Is Ljubljana a safe city?

Safety was one of the determining key factors when choosing the host city for the Hearth Summit.  Ljubljana has proven to be a very welcoming city with a unique charm that can be felt around every corner.

In 2024, Ljubljana was ranked as the third safest city in Europe by the Best Diplomats organization, following The Hague and Munich. 

Source: Ljubljana is among the ten safest cities in Europe

Source: Ljubljana is the third safest city in Europe in 2024 – THE Slovenia

As well, according to the Global Peace Report 2024, Slovenia is among the safest countries in the world, ranking 9th on the list in this regard. 

The city is also considered a suitable destination for solo women travellers. In 2024, the city was awarded the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award with a gold recognition for their work in addressing violence against women. 

What’s covered financially? (Sessions, Meals, and Transport)

Once registered, in-person attendees will have access to all of the events taking place throughout the course of the Summit. 

For lunch, attendees will be granted, upon in-person registration, a lunch card with an €80 allowance to cover their lunch for the duration of the Summit. You can find more information about the lunch card and how and where to use it on the “On-Site Information” section of the app, under “Meals & Lunch Card”.

Dinner will be served on June 17th during the Welcome Cocktail and on June 18th during the Hearth Feast. For the evening of June 19th, attendees will be responsible for covering their own meal.

Is Ljubljana expensive?

Ljubljana is considered one of the more affordable European capitals for tourists. Dining out, transportation, and attractions are generally budget-friendly for European standards, especially since it is a compact and walkable city, and most sights to visit and admire are part of the city centre—remember that Ljubljana is all about the atmosphere and its charm. 

You’ll find a wide range of accommodation prices, and public transport is inexpensive and reliable. Also, general day-to-day prices are relatively reasonable in European standards:

• Public transport ticket in Ljubljana city bus: €1.30
• Coffee: €4
• Sandwich: €7
• Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant: €40
• Beer/pint at the bar: €3.50
• Bed in a hostel dorm: €25-35
• Basic hotel room for two: €70-100

Is transportation to and from the airport covered?

For participants arriving directly at Ljubljana airport, ground transportation into the city will not be provided. Please refer to the “How to Prepare” section for detailed guidance on available transportation options from the airport to the city. 

Special assistance cases: if the attendee has indicated the need of special assistance in the registration form, transportation services will be provided to and from the airport, and in-between the venues.

Is transportation within the city covered?

Another reason why Ljubljana has been chosen as our host city is due to its incredible walkability design that makes it very pedestrian-friendly. Almost all the venues chosen for the Summit are in the city center very close to each other–a very intentional choice– within a 5 to 20 minute walk at most, making it easy to navigate without the need for local transportation. If at some point you want to use local transportation, we’ve outlined all the available options in the “How to Prepare” section below. 

Special assistance cases: if the attendee has indicated the need of special assistance in the registration form, transportation services will be provided to and from the airport and in-between the venues.

Are venues accessible?

We strive to make all Hearth Summit venues as accessible as possible to ensure an inclusive experience for everyone. 

Attendees who indicated support needs in the registration form have been personally contacted to arrange on-site assistance where necessary.

Below are some important considerations to have in mind about a selected group of venues: 

• Cankarjev Dom: most of the rooms used at this venue are wheelchair accessible. 

The exception being the Lili Novy Glass Hall (where one workshop and the Sanctuary Space will happen) which is only accessible via narrow stairs. Should you require any assistance, please let us know at the Info Desk and we will support to the best of our ability.
The Gallus Hall for the plenaries has accessible balcony areas; however, access to the stalls involves steps. 

• Academy of Music: the entrance has a small step. However,  both an elevator and stairs are available to access all spaces.
  
• Faculty of Pharmacy: 
  • The P1 Room is accessible to the top section of the seating stand.
  • The PD Room is accessible to the lower section of the seating stand.
    
• Fužinski Grad: the courtyard is stone-paved with slightly uneven surfaces. The surrounding outdoor park area is also uneven.
  
