German Economy Award, presented by the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ljubljana and IEDC – Bled School of Management, has been awarded this year to Lidl Slovenia. The winner was announced at a ceremony at the Grand Plaza Hotel on March 25th. This year’s finalists also included the pharmaceutical company Bayer and LP Mycron.
This year’s award theme focused on lifelong learning. The expert jury evaluated candidates based on excellence in accessibility of learning programmes, effectiveness of initiatives, contribution to strategic business goals, employee motivation for learning, and the creation of an inclusive and sustainable work environment.
Lilijana Remich, Board Member for Human Resources at Lidl Slovenia and Lidl Croatia, said upon receiving the award:
“Being named among the finalists is a valuable recognition of our commitment to being the first choice for customers and the best choice for employees. We are proud that our strategic programme ‘Good Life’ sets new standards in lifelong learning. This recognition confirms that by encouraging continuous growth and digital literacy, we are creating an environment in which every individual can realise their full potential. We remain committed to a culture of trust, as we believe empowered employees co-create the best experience for our customers.”
The expert jury included Prof. Dr Nenad Filipović (IEDC – Bled School of Management, Chair), Katja Stadler (Director of DESLO – AHK Business Services and Deputy Director of AHK Slovenia), Tone Strnad (Founder and long-time Director of Medis d.o.o.), and Natalie Šeruga (Economic Department, German Embassy Ljubljana).
Dr Nenad Filipović highlighted:
“This year’s theme was lifelong learning. All three finalists demonstrated a high level of organisational commitment and achieved outstanding results. The jury assessed excellence across five areas: accessibility, effectiveness, strategic contribution, employee motivation, and supportive organisational culture. Lidl Slovenia stood out with a well-balanced range of activities for a diverse workforce, with a strong focus on professional and personal development as well as employee well-being. In doing so, it contributes not only to business performance but also to society at large. It is also encouraging to see that smaller companies, such as LP Mycron, can achieve excellent results in this field.”
Katja Stadler added:
“In times of rapid technological change, lifelong learning is becoming a key competitive advantage for companies. This year’s candidates confirm that investing in employees is a strategic investment in the future. Such approaches strengthen innovation and resilience while also contributing positively to society by promoting knowledge, development, and sustainable progress. The award also recognises the strong economic cooperation between Slovenia and Germany, built on trust, partnership, and a shared vision for the future.”
Sylvia Groneick, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Slovenia, emphasised that Europe’s future competitiveness will depend largely on how successfully it invests in knowledge, innovation, and lifelong learning:
“We can no longer rely solely on established approaches; we must be ready to adapt and evolve. Responsible use of artificial intelligence also plays an important role, supporting progress while maintaining social inclusion. This is why this year’s award theme is particularly relevant, highlighting the importance of education and continuous training for the future of companies and society. With openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, we can actively shape a more competitive European future.”
At the event, Gabriele Rose was also introduced as the new President of the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce. She noted:
“Strategic cooperation between people, companies, and institutions is more important today than ever before. This lies at the heart of our chamber’s mission: to foster partnerships, create new opportunities, and strengthen trust and collaboration between Slovenia and Germany. Congratulations to all finalists and to Lidl Slovenia. I am honoured to begin my mandate at such an inspiring event.”
Finalist LP Mycron, a manufacturing company based in Ptuj specialising in high-precision CNC machining and complex serial production processes for international clients, places strong emphasis on employee development. Structured onboarding, mentorship programmes, internal and external training, and the gradual integration of digital and AI-related skills form a key part of its approach to long-term competitiveness.
Joachim Sturmes, CEO of LP Mycron, stated:
“Being named a finalist represents a great recognition for our company. Continuous learning and employee development are essential for maintaining technological excellence and sustainable growth.”
At Bayer, lifelong learning is seen as a key driver of employee development and innovation.
Iwer Baecker, Alpe Adria Commercial Lead and Managing Director at Bayer, said:
“At Bayer, lifelong learning transforms curiosity into impact. Our integrated learning ecosystem provides every employee with access, guidance, and clear development pathways for skills, responsible innovation, and faster results. We are especially proud that these efforts have been recognised externally. The nomination is an important confirmation of our commitment to learning and development.”
The German Economy Award is organised by the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ljubljana and IEDC – Bled School of Management. Since 2014, the award has highlighted companies that contribute to the development of a modern, innovative, and internationally connected business environment in Slovenia.
