special needs populations or less digitally literate readers requires accessible formats, adaptive technologies, and possibly public subsidy for end-users.
Open questions and execution challenges include:
- What business models will be used for monetizing new digital content (pricing, subscription, licensing)?
- How will the beneficiary ensure effective distribution channels and marketing to reach both core and vulnerable audiences?
- Is the capacity (in terms of technical skills, staffing, infrastructure) sufficiently established among smaller publishers to adopt the proposed tools?
- How will impact and success be measured (e.g., increases in digital book production, uptake by readers, accessibility metrics)?
- How does this project relate to broader EU-wide efforts under the Digital Europe Programme and similar national roadmaps for digitization and culture? Are there co-funding opportunities or duplication risks?
Supporting Notes
- Project approved 30 July 2025 by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development to promote digital transformation in Slovenian publishing.
- ERDF contributes €1,464,242 toward the project, whose total budget is €2,600,000.
- The Slovenian Book Agency is identified as the beneficiary.
- Main activities include publishing electronic/audiobook content; setting up technological tools; educational/promotional efforts among authors, librarians, readers; developing flexible digital formats including for vulnerable groups.
- The project is designed to improve competitiveness and foster collaboration among publishers, libraries, research institutions, and tech companies.
- Comparable funding initiatives include ERDF funding of €17.8 million for a call supporting the digital transformation of SMEs and over €1.2 million for cultural and creative sectors in a separate call.,