Role of countries in advancing social participation: The case of Slovenia

Abstract

Social participation is recognised as a key enabler of equitable, inclusive and sustainable health systems. While global commitments are strengthening, effective implementation depends largely on countries translating participation into institutional practice. Slovenia provides an example of how to embed participatory approaches into governance structures to ensure that communities are not only consulted but actively shape health. Slovenia has a long tradition of social participation in health, ranging from grassroots community action during emergencies to structured partnerships between Ministry of Health, NIJZ Slovenia and civil society. This approach has been supported through legal frameworks for citizen involvement, co-financing mechanisms for NGOs through public tenders, and platforms for knowledge exchange and coordination. To strengthen trust and promote evidence-informed engagement, Slovenia established dedicated institutional capacity within NIJZ to support training, communication and collaboration among civil society, professional groups and public authorities. Concrete examples demonstrate the impact of these mechanisms in addressing public health priorities: Investments in NGOs contributed to preventing an HIV epidemic among high-risk populations. Targeted partnerships with community organisations increased men’s participation in colorectal cancer screening. During 2023 floods, mental health NGOs provided timely psychosocial assistance, reducing the burden on families and health system. Youth engagement has become more formalised through consultations, grant schemes and a youth delegate model, enabling young people to influence health policies and contribute to international advocacy. This case illustrates how countries can integrate social participation through sustainable financing, structured consultation processes and long-term capacity-building, offering transferable lessons for strengthening prevention and advancing health equity across Europe.