At 4th Congress of Economic Democracy (KED 2025), we opened a debate on the future of Employee co-ownership according to the Esop model. Slovenia is thus embarking on a path towards greater economic sovereignty and long-term sustainable solutions for businesses in times of uncertainty and change.

KED 2025 addressed the major changes we are facing: the generational retreat from ownership and the decline of family succession are opening the door to large global investors, who are increasingly taking over Slovenian companies. At the same time, the values of younger generations are changing, demanding a new vision for the workplace - one based on cooperation, fairness and shared responsibility.

KED 2025 opened with a keynote address Dr Teja Gonze, Director of the Institute for Economic Democracy. He stressed that the work on the ESOP law, with the help of the current government, stakeholders from the economy and social partners, has turned into a serious political project that is now being followed by the whole world.

In his opening address, Mr the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, stressed, that he is confident that the Workers' Co-operative Ownership Act will "survive all governments" and remain one of the foundations of a healthy Slovenian economy, which is the key to a prosperous country.

In part "Ask the Minister" is Minister Luka Mesec presented his views on building a bridge between progressive politics and business and answered three questions from the audience. He said that as soon as the law is adopted, it will be essential to communicate the benefits of the law to as many businesses and employees as possible, as well as to the wider public. He mentioned the need for tax relief for labour, which will also be possible indirectly through the Esop model of employee co-ownership.  

The main guest, Cindy Turcot, former CEO of the successful American Esop company, shared her personal story of how the company solved the succession issue by transferring ownership to employees and rewarding the team that helped build its success. In her presentation, she stressed the importance of building a culture of ownership and a collaborative approach to management, which gives employee-owned companies their greatest competitive advantage.

At Round tables "Stepping stones to practice", chaired by Tilen Božič, prof. dr. Aleksandra Kanjuo Mrčela (IED), mag. Katja Božič (MF), Saša Muhič Pureber (Inea d.o.o.) and Andraž Grahek (Capital Genetics).

The discussion showed that Slovenian companies already recognise the potential of the Esop model - especially as a route to more motivated employees and a more stable ownership structure. They touched on governance and building a healthy ownership culture, what tax breaks the new ESOP law brings, under what conditions the transition is feasible and how it is financially supported.

Employee Ownership Cooperative Actwhich will provide tax relief on the transition to employee co-ownership and on payments made to workers through the Esop scheme, expected very soon!

Thank you to all participants who showed that the topic of employee co-ownership must not remain a dead letter on paper, but the foundation for a better and more stable future.

We would like to thank our partners, sponsors and supporters of the event: