An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Doesn't Happen By Chance – The Role of RRA LUR in the Development of the Region

Dejan Marinčič is the Advisor to the Director for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR), where he also serves as the Head of the successful entrepreneurial programme PONI LUR (Enterprisingly Tackling Challenges). His work is focused on actively creating and strengthening the supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region, with an emphasis on the strategic planning and implementation of programmes for business start-up and growth. He is an experienced expert and mentor for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), having advised more than one hundred different companies on their development and growth. Furthermore, he is an expert in the field of leadership and the author of several articles on the topic of conscious leadership. Through his strategic work, leadership of key entrepreneurial programmes, and advisory role, he significantly contributes to the development of the innovation ecosystem and new entrepreneurial opportunities in the Ljubljana Urban Region.

Ljubljana, Slovenia. E-mail: dejan.marincic@rralur.si 

Lilijana Madjar, MSc, is the Director of the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR), which she has been successfully leading for eighteen years. With over 25 years of experience in leading public institutions, she is a key figure in shaping and implementing regional development policy in Slovenia. Under her leadership, the agency has transformed from an administrative body into a proactive strategic hub focused on promoting sustainable development, innovation, and international cooperation. Her areas of expertise include strategic management, multi-level governance, and European cohesion policy. She is also active in the international sphere, including as Vice President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) for Cohesion, Digitalisation, and Public Services. With her vision and leadership, she decisively contributes to the strategic positioning of the Ljubljana Urban Region as an innovative, green, and connected area in the European space.

Ljubljana, Slovenia. E-mail: lilijana.madjar@rralur.si

Miha Marič, Ph.D., is a researcher in the field of leadership, management and organizational sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana. He is currently employed as an associate professor at the University of Maribor’s Faculty of Organizational Sciences. His research interests are power, leadership, organizational behavior, human resource management, organization and management. He is the author of numerous original scientific articles, professional articles, papers at scientific conferences, scientific monographs, and was an editor and reviewer. He also participates in research projects and consulting work.

Kranj, Slovenia. E-mail: miha.maric@um.si