Ljubljana - The Government Office for Development and EU Cohesion Policy has addressed to the EEA and Norway Grants a request that some half a million of unused funds be made available to Slovenian NGOs involved in human rights, migrations, rule of law and democracy.

The funds would be distributed among NGOs by the CNVOS centre of NGOs via a public call, state secretary Marko Koprivec and CNVOS director Goran Forbici said on Tuesday.

"We can't right all the wrongs of the past two years, but we want to make it clear that NGOs are our partners and are very important for the development of democracy in society," said Koprivec, adding that the previous government had been very neglectful of NGOs.

Forbici expressed satisfaction that the new team of the Government Office for Development and EU Cohesion Policy tried and managed to find solutions after two years of attitude that "wasn't open, nor positive".

"Some might not think that half a million is a lot, but it is a third of the total amount in Active Citizens Fund, so this is a considerable increase," said Forbici.

The funds will support human rights, democracy and rule of law projects, which are not funded by the state, said Forbici, added that NGOs in the field have a hard time getting funded.

It will allow NGOs specialising in welfare, human rights, migration and health to continue their work of monitoring the government. "I find it very brave and noble that the office staff is actively contributing to the society," said Forbici.

The call will be open to all NGOs, with Forbici expressing the belief that the funds will be divided among 10 or 20 NGOs.

Koprivec said the request was sent out today following informal talks, while an answer is expected by the end of September at the latest.