The environmental organization Association ROVO awarded the excellence in environmental and investigative journalism portal Preiskovalno.si for one of the most important ecological revelations of 2025.
Award
The environmental organization Association ROVO grants this recognition and expression of gratitude to MSc Barbara Pance and MSc Nataša Markovič, journalists and editors of the Preiskovalno.si portal, for their outstanding social, environmental, and investigative journalistic work.
Through persistent and in-depth investigation, the journalists at Preiskovalno.si uncovered extensive irregularities, deficiencies, and illegal practices in the handling of construction waste related to the construction of the prison in Dobrunje, Ljubljana, one of the largest state projects in recent years. Their work exposed systemic issues of illegal dumping, threats to human health and the environment, as well as the troubling silence of the competent state institutions.
Association ROVO considers the exposure of illegal construction waste dumping across Slovenia to be one of the most important environmental revelations of 2025. Their work complements our efforts and objectives aimed at nature conservation and the protection of human health.
During their investigation, the journalists documented a series of professional and procedural errors, inadequate oversight, and practices that, despite identified irregularities, enabled the payment of approximately €90 million in public funds to contractors and subcontractors.
A particular significance of their work lies in revealing systemic anomalies in state construction projects, where illegal practices are tolerated or even rewarded, and in drawing attention to political-economic ties and media silence that hinder critical public debate.
They also highlighted health risks to residents of the affected areas, while those responsible for the pollution have, to this day, not been held accountable nor have the sites been remediated.
Their work goes beyond classical journalism because it represents a consistent defense of the public interest, the protection of human health, the environment, and the rule of law. Despite pressure, surveillance, and threats, they persisted with a high level of professionalism, integrity, and courage.
By awarding this recognition, Association ROVO expresses deep respect for their work and simultaneously calls on the competent state institutions, in the case of the Dobrunje prison, to fulfill their legal and moral duties, investigate the irregularities, and protect residents from long-term environmental and health risks.
Zlatko Resman
President of ROVO
Straža near Novo Mesto, 2 February 2026
*Translated with AI
