Life Built on Transformation — Personal and Collective
I’m Matic Sopotnik, and my life’s work is about guiding transformation — whether in a person finding strength after crisis or in a city moving toward a sustainable future.
I’ve built my career at the intersection of law, diplomacy, and European project leadership. For over a decade, I’ve led initiatives that bring millions of euros of EU funding into sustainable urban mobility, green innovation, and cross-border cooperation.
But I’ve also walked through the kind of personal challenges that redefine everything: surviving cancer — twice — and overcoming the depths of PTSD. These experiences didn’t just change my perspective; they became the foundation for how I live, lead, and help others.
My Professional Path
I currently serve as Head of the Office for European Projects at the City of Ljubljana, where I lead a team dedicated to designing and implementing projects that shape a more sustainable and connected city.
Over the years, I’ve:
Secured and managed multi-million-euro EU grants
Led international partnerships across multiple sectors and countries
Designed mobility solutions that reduce emissions and improve quality of life for citizens
Trained teams and stakeholders to successfully navigate EU funding processes
Some of my most rewarding work has involved turning ambitious ideas into funded realities — projects that move from paper into streets, infrastructure, and policy changes that improve how people live and move.
My Personal Journey
The professional story is only half the truth. The other half is deeply personal.
Years ago, I faced my first cancer diagnosis. I survived — but then came the second, and with it, a new battle: PTSD, emotional exhaustion, and a loss of clarity about my future.
Through that darkness, I began to explore the practices that would not only help me heal, but rebuild a life with meaning:
Meditation to calm my mind and reconnect with the present
Gratitude to shift focus from loss to possibility
Manifestation and mindset work to set a vision for the future I wanted to live in
The simplest and best one - just talk to people
These weren’t abstract ideas for me — they were daily lifelines. Over time, they became core principles I now share with others.
Why I Do What I Do
Whether I’m helping a municipality design a groundbreaking mobility project or coaching someone through a personal reinvention, my approach is the same:
I believe transformation is possible — with the right tools, strategy, and mindset.
I believe resilience can be learned and strengthened.
I believe that how we move through crisis shapes not only our own lives but the communities we touch.
Today
Today, I work in two parallel but deeply connected spaces:
Sustainable Projects & EU Funding — helping organizations design, fund, and deliver high-impact, future-focused initiatives.
Transformation Coaching & Speaking — guiding individuals and professionals to rebuild after hardship, find clarity, and lead with purpose.
Both are about building something better — whether that’s a stronger inner foundation or a more sustainable city.
If you’re here for inspiration, tools, and guidance — welcome.
If you’re here to explore professional collaboration — welcome, too.
Because in the end, all transformation starts with the same first step: the decision to begin.