Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Investing in the knowledge and development of all generations is the best investment we can make in the future of our citizens and our city.

Mr Zoran Janković

Mayor

A sustainable, green city

Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city and is the country’s economic, political, scientific and cultural centre. 31.8 per cent of the population is under the age of 30. Over the course of the last 15 years, Ljubljana has radically changed its image and evolved into a sustainable green city whose policies attach the utmost importance to education. 

Vision and Strategy

We are an inclusive and learning city that wants to focus mainly on promoting sustainable development, stimulating inclusive learning in the education system, and digitizing and using modern learning technologies, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to increase adult participation in lifelong learning by creating multiple education pathways, and we aim to create the infrastructure and curricula needed to ensure a green, safe, tolerant and friendly city.  

Policies, Plan and Implementation

Sustainability and health

• Ljubljana has designed a learning model to promote a circular economy based on recycling, re-using, sharing and exchanging resources in order to reduce and sort waste more efficiently. The city also cofinances various prevention programmes for children, adolescents and adults through public tenders, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, sporting activities and mental health. 

Equity and inclusion

• Children suffering from serious disorders benefit from 13 specialized small classes. All adults, irrespective of their background, can attend free education programmes, most intended for vulnerable groups (e.g. drop-outs, young adults attending primary school, pensioners, migrants and the unemployed). The city additionally offers free computer classes for all citizens above the age of 55. 

Decent work and entrepreneurship

• Technology Park (TP) Ljubljana is an international technology hub for breakthrough technologies and top-notch development companies. TP facilitates knowledge-sharing, the creation of jobs with high added value, and more favourable employment opportunities. The Cene Štupar Public Institution runs programmes to promote business plans with a high social impact, and encourages all generations to reflect on how to achieve a better future. 

Good practices

Pika Education Centre

• The centre improves support for special-needs children and adolescents in Ljubljana by enabling them to enrol in public kindergartens, primary and high schools. 

Raising children's awareness of the city's sustainable development model

• Savings from energy-related renovations of public buildings are spent on education programmes to provide teaching materials and support innovative teaching methods that directly contribute to boosting children’s awareness of the need for improved energy efficiency. 

Strategic document: Circular potential for Ljubljana 2021-2027

• The city’s strategy promotes a circular economy through the reduction of plastic packaging and plastic products; the prevention of food wastage; a reduction in waste textiles; the re-use of clothing; and increased sharing and re-use of electrical and electronic equipment.