Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are a part of civil society (the organised and registered part of the public), which is an important player in environmental cooperation, since it involves individuals who are bound by the same interests and are aware of their responsibility towards society.

Most important in the field of the environment are environmental NGOs, that is, organisations recognised as environmental NGOs by the purpose of their establishment or their operation. The aim of NGOs in the field of the environment and nature is to enforce the principles of environmental and natural protection and sustainable development on all levels of political decision-making and action. The most important area of action of environmental and nature protection NGOs is undoubtedly their influence on policy-making and legislation-drafting in Slovenia, as well as at the level of European Union, and awareness-raising on the environment and sustainable development.

For a number of years the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning has endeavoured to strengthen dialogue with this important part of civil society.