ECOFEST AND ECOWEEK: Fostering Sustainable Consumption

EKOPRAZNIK (ECOFEST) IN LJUBLJANA

In 2002 we organized 1st EKOPRAZNIK (ORGANIC FESTIVAL) in Ljubljana, in cooperation with the Association of Organic Farmers of Central Slovenia, with the intention to bring organic food and organic farming closer to the public. Since then, we have organised these events every September.

Photo: Dr. Janez Drnovšek, former President of the Republic of Slovenia, buying organic foods on 4th Ecofest.

In the first years, ORGANIC FESTIVAL was primarily intended for promotion of organic foods by the organic farmers from all over Slovenia, but also from Austria, Italy and Croatia. However in 2005 we decided to give the event a new boast by including other products and activities based on supporting organic and healthy life style: eco /bio building - architecture, certified organic cosmetics, ecological detergents, organic tourist farms, organic gastronomy (restaurants and hotels offering certified organic meals), fair trade products... There were different workshops, presentations, lectures, as well as eco & organic events for children. In some local bars they also served organic snacks, teas and drinks.

Photo: Table of one of the restaurants offering certified organic meals.

Photo: Live music on Pogačarjev trg (Ljubljana Central market).

The 4th ECOFEST therefore carried a new slogan: »GoodLife: ECO and healthy«.
On ORGANIC FESTIVAL people can also get into direct contact with the organic farmers associations, environmental and other NGOs, organic inspection bodies...

Last year's ORGANIC FESTIVAL

5th EKOPRAZNIK took place on 6th till 8th of September 2006 in the old town centre of Ljubljana, with a big organic market and live music on Pogačarjev trg (Ljubljana Central market).

ECOFEST AND ECOWEEK: Fostering Sustainable Consumption

In 2007, Ecofest in Ljubljana was enlarged with Ecoweek.

In 2008 a new phase started with the project ECOFEST and ECOWEEK: Fostering Sustainable Consumption. This is now a series of awareness-raising, educational and training events aimed at  promotion of organic food and farming, ecological products and services, Fair Trade movement/development issues and FT products.

Main supporter of the project is City Municipality of Ljubljana, with numerous other supporters from public and private sector.