Knowledge, Entrepreneurship and Talent for the Development of Celje
How can we create a city where talent stays, businesses grow, young people see their future, and knowledge becomes the driving force of development? These were the questions addressed by representatives of the business community, educational institutions, the local community, and young people at the 7th City Conference of the Alliance for Celje, held on Thursday, 17 September 2026. This year, the seventh city conference organised by the Municipality of Celje took place within the framework of the MOS Trade Fair under the title “Knowledge and Entrepreneurship as the Driving Force of Urban Development – Together for Talent, Innovation and Growth.” The conference focused on cooperation, entrepreneurship, talent development, and creating the conditions necessary for the long-term development of Celje and the wider region.
Through presentations and discussions, participants highlighted the importance of collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, the public sector, and young people in creating an environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and a high quality of life.
The opening address was delivered by the Mayor of the Municipality of Celje, Matija Kovač, who emphasised that the city’s development is built primarily on people, their knowledge, and their ability to work together. “We need to engage in serious and strategic discussions about how to create the best possible conditions for the development of both businesses and people. The economy is driven by people, which is why in Celje we strive to build an environment where individuals, companies, and the community as a whole can thrive.” He also stressed the importance of accessible housing, high-quality public infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and development projects that enhance the city’s attractiveness for residents, talent, and investors. Particular attention was given to the MAG-NET Alliance, whose goal is to develop innovative approaches for identifying, attracting, and retaining talent, while also facilitating the exchange of best practices among European cities.
The conference’s keynote speakers were Andraž Logar, Director and Founder of 3fs and President of the Slovenian Technology Forum, and Bojan Ivanc, Chief Economist at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. Logar highlighted the importance of technological development, innovation, and public-private cooperation in creating an environment that attracts talent and development-oriented investments. Ivanc focused on Celje’s development potential, the importance of further expanding business zones, and supporting activities with higher added value. He identified the newly developed business zones EPC Trnovlje South and EPC Bežigrajska West, as well as the Old Cinkarna area, as key development sites.
The panel discussion featured Matija Kovač, Andraž Logar, Prof. Dr. Danica Purg, Founder of IEDC – Bled School of Management and President of the international management development association CEEMAN, Eva Esih, Co-Founder and CEO of PsyByt, and Davorin Leskovar, Executive Director of Cetis. The panellists agreed that the competitiveness of future cities is founded on knowledge, talent, and cooperation across sectors. Prof. Dr. Danica Purg emphasised the importance of ambitious development goals and a strong educational environment. Davorin Leskovar highlighted the value of cooperation between business and education, while Eva Esih stressed the need to create an environment in which young people can recognise opportunities for both professional and personal development and actively participate in shaping the future.
The closing part of the conference was dedicated to young people. Primož Erjavec, Tjaša Erjavec, Tina Horvat, and Matej Hernavs underlined the importance of early exposure to career opportunities, stronger cooperation between schools and businesses, and the active involvement of young people in the city’s development. They agreed that a better understanding of local opportunities can help young people envision their future in Celje.
Once again, the city conference confirmed that the development of a city is driven by people, their knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to collaborate. Celje possesses significant development potential, and the key to realising it lies in connecting businesses, educational institutions, the local community, and young people. It is precisely these kinds of partnerships, further encouraged by the MAG-NET Alliance, that lay the foundations for a city where people want to live, work, create, and help shape the future.
