Women Innovators in Slovenia - Farming Fact Sheet #066

Dobrote Dolenjske is a regional collective brand from Dolenjska, Slovenia, promoting local agriculture, food processing, and culinary tourism. Founded in 2012 by Špela Smuk, it supports over 700 local products, including in-house processed and repackaged goods, with a focus on quality, provenance, and sustainability. The organisation operates from Trebnje, with retail outlets in Ljubljana and Novo Mesto, and runs initiatives like a regional culinary map and youth education workshops. It plays a key role in rural development, employing disadvantaged individuals and enhancing regional identity. Recognised nationally and internationally, it has received awards from Gault&Millau and Agrobiznis. The brand is funded by the European Union and operates as a public interest organisation in agriculture and tourism.