• Križanke Theatre has a stone atrium entrance with slight unevenness. A dedicated area inside the venue will be available for guests with accessibility needs.
• Križanke Church has a few steps in the entrance to the building.  

What are the Hearth Summit web platform and mobile app?

The web platform and the mobile app offer attendees access to all the information they need to prepare before attending the Summit and to make the most out of their experience while in Ljubljana. 

Through the two platforms attendees will have access to the full event agenda and be able to register for any of the Labs and Workshops taking place each day. 

Other of the web and app features include: 

• Essential On-Site information
• Directory of speakers and artists
• Directory of the Arts Program
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Venues floor plans and locations
• Daily video recaps
• Attendee directory
• Plenary sessions’ live streams
• Plenary sessions’ recordings

While the web platform and the mobile app offer attendees access to same information and features, the mobile app allows attendees to receive the live notifications and reminders we will be sending out throughout the duration of the Summit. 

It will also provide easier access to the agenda, links, and venues to those who prefer to get their content straight from the app!

You can download the mobile version here for Android devices and here for iOS devices.

Can children come to the Hearth Summit?

The Hearth Summit does not provide childcare assistance. If you are looking for childcare services in Ljubljana, in this document, you will find a list of childcare services, play centers, and fun activities for kids to do in Ljubljana, as well as a list of summer camps in Europe during and after the Summit. 

As for children attending as regular attendees, the speaking sessions and related smaller group offerings are not considered suitable for children in general. We define children as under-16, so if any young over the age of 16 is interested in participating, while accompanied by a responsible adult, please contact us to explore the options.

Can I give my in-person attendance ticket to someone else if I cannot attend?

The Hearth Summit is an invitation only event, and therefore, if you are not able to attend, we’ll ask that you let us know so that we are aware and can cancel your ticket in advance.

What sessions require registration?

Sessions that display a “register” button next to them require registration in order to secure a place. These sessions are the Labs and Workshops taking place on June 18, 19 and 20 at the same time but in different venues. Therefore you cannot register for more than one session taking place at the same time. You must choose one for each day. 

• June 18 from 14:30 to 16:00: 8 Immersive Labs and 8 Arts Labs
• June 19 from 14:30 to 16:30: 7 Experiential Workshops
• June 20 from 8:00 to 9:30: 7 Immersive Labs and 7 Arts Labs
  

How do I register for a workshop?

As part of the Hearth Summit conference and arts program, you will be able to take part in different Immersive and Arts Labs as well as Experiential Workshops. These types of sessions are the only ones that require registration.

To register for a Workshop or a Lab, you must access the Agenda section of the mobile or web app and click on the “Register” button next to the name of the session. 

The labs and workshops will take place during the same slot of time but in different venues, therefore you cannot register for more than one session taking place at the same time.

The register button will change to “Registered” in a darker color to indicate that you have successfully registered for a session. Under the button, the available capacity for the sessions will be displayed. 

Once done, the workshops you have registered for will show up in your personal “My Agenda” tab. 

The labs and workshops will take place during the same slot of time but in different venues, therefore you cannot register for more than one session taking place at the same time. You must choose one for each day. 

• June 18 from 14:30 to 16:00: 8 Immersive Labs and 8 Arts Labs
• June 19 from 14:30 to 16:30: 7 Experiential Workshops
• June 20 from 8:00 to 9:30: 7 Immersive Labs and 7 Arts Labs

It is important that you know that the QR code in your mobile app and your badge will be scanned at the entrance of each workshop and that the registration for workshops will close half an hour before the start of the workshops.

Is there a deadline to register for the workshops?

The registration for workshops will close half an hour before the start of the workshops.

How do I prepare in terms of Travel and Lodging?

All information on how to prepare can be found on The Wellbeing Project’s website under “How to Prepare” for the Hearth Summit section.

For Lodging: you can view a list of our recommended accommodations by clicking here. Once registered, delegates will have access to a list of accommodations with applicable discount codes and preferential rates through the confirmation email.

