President
Marjan Zupanc
Entrepreneur from the Trieste industrial area, represents the association before Italian and Slovenian institutions.
About us
SDGZ-URES — Regional Economic Union of Slovenes in Italy
SDGZ-URES — the Regional Economic Union of Slovenes in Italy — is an intercategory association that since 1946 has brought together and represented Slovenian entrepreneurs in Italy. For over half a century, SDGZ-URES has been committed to the economic development of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region and to safeguarding the interests of member companies across various sectors, advocating for the needs of business owners before the competent authorities.
Our history
80 years alongside Slovenian entrepreneurs
From postwar Trieste to a cross-border digital ecosystem: eight milestones that shaped SDGZ-URES.
- 1946
Founded in Trieste
Established after WWII to bring together Slovenian entrepreneurs in the Julian region.
- 1954
Trieste returns to Italy
London Memorandum: new institutional setting; SDGZ represents the economic rights of the minority.
- 1991
Slovenian independence
Cross-border office opens with the first structured partnerships with GZS supporting IT-SI trade.
- 2004
Slovenia joins the EU
Internal borders fall: Interreg programmes open new opportunities for joint market entry in Europe.
- 2007
Schengen area
Full mobility of goods and people between Trieste, Koper and Ljubljana — cross-border logistics accelerates.
- 2013
Euro in Slovenia
Shared currency removes FX risk: IT-SI trade grows and SDGZ launches new advisory services.
- 2020
COVID resilience
About 300 announcements in one year: emergency support for members and a digital-first pivot of the association.
- 2026
Digital ecosystem
Launch of a new member portal, CRM and academy: SDGZ-URES for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Mission and values
What guides our daily work
Supporting Slovenian entrepreneurs in Italy in their growth, market expansion and in building durable links. Four values guide our decisions.
Entrepreneurship
We stand beside companies: concrete results, measurable advisory hours, grants won.
Bilingualism
Italian and Slovenian at parity. Every service accessible in both languages.
European integration
Italy–Slovenia cross-border perspective as a strategic axis within the EU single market.
Community network
Connecting ~800 companies that support each other, share opportunities and joint projects.
Leadership
Board and presidency
Presidency elected at the 49th Elective Assembly, with representation from the six vertical sections.
Vice-President
Ana Kosmina
Responsible for cross-border projects and collaboration with GZS, Ljubljana and Koper.
Secretary General
Giorgio Devetak
Coordinates the secretariat, member relations and operational organisation of events.
Treasurer
Tanja Polanec
In charge of the association budget, accounting and reporting to the Assembly.
Counselors
Section presidents
Six representatives across trade, crafts, agriculture, tourism, services and liberal professions.
Names and roles are placeholders; official data will be updated after proclamation.
Team
Secretariat and officers
The people who support members of the association every day.
Commercial Manager
Luka Bratuž
Grants support, commercial advisory, relationships with the banking system and financial partners.
Training Lead
Nina Skok
SDGZ Academy, corporate training, coordination with regional and European programmes.
Member Secretariat
Petra Vidali
First point of contact for membership, member enquiries, organisation of the Assembly and elections.
Communications Lead
Davide Rupel
The association's newsletter, media relations, new digital channels and public relations.
Six vertical sections
Industry-based organization — enables specialized representation and peer networking.
Trade
~180 membersWholesale and retail, cross-border IT-SI trade.
Crafts
~150 membersArtisan businesses, CATA FVG grants, digitalization.
Agriculture
~80 membersKarst wines, olive oil, viticulture, agritourism.
Hospitality & tourism
~90 membersHotels, restaurants, tour guides. New section (2023).
Services
~140 membersConsulting, IT, translation, marketing.
Liberal professions
~160 membersLawyers, accountants, engineers, architects.
Transparency
Statute and financial reports
Public documents of the association: founding act and the last three years' financial reports.
SDGZ-URES Statute
Version approved by the Assembly. It defines objectives, bodies, rights and duties of members.
Financial reports — last 3 years
Annual reports presented to the Assembly and publicly available.
Press kit / Media
For media enquiries, interviews and materials (logo, photos, fact sheet) write to the email below.
Want to join us?
Join the community of around 800 Slovenian companies in Italy. Free advisory, training and networking.
Membership