RRA LUR Marks 25 Years of Regional Development
Director of RRA LUR, Lilijana Madjar, Msc. with her deputies and the Minister Aleksander Jevšek, PhD, and the Mayor of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković
For 25 years, regional development, partnership-building and collaboration with key stakeholders have been at the heart of the work of the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR). The agency creates development opportunities and fosters cooperation at regional, national and international levels in a complex environment where the aspirations, needs and challenges of 25 municipalities intersect. On 15 January 2026, RRA LUR marked its 25th anniversary with a celebratory event at Ljubljana Castle.
The beginnings
With the aim of strengthening cooperation and improving coordination among municipalities in the country’s central region, the Municipality of Ljubljana established RRA LUR on 15 January 2001. At the time, the Mayor of Ljubljana, Mrs. Viktorija Potočnik assumed the presidency of the Ljubljana Urban Region Council, composed of the mayors of the region. She was later succeeded by Mayor Danica Simšič, and since 2007 the Council has been chaired by Mayor Zoran Janković. The agency’s governance structure is further supported by the Regional Development Council of the Ljubljana Urban Region, which brings together representatives of municipalities, the business sector and NGOs and is chaired by Metod Ropret, as well as by the Management Board, led for 25 years by Prof. Metka Tekavčič, PhD.
Overcoming challenges for long-term impact
Over the past 25 years, the agency has grown into a strong and competitive institution. Through a professional, proactive and collaborative approach, it has effectively supported the development of a region that represents Slovenia’s economic, educational, cultural and scientific centre and generates the highest GDP per capita in the country. The Ljubljana Urban Region is the largest in Slovenia — with more inhabitants than the six smallest regions combined — and also one of the most diverse.
Guided by long-term development goals, RRA LUR has navigated numerous challenges requiring swift, careful and consensus-based responses among many stakeholders. Regional development in Slovenia takes place in the absence of formal regional powers and stable funding sources, within a highly dynamic legislative, institutional and financial environment.
Over the agency’s 25-year history, 12 national governments have changed, regional development responsibilities have been placed under 4 different ministries and 2 independent offices, and a national Agency for Regional Development was established. Four years ago, regional development agencies finally gained an appropriate counterpart at the national level — the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. In such a shifting environment, coordinated support from key stakeholders is essential, as the results of strategic planning and development become visible only in the long term.
Celebrating Cooperation and Trust
In her keynote address, director of RRA LUR, Lilijana Madjar, Msc. emphasised:
“Mayors, you have demonstrated that development transcends municipal borders and political colours. When you decide together, the region develops in a coherent, thoughtful and long-term manner. My sincere thanks for your trust, patience and courage in sustaining this shared story.”
She welcomed the forthcoming legislative amendments for a balanced regional development and the preparation of the National Regional Development Strategy 2050, which are expected to provide more stable systemic funding in the future. She stressed that openness to dialogue, willingness to cooperate and respect for professional expertise are crucial for the effective functioning of development agencies.
She also expressed sincere gratitude to the event’s distinguished speakers — Mayor Zoran Janković, Chair of the Management Board Prof. Metka Tekavčič, PhD, and Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development, Aleksander Jevšek, PhD — for their constructive cooperation and support, and for recognising the importance of regions and strengthening the position of regional development agencies.
Recognition Across Local and National Levels
Mayor Zoran Janković, while presenting a protocol gift to Director Madjar, expressed his appreciation for the agency’s achievements under her leadership. Minister Aleksander Jevšek, PhD, likewise acknowledged the results of cooperation and coordination achieved by RRA LUR, highlighting the invaluable role of regional agencies in ensuring more effective state governance and better representation of municipalities. He commended the agency’s high professional standards and dedication to improving quality of life in the region.
A global player
At a time when national borders are increasingly blurred and the world functions as an interconnected platform of global cooperation, RRA LUR continues to play an active and recognisable role internationally. Through participation in numerous international projects, the agency learns from the best and transfers practices to the local context, exchanges knowledge and contributes to shaping European policies through involvement in key institutions such as the Assembly of European Regions, the European Association of Development Agencies and the European Committee of the Regions.
Motivation for future achievements
The many words of encouragement, appreciation and respect received during the celebration represent valuable recognition of RRA LUR’s work. Above all, they serve as strong motivation for the future — for continued cooperation, joint problem-solving and transforming challenges into new development opportunities for the Ljubljana Urban Region.
