Policy Objective 5: A Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of urban, rural and coastal areas and local initiatives Slovenia’s objective is to continue to promote endogenous potentials in order to reduce development disparities. It will, in this way, address urban and local development through territorial approaches under Policy Objective 5. Bottom-up initiatives will be tailored to the diverse development needs, challenges and different forms of settlement in each area, as they cannot be addressed in a uniform way. Using territorial approaches, we are interlinking rural and urban areas in an integrated way as complementary functional areas, by supporting integrated and multifunctional actions, and strengthening multi-level partnership cooperation and governance in both cohesion regions. By linking the urban environment with rural areas, we are following the objectives of the Territorial Agenda 2030 and the Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas Up To 2040. We will allocate ERDF resources to building an inclusive society and to the further comprehensive socio-economic development of urban and rural areas, with particular attention to be paid to reducing the gap between socio-economically disadvantaged people and areas. The preparation and implementation of the actions will take place on a bottom-up basis, in line with the strategic objectives and areas of action stemming from the sustainable urban strategies and local development strategies that have been drawn up. The local population is actively involved in the development of strategies that identify specific development challenges and opportunities within a homogeneous area. Development needs and challenges vary from one area to another, so development trends need to be tailored to the characteristics, needs and different forms of settlement of each area. We are most effective in addressing the needs of individual areas and increasing the quality and satisfaction of the life of all groups of the local population (including the elderly, young people and members of vulnerable groups) when we employ projects based on territorial strategies. In the course of the implementation of all actions under PO5 particular attention will be paid to the principles of sustainable development and to ensuring that built infrastructure and services are also available to persons with different levels of incapacity. As part of efforts to promote urban development, we will primarily support projects to renovate and revitalise empty or under-utilised buildings and/or land for greener, more socially inclusive and more productive cities. We will support measures to revitalise and renovate buildings of public interest and cultural and other facilities, develop and revitalise open public spaces, and carry out other integrated projects based on urban municipalities’ sustainable urban strategies. ERDF CLLD projects will contribute to improving the quality of life of local populations, ensuring adequate access to services in urban centres and rural areas alike, improving long-term care and preventive health measures, promoting intergenerational cooperation, strengthening competencies, and providing care and protection to disadvantaged groups. At the same time, LAG areas will be more visible local enterprise, the innovative use of local resources, (eco)tourism, and the preservation of natural diversity and cultural heritage. EMFAF CLLD projects will be implemented autonomously throughout the country and will address job retention, the development of fisheries and aquaculture areas, diversification, and other important topics related to economic, environmental and social aspects. CLLD projects will enable areas to diversify (including into other sectors of the blue economy, e.g. in the coastal area), with due regard to the provisions of the Smart Specialisation Strategy and the EU’s ‘Restore Our Ocean and Waters’ mission. When preparing Local Development Strategies (LDSs), Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) are focused on complying with the objectives and orientations of the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Biodiversity