- 14 October 2025
- 17:30 - 20:30
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
CED
2025
- KED is an annual event that raises questions and offers answers on how to make our economy more sustainable and inclusive.
2025 Congress of Economic Democracy
- In partnership with:
- 14 October 2025
- 17:30 - 20:30
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
The business world is facing major changes. We are facing a generational retreat from ownership, family succession is on the wane, and the door is opening for large global investors to take over Slovenian companies. We are facing changing values among the younger generations, who are demanding a new vision of the workplace. Geopolitical uncertainty leads to an unstable business environment, and we need sustainable solutions for the sovereignty of our economy.
At this year's Economic Democracy Congress, we will present the story of an American company that solved the problem of ownership succession by creating employee co-ownership and rewarding the team of employees who helped make the business a success story. Slovenian business experts will talk about the ESOP legislation expected in 2025 and how Slovenian companies will benefit from it.
How will you react to the coming changes?
Read more about this year's Congress
The Economic Democracy Congress is the Institute for Economic Democracy's flagship event for discussing progressive models of entrepreneurial organisation.
This year's event, the fourth edition, builds on the success of previous congresses, with last year's event being the best attended ever with 120 guests.
The event is aimed at Slovenian entrepreneurs, managers and employees, financial organisations and other stakeholders in the economy interested in new, advanced practices of entrepreneurial organisation. The ESOP law, which has been gaining a lot of support and attention worldwide in recent years, enters the Slovenian legal order in 2025. In Slovenia, the new law will also give owners the opportunity to sell shares in their company to employees.
Did you know that the best people are interested in working for ESOP companies abroad?
Employee co-ownership is a powerful tool for attracting quality staff to build a strong and committed team. Employee co-ownership also leads to company growth and development.
Are you looking for a succession route and concerned about your legacy in the local area?
The ESOP model allows for the sale of the business, rewarding the hard work of the team and allowing the business to continue within the local community. In the UK, ESOP buyouts have been the second most popular exit method for existing owners for two years running. At the Congress we will be offering businesses a wealth of useful information to help you put the model into practice.
We will answer the following questions:
- How do employee-owned companies work abroad?
- Why would an owner decide to sell the company to his employees?
- What benefits can users of the ESOP Law expect?
- What role will banks and others in the financial sector play in the ecosystem?
- What do you need to look out for when moving to employee co-ownership?
Sponsors
This year's programme
Dr. Tej Gonza, IED
Greetings from the Director
What the new legislation means for Slovenian businesses
PV Dr. Robert Golob
Opening address
Why the government supports employee involvement in business co-ownership
Minister Luka Mesec
Ask the Minister
The relationship between the economy and progressive politics: a conversation between Minister Mesco and the audience
Cindy Turcot, former Director of ESOP Company (USA)
Keynote lecture and audience discussion
My experience of moving to employee co-ownership: challenges and benefits
Roundtable: A step towards practice
Tilen Božič,
moderator of the panel discussion
Transition to employee co-ownership: legal, organisational and financial aspects
Prof. dr. Aleksandra Kanjuo Mrčela,
IED
Governance in employee-owned companies and the role of a healthy ownership culture
Mag. Katja Božič,
State Secretary for the Ministry of Finance
Tax benefits of the new legislation for entrepreneurs, businesses and employees
Saša Muhič Pureber, Director
Sales, Inea d.o.o.
Experience with the ESOP model of employee co-ownership
Andraž Grahek, Director of Capital Genetics
Financial feasibility of moving to an ESOP model and financing options
Networking and banquet
| Time | Programme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 17:15 | Meeting and registration | On the premises of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| 17:30 - 17:45 | Director's address, music item | Dr Tej Gonza, Director of the Institute for Economic Democracy |
| 17:45 - 17:50 | Opening address | Dr Robert Golob, Prime Minister |
| 17:50 - 18:00 | Ask the Minister: The relationship between the economy and progressive politics - Minister Mesco talks to the audience | Luka Mesec, Minister for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities |
| 18:00 - 18:20 | Keynote lecture: My experience of moving to an ESOP model and running an employee-owned business | Cindy Turcot, former Director of ESOP Company (USA) |
| 18:20 - 18:40 | Moderated conversation with Cindy Turcot and the audience - ask Cindy | |
| 18:40 - 19:30 | Roundtable: a step towards practice | Tilen Božič, moderator of the panel discussion Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Kanjuo Mrčela, IED Mag. Katja Božič, State Secretary for the Ministry of Finance Saša Muhič Pureber, Inea d.o.o. Andraž Grahek, Director of Capital Genetics |
| 19:30 - 19:50 | Questions from the audience - ask the experts | |
| 19:50 - 20:45 | Musical item and banquet | TBD |
| 20:45 | Conclusion of the Congress |
The Slovenian economy is at a crossroads. As many as 40 % existing owners will transfer ownership of their companies. One question remains: to where? The new legislation in Slovenia opens a new path - the path of employee co-ownership, which is worth exploring.
Tej Gonza, Director of the Institute for Economic Democracy
Gallery
Check out highlights from last year's 3rd Congress for Economic Democracy
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