For Travel: The Wellbeing Project is working with Nomago, a local Slovenian travel agency, to handle the travel and accommodation of its team, speakers, artists and grantees. If you wish to contact them for any personal support to coordinate your trip, including accommodation and flights, please contact Tanja Golob for more information and a quote at tanja.golob@nomago.si.

Is travel insurance offered?

The Wellbeing Project will provide travel insurance only for attendees whose travel is covered. Coverage applies from departure to return.

However, attendees whose travel is not supported by The Wellbeing Project, must arrange their own travel insurance. It is highly recommended to select policies that include coverage for unexpected disruptions.

Is there any health restriction to travel to Slovenia?

Travelers to Slovenia face no specific health restrictions.

Vaccinations: Slovenia does not require immunizations, as the country presents no significant health risks.

Over-the-counter medications: common remedies for minor ailments are available at Slovenian pharmacies, including 24-hour services in larger cities. For comprehensive details, please click here.

Is there assistance for the Visa or ETIAS application?

The Wellbeing Project will assist by providing supporting documentation or invitation letters for visa applications. However, attendees are responsible for arranging visa appointments, submitting applications, and meeting embassy or consular requirements. Please note that:

• The Wellbeing Project will not reimburse visa-related and ETIAS-related expenses, except in specific cases.
• For Slovenian embassy and consulate details, please visit this page.
• The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is anticipated to take effect in early 2025. Attendees may need to apply based on nationality and will need to secure ETIAS authorization no later than 30 days before traveling to Ljubljana. For more information, please visit this page.

What should I pack? (Attire, and more)

As the Hearth Summit will take place in more than one venue and encourages time outdoors, attendees will be moving between locations and participating in various outdoor activities throughout the day.

All Summit venues are within a 5–20 minute walk, so comfortable clothing and shoes are a must. 

Casual attire is recommended, and since it will be summer in Ljubljana, we also recommend packing lightweight clothing.

Morning and afternoons can be warm and sunny, so we recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection. 

Evenings can get a bit cooler, so we also recommend you bring a light jacket or sweater.

For good measure, a small umbrella or a rain jacket for the rain is recommended as well. 

You can check the weather forecast for June in Ljubljana here.

Here’s the checklist:

• Light summer clothing (T-shirts, dresses, light pants).
• Light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection.
• Small umbrella or a rain jacket.
• Comfortable shoes
• ID and/or passport
• Printed/digital travel ticket

Who is attending the Hearth Summit?

The Hearth Summit will bring together the entire social sector spectrum to advance individual and collective wellbeing for those working on the front lines of social change.

We’re gathering a vibrant, diverse mix: 

• Across regions – Asia & the Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East 
• Across generations – youth voices, elders, and everyone in between  
• Across sectors – education, philanthropy, health, activism, business, government, the arts, and more. 

We recognize that the number of the Hearth Summit in-person attendees doesn’t represent even a fraction of the vast body of changemakers working toward a better world. And yet, we believe that the right constellation of these hearts and minds is more than enough to continue reshaping our collective story—to spark a hopeful narrative that reawakens a felt sense of connection: to ourselves, to one another, and to the natural world.

Community Encounters

Every conversation, encounter, and experience at the Hearth Summit will be guided by the lens of Ecological Belonging—a living reminder that we are not separate from the Earth, or from one another. This lens invites us to ask not only how we want to live together, but also how we want to be in relationship—with land, and with life itself. Not as a theory, but as a daily, embodied practice.

Belonging begins with connection, and connection becomes possible through closeness. Thus, the Hearth Summit weaves it all together and as part of the program we will have curated experiences that are purely based on engaging with the global Wellbeing Community present at the Hearth.  We will have Collective Activations, Family Circles touchpoints, the Hearth Feast, and more. 

What are the Family Circles?

Family Circles are human-sized, intentionally curated groups of up to 20 attendees, designed to offer a sense of connection, reflection, and support within the larger Summit experience. Bringing together people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, these circles serve as a steady anchor—a space for deeper relationship, shared insight, and collective integration.

Each participant will be welcomed into a Family Circle before the Summit begins, ensuring that no one arrives alone and everyone feels grounded and accompanied throughout the journey.

Family Circles will meet every day as part of the Summit program. And every circle will be gently held by a Family Head, who will offer light guidance and care during key moments, help navigate and facilitate the group’s overall interactions, and share important updates along the way. Also, each circle will have their own WhatsApp group as a direct communication channel.

What is the Hearth Feast?

The Hearth Feast is more than just a meal, it is inspired by the ancestral tradition of gathering around a table to share food, time, and stories. At its heart, it is an invitation to remember our deep interconnectedness with ourselves, our communities, and the Earth. Rooted in the principles of Ecological Belonging, the Hearth Feast offers a warm and thoughtfully crafted setting that nurtures presence, connection, and a shared sense of care for the planet.

As part of the Summit, all attendees will be invited on the night of June 18th to take part in a Hearth Feast — a seated dinner held in one of four of Ljubljana’s most iconic venues: Ljubljana Castle, Grand Hotel Union, Cankarjev Dom, or MGLC Švicarija.

Each table will be guided by a host, who will offer thoughtful questions and prompts to spark meaningful conversation. These shared moments are designed to cultivate reflection, deepen community, and nourish both body and spirit.

What are the Collective Movements?

The Collective Movements are intentional moments of celebration—designed to honor the power of coming together. They are a reminder that moving collectively is, in itself, a reason to celebrate: that we have gathered here, at this moment in time, for the Hearth Summit; that together, we are building the Wellbeing Movement—one ember at a time. And that even in the face of hardship—personal, societal, planetary—we continue to choose hope, and to be moved by it. 

Throughout the Summit, all 1,000 of us will come together in brief but powerful moments to mark these collective movements with presence, intention, playfulness and joy.

What other moments will be of Social Encounters?

As we step deeper into this architecture of belonging, we will be gently held by the turning of the season. The summer solstice—one of nature’s great thresholds—will mark our time together with quiet symbolism. It reminds us that we are part of a larger, universal cycle of life, and that transformation—whether personal, seasonal, or social—moves in spirals, not straight lines.

Among the many meaningful social encounters we will share, one of the most luminous will be the Solstice Ritual – A Dawn Procession. As the sun reaches its peak and begins its slow descent, we will gather in the early hours to walk together in stillness and intention—welcoming the light, honoring transition, and witnessing the passage of time as a community.

This will be more than a ritual—it will be a moment of pause and presence, a collective honoring of what has been stirred, and a quiet planting of what will continue to grow.

When our in-person experience begins to come to a close, each of us will return home carrying a spark from the collective Hearth—a fire to illuminate our gestures, our words, and the ways in which we choose to lead and live.

How to experience the Hearth Summit virtually?

The three plenary sessions (June 18th, 19th, and 20th) will be live-streamed and accessible through the mobile app and the web platform.

Plenary session 1: June 18th from 9.30 to 12 pm CET

Plenary session 2: June 19th from 9.30 to 12 pm CET

Plenary session 3: June 20th from 10 to 12 pm CET

The recording of each of the plenary sessions will be available on the same day through the “Video Recordings” section of both, the Mobile and Web app.

What can I expect in terms of content and format?

Spanning four days, the Hearth Summit 2025 program has been intentionally designed as an immersive journey that blends learning, reflection, creativity, and community-building across a variety of formats and group sizes. Participants will engage through large plenary gatherings, intimate workshops, hands-on labs, and multi-sensory arts experiences, all curated to foster cross-disciplinary approaches to transformation and invite a multiplicity of perspectives and modalities.

Throughout the days, delegates will explore and reflect on the Summit’s key topics, all woven and seen through the lens of Ecological Belonging. 

