On 4 September 2025, FoodCoP hosted the second session of its Startup Village Webinar Series, diving into the inspiring ecosystem of Startup Village Kočevje in Slovenia. Led by Sonja Hribar, Project Manager at PI Kočevje, and featuring guest speaker Andrej Mladenović, Deputy Mayor of Kočevje, the webinar showcased how local cooperation, green innovation, and cross-sectoral partnerships are transforming rural regions.

Kočevje, known for its pristine forests and resilient community, is emerging as a leader in sustainable rural development. With 86% of its territory covered in forest and only 16,000 inhabitants across 86 settlements, the municipality faces significant infrastructure and demographic challenges. Yet, through targeted initiatives, it is rewriting its future — one rooted in biodiversity, local entrepreneurship, and education.

From shared processing facilities and herb gardens to urban gardening projects and the innovative cooperative shop Zakladi Kočevske (Treasures of Kočevje), the session explored how diverse actors — from farmers and educators to entrepreneurs and municipal leaders — co-create a circular, resilient economy. The region’s Smart City strategy and investments in solar energy also reflect a commitment to aligning local actions with broader EU green and digital transitions.

Webinar participants discovered how Kočevje connects education, sustainability, and entrepreneurship into a unified model that inspires both community empowerment and strategic investment. The session left one clear message: small-scale rural initiatives, when networked and nurtured, can drive big transformations.

🎥 The full webinar recording is available on the FoodCoP platform:
👉 https://www.platform-foodcop.eu/