On Thursday, September 10th 2026, the Municipality of Velenje will host the sixth international Welcome Future Conference in the Grand Cinema Hall of Hotel Paka. This year's edition will focus on the future of European cities and their transformation into centres of knowledge, innovation, and high quality of life.
Under the title Cities in Motion, the conference will bring together representatives of cities, businesses, research institutions, development agencies, startup ecosystems, and policymakers from Slovenia and abroad to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the cities of tomorrow.
How can cities create the conditions to become laboratories of the future?
European cities are no longer competing solely for investment. Today, they compete for talent, knowledge, innovation and quality of life. Many post-industrial cities are asking similar questions: how can they redefine their identity, retain and attract talent, transform industrial heritage into new opportunities, mobilise local stakeholders, and create an environment where innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration can thrive.
Velenje is one of the European cities actively shaping its future. As a member of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and a city undergoing economic transition, it is positioning itself as a place for experimentation, collaboration and the development of new solutions for the future.
Through inspiring European examples, the conference will explore four complementary dimensions of successful urban transformation:
- Knowledge & Talent
- Industry, Entrepreneurship & Economic Transformation
- Governance, Participation & Partnerships
- Innovation Ecosystems & Urban Experimentation
Together, these four perspectives illustrate how cities can create the conditions for innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term urban development.
Particular attention will be given to cities as laboratories of the future—places where innovation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, public dialogue and experimentation help shape resilient, inclusive and competitive urban communities.
How can we create an environment that attracts talent, fosters innovation, strengthens communities, and unlocks new opportunities for growth?
Welcome Future 2026 will provide answers, inspiration, and networking opportunities for everyone who believes that the successful future of cities is built on knowledge, collaboration, innovation, and the courage to embrace change.
Getting to the Conference Venue
We encourage all participants to travel to the venue on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport (Lokalc). If you are arriving by car, please park in the Mercator Parking Garage and walk to the Grand Cinema Hall of Hotel Paka. If you are travelling as part of a group, we encourage you to share transportation whenever possible to help reduce traffic and environmental impact.
— SPEAKERS —
Peter dermol
Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje
dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs
Minister of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia
Anna Krzyżanowska
Adviser, Directorate General for R&I, European Commission
dr. Chiara Lucchini
Head of Territorial Development, Torino Urban Lab
Liviu Purtător
Adviser to the Mayor's Office, Municipality of Cluj-Napoca
Prof. Dr. Bogdan Ovidiu Varga
Full Professor at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and Director of the Electric Mobility Applied Research Center (EMARC)
ZORAN pOZNIČ, MSC.
Mayor,
Municipality of Trbovlje
Marko Novak, MSC.
Management Board Adviser, Dewesoft d.o.o.
Søren Revsbech Dam
Senior Project Manager,
ProjectZero
Vlatka Berlan Vlahek
City Advisor,
NetZeroCities
Tanja Ževart Boček
Director,
SAŠA Incubator / TecHub
Katalin Döbrönte, PHD
Strategic advisor to the Mayor of Pécs in climate affair
dR. Tomaž Bregar
Director of Advanced Development, Hisense Europe
Maja Tomanič Vidovič, MSC.
Director,
Slovene Enterprise Fund (SPS)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Blaž Likozar
Head of the Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering, National Institute of Chemistry
Nina DremelJ
President,
Business Angels of Slovenia
DEJAN FLAŠKER
Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Innovation and Digitalisation in Education and Science, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth
karla sitar
Head of the Economic Development and Transition Office, Municipality of Velenje
Who Is the Conference For?
The conference is intended for everyone shaping the future of cities, including:
- Representatives of cities, municipalities, and regional authorities
- Urban planners, architects, and city development professionals
- Researchers, academics, and students
- Businesses, startups, and innovation organisations
- Policymakers, NGOs, and anyone interested in sustainable urban development
Conference Objectives
- Showcase inspiring examples of successful urban transformation across Europe.
- Foster the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices.
- Connect cities, businesses, researchers, and policymakers.
- Co-create sustainable and innovative solutions for the cities of tomorrow.
- Present European approaches to successful urban transformation and strengthening the competitiveness of cities.
REGISTER NOW
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Conference Moderator: Denis Oštir
01
08:00–09:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
02
09:00–09:20
Opening Remarks
Peter Dermol, Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje (SI)
Dr. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, Minister of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia (SI)
03
9:20–9:40
Opening Keynote
The Future is already herE: European innovation with cities and for cities
Anna Krzyżanowska, Adviser, Directorate General for R&I, European Commission (EU)
04
09:40–10:10
The Story Behind Urban Transformation – Torino
The City as a Laboratory for Innovation: New Approaches to Urban RegeneratioN
Dr. Chiara Lucchini, Head of Territorial Development, Torino Urban Lab (IT)
05
10:10–10:25
Coffee Break
06
10:25–12:05
Four Models of Transformation
MODEL 1: Knowledge & Talent
How can universities become engines of urban development, innovation and talent attraction?
Liviu Purtător, Adviser to the Mayor's Office, Municipality of Cluj-Napoca (RO)
Prof. Dr. Bogdan Ovidiu Varga, Full Professor at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and Director of the Electric Mobility Applied Research Center (EMARC) (RO)
MODEL 2: Industry, Entrepreneurship & Economic Transformation
How can industrial cities build new economic opportunities through entrepreneurship, innovation and practical local solutions?
Zoran Poznič, MSc. , Mayor, Municipality of Trbovlje (SI)
Marko Novak, MSc. , Management Board Adviser, Dewesoft d.o.o. (SI)
MODEL 3: Governance, Participation & Partnerships
How can cities build strong partnerships with industry, citizens and local stakeholders to drive transformation?
Søren Revsbech Dam, Senior Project Manager, ProjectZero (DK)
Katalin Döbrönte, Ph.D., Strategic advisor to the Mayor of Pécs in climate affair (HU)
MODEL 4: Innovation Ecosystems & Urban Experimentation
How can transition cities build innovation ecosystems that attract talent, investment and new businesses?
Tanja Ževart Boček, Director, SAŠA Incubator (SI)
Karla Sitar, Head of the Economic Development and Transition Office, Municipality of Velenje (SI)
07
12:20–12:30
Coffee Break
08
12:05–12:20
European Perspective – How Cities Are Becoming Drivers of Innovation
How are cities exploring and testing new solutions, connecting different stakeholders, and turning urban challenges into opportunities for innovation and development?
Vlatka Berlan Vlahek, City Advisor, NetZeroCities (HR)
09
12:30–13:25
Closing Round Table: How can Velenje become an Innovation Valley?
What should Velenje do over the next decade to become an Innovation Valley?
Peter Dermol, Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje (SI)
Dejan Flašker, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Innovation and Digitalisation in Education and Science, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth
Dr Tomaž Bregar, Director of Advanced Development, Hisense Europe / Gorenje (SI)
Anna Krzyżanowska, Adviser for Startups and Scaleups, European Commission (EU)
MSc Maja Tomanič Vidovič, Director, Slovene Enterprise Fund (SPS) (SI)
Assoc. Prof. Dr Blaž Likozar, Head of the Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering, National Institute of Chemistry (SI)
Nina Dremelj, President, Business Angels of Slovenia (SI)
10
13:25–13:35
Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks by the Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje
11
13:35–13:50
Media Statements
**The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme.**
— Organizers of the Conference —
Funded by the Horizon Europe Programme – Enabling City Transformation (Zero Move).
Location
Rudarska cesta 1, 3320 Velenje
info@pozdravljena-prihodnost.eu