The speakers and artists will explore the healing and transformative power of the arts, trace the profound interconnection between humans and nature, and dive into how a deeply embedded culture of wellbeing and belonging can alter and inform our approach to driving positive systemic change. 

Each day will begin and end in collective rhythm—through collective movements, and curated circles designed to foster connection, reflection, and grounding. These moments will create coherence among the many threads, offering space to arrive fully, digest meaning, and build relationships that carry beyond the event.

Who are the speakers and artists that will participate in the summit?

You can find the lists of speakers and artists that will participate in the Summit in the “Speakers and Artists Directory” section of the app and in the Hearth Summit Speakers and Artists pages.  

What can I expect from the conference program?

The Hearth Summit 2025 will offer a rich, multi-layered program designed to ignite reflection, inspire action, and foster connection at every level. Participants will engage through a range of formats, from large plenary gatherings and experiential workshops to smaller immersive labs and arts-based sessions that invite them to move beyond theory and into embodied practice.

Each day will begin with a plenary session weaving storytelling, artistic expression, and dialogue, creating a shared rhythm of listening and reflection. These sessions will open space for exploring the complex challenges we face and set the tone for the day’s exploration.

Throughout the Summit, participants will engage with topics such as Ecological Belonging, Collective Healing, Regenerative Leadership, Intergenerational Justice, AI and Humanity, and Systems Transformation—approached through multidisciplinary, holistic, and scientific lenses.

The program holds a collective call: to move beyond fragmentation and toward shared grounding. Participants will leave with tools for collaborative leadership, conflict transformation, and regeneration, along with a renewed sense of possibility and shared commitment to the work ahead.

What can I expect from the arts program?

A prestigious and comprehensive visual and performing arts program will once again invite attendees to embark on a transformative creative journey together. The program will include newly commissioned works by renowned international artists, along with music, theatre, and dance performances, multi-disciplinary interactive experiences, and workshops, all integrated both inside and outside the Summit sessions. 

Immersive artworks will take attendees on an emotional and interactive journey to connect deeply with themselves, collectively, and with the natural world, while cultivating a sense of shared purpose and community through the arts.

Can I suggest topics, themes, issue areas, or speakers, facilitators, and moderators for inclusion in the program?

As part of our commitment to co-creation, we welcomed the input of our wider community and received suggestions for content inclusion that align with the Hearth Summit. 

Fortunately, our conference program is already curated and ready for you to enjoy.

Can I film and take photographs during the sessions?

Photos and videos for personal or social media purposes are allowed and encouraged. Streaming sessions are not allowed. The plenary sessions will be made available online after the Summit. 

Should I consider any hashtags when posting?

When posting on social media, please tag #HearthSummit and The Wellbeing Project under #HearthSummit2025 #GlobalHearthSummit2025 #GlobalHearthSummit #HearthSummitGlobalEdition #HSG2025

Will I be filmed or have my photograph taken during the sessions?

A professional film crew will be present throughout The Wellbeing Summit. Upon registration, delegates must agree to the following statement: 

When registering to attend in person for the global Hearth Summit, you authorised The Wellbeing Project, The Wellbeing Project’s agents, successors, assigns and designees to record your name, likeness, image, voice, sound effects, interview and performance on film, tape or otherwise, edit such recording as The Wellbeing Project may desire, and incorporate such recording into a film, any versions of a film, and related materials thereof, including, but not limited to, promotion and advertising materials. The Wellbeing Project shall retain final control over the film and photos and may use them in all markets, manner, formats and media/social media in perpetuity.

I AM INTERESTED IN PARTNERSHIP OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. WHO SHOULD I SPEAK TO?

Please contact Dana Preston, Development and Partnerships Lead, at dana@wellbeing-project.org.

I AM A MEDIA PROFESSIONAL OR A JOURNALIST, AND I WOULD LIKE TO COVER THE HEARTH SUMMIT. IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Please contact our Storytelling Team, at media@wellbeing-project.org.

