What It’s Like to Build a Life in Ljubljana?

On 30 October 2025, an issue-raising meeting was held at the Info Office community space in Ljubljana, bringing together members of the migrant community, mostly asylum seekers, and Denis Striković, Ljubljana city councillor from the opposition Vesna Green Party and member of the Committees for International Relations and the Environment. The meeting focused on the everyday realities of migrants living in the city and the challenges they face.

Participants highlighted the difficulty of accessing affordable housing, particularly public housing for families. Non-citizens are excluded from national social housing schemes, while existing national and municipal programmes remain insufficient. Due to decades of underinvestment in public housing, the number of applicants far exceeds the available units.

High rents and the overall cost of living force many migrants to work long hours, which affects work–life balance, family life, and the time they are able to spend with their children. Learning Slovenian was identified as another key challenge. Language skills are essential for integration and better employment opportunities, yet there are not enough courses available at times that suit people who work. Participants also pointed to difficulties in accessing healthcare, as well as sports and cultural activities.

Particularly worrying were accounts of racial profiling by the police, in shops, and in everyday interactions. These experiences point to the need for stronger and more consistent anti-discrimination measures at the institutional level.

Participants also drew attention to legal restrictions affecting asylum seekers. Without special permission, they are not allowed to leave the municipality where their address is registered, which limits their mobility, employment prospects, and social participation.

Creating spaces where migrants can speak about their experiences is essential for inclusive and democratic policymaking. The meeting provided an important opportunity for participants to share their concerns directly and to highlight the barriers they face while living in Ljubljana.

Ongoing dialogue and cooperation between migrants, civil society organisations, and local authorities will be crucial for addressing these issues and developing more inclusive local policies.

The meeting was facilitated by Kulturno društvo Gmajna, the Peace Institute, and Infokolpa.

Photo: Issue-raising meeting at the Info Office, Ljubljana, 2025 (KDG)

The event is part of the project EMV-LII issue-raising meetings, co-funded by the EU.