The world is changing at an unprecedented speed. What are the most important competencies that public servants need to have to do their jobs efficiently and to citizens’ satisfaction? What is Slovenia doing in this regard? How much is public sector learning from the private sector?

Due to the speed of change that we are experiencing across all areas, the competencies that enable public servants to be flexible, cooperative, proactive in their services, responsible users of digital services, and focused on learning are already important now and will become even more so in the future.
This year, we upgraded the competency model used in the state administration make it more relevant and fit for the future. We recognize the importance of identifying our employees' potential and ensuring that we have the right people in the right jobs. Our goal is to have more satisfied employees who provide quality services to the economy and citizens. Slovenia is strengthening these areas through various strategies.

The human resources management strategy for public administration until 2030 is based on the introduction of strategic and comprehensive approaches to human resources management. Taking the digital strategy into account, it is essential to promote lifelong learning with an emphasis on the developing leadership skills, fostering innovation, and cultivating a development-oriented organizational culture. Slovenian public administration follows, tests, and meaningfully incorporates good economic practices into its operations, while upholding the principles of legality, equal treatment, and protection of the public interest.

Denmark consistently leads Europe in efficiency, transparency and citizen satisfaction. The Slovenian Ministry of Public Administration has launched two key initiatives – the Innovation Community and the Policy Design Hub. How do you see these initiatives contributing to greater efficiency, collaboration, and innovation in the delivery of public services in Slovenia?

If we want users to recognize public administration services as successful, we must find ways to involve them in the design process. Solutions should only be implemented after they have been tested or verified to ensure they are perceived as appropriate by those for whom they are intended. Slovenia has introduced two solutions aimed at taking a systematic approach to improving the public sector, in both the preparation and implementation of regulations.
The Innovation Community aims to promote networking within the public sector to encourage the transfer of good practices that promote progress and improve quality of life. The Policy-Design Hub aims to facilitate organized cooperation between policymakers and various stakeholders; introduce experimentation and innovation in the public sector; and to monitor the impact and effectiveness of implemented measures.

What is your vision for the future of Slovenian public administration, and how is the government fostering a culture of trust and accountability—ensuring that reforms not only improve efficiency but also deliver real value and confidence for citizens, as seen in countries like Switzerland where 62% of citizens trust their government?

The vision for the future of Slovenian public administration is based on trust, professionalism, and accountability. According to available research, countries with a high level of trust in the functioning of the public sector at all levels have achieved this through long-term investment in transparency, predictability, and citizen engagement. Slovenia is following these principles by modernizing administrative procedures, digitizing services, strengthening integrity, and setting measurable goals to enable accountability based on results. Digital and inclusive services, transparent procedures improve citizens' experience and strengthen the administration's legitimacy. Thus, reforms pursue not only efficiency, but also real value for people in the form of faster, impartial public administration services that are more transparent and comprehensible.