If you have not found the answer to your question in these FAQs, please contact our Community Management Team, at contact@hearth-summit.com, and we’ll happily get back to you.

Emergency Services Number

Dial 112, the common European emergency number, for immediate assistance from an ambulance, fire department, or rescue services.

Police Assistance

Dial 113 for immediate assistance from the police. 

For non-urgent police matters, you can contact the Ljubljana Police Department at +386 1 428 40 00 or by visiting their website at ​Policija.

The nearest Ljubljana Police Station to the Homebase at Cankarjev Dom is located at Trdinova ulica 10, 1000. See on Google Maps.

If your documents get stolen or lost, you can contact your country’s diplomatic or consular mission for assistance.

Medical Emergency Department

The nearest emergency room to the Homebase at Cankarjev Dom is located at the Ljubljana University Medical Centre. Address: 22a Bohoričeva Street. See on Google Maps.

You can visit their website for further information at UKC.

If you need to contact an ambulance or in case of any medical emergency, please dial 112 immediately.

Are Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging being considered?

We are excited about the conversations and experiences that are possible when we are brought together and hosted in all our rich diversity.  These are the spaces that inspire, open us to new ways of thinking, hold us in honest conversations, and build the relationships that make true social change possible.  The Hearth Summit is weaving the gathering with this spirit and taking this into account across our overall program, the experiences, the way we connect the local and the global, the speakers, the artists, and the attendees.  We are dedicating significant resources to ensure access and inclusion to the Hearth Summit and other related programming.  Most of all, and with humility, we recognize that this is a learning journey and we continue to deepen our understanding of how to do this well. 

Is there a Sustainability Plan for the Hearth Summit?

Building on the foundation set in our 2022 Sustainability Plan and Report, sustainability will once again be at the heart of our strategy for 2025. We have developed a sustainability plan which includes a detailed sustainability footprint audit, creative and innovative solutions to reduce our negative impact, and a reporting process which includes carbon, circularity and social footprints. 

Among the many sustainability practices we strive to implement, we are committed to minimizing the use of plastic and paper, reducing waste wherever possible, and using our media channels to promote and integrate sustainable social initiatives.

While we recognize that net zero may not be feasible for our event, our goal is to accurately measure our carbon impact and transparently report on our actions and results as well as compensate for our carbon footprint. 

In 2022, we introduced a social sustainability initiative aimed at compensating for the Summit’s  environmental impact. We invited a renowned social change leader, a pioneer in sustainability, to be part of one of our programs dedicated to supporting changemakers on their journey towards personal wellbeing.This year we look forward to continue implementing social sustainability initiatives of this nature and applying impactful strategies that foster meaningful and long-lasting change.

Has there been a Co-Creation Process?

The Wellbeing Project is a co-created project and we are dedicated to continuing the co-creative process for the design and implementation of the Hearth Summit.  We see co-creation as a form of collaborative innovation: ideas are shared and improved together.  This sharing of ideas can take many shapes and forms, but all with the goal of acquiring a deeper collective understanding, through two-way, open and honest dialogue. We have built the Summit through engaging with the communities of the Project and it remains a work in progress.  In addition to our co-creator institutions, partners and community members, we are glad to invite everyone to help us create the Hearth Summit. If you have anything you would like to contribute, please write to us at contact@hearth-summit.org

Is there a Code of Conduct?

The Hearth Summit is committed to an environment free of harassment, discrimination, and threatening or disrespectful behavior. It is important to us that all attendees are able to participate fully in our programming. We will not tolerate harassment in any form at our events. We reserve the right to remove any person who violates our Code of Conduct from attending current or future events, and to cancel an individual’s registration without refund.
If you experience or witness what you feel is harassment or inappropriate behavior at the Summit, please report it immediately to contact@hearth-summit.org

Do You Have Any Other Question?

If you have not found the answer to your question in these FAQs, please contact our Community Management Team, at contact@hearth-summit.com, and we’ll happily get back to you.