Slovenian Association for Quality and Excellence (Slovensko združenje za kakovost in odličnost, SZKO) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental professional association that promotes and advances the culture of quality and excellence in Slovenia. Established in 1991 on the initiative of civil society, SZKO operates as a membership-based organization that brings together individuals and organizations from across sectors that apply systemic approaches to quality, organizational excellence, and sustainable development. Its purpose is to connect professionals, enable the transfer of domestic and international good practices, and support the practical implementation of quality and excellence principles in organizations and society at large.

Internationally, SZKO is involved in European cooperation as Slovenia’s national member organization of the European Organization for Quality (EOQ), contributing to work on quality competencies and professional certification. It is also a member of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and holds a license to deliver EFQM-related training in Slovenia.

A distinctive part of SZKO’s role is its involvement in certification and recognition activities linked to internationally recognized frameworks. Through EOQ-aligned schemes, SZKO is involved in the certification of personnel in quality-related professions, contributing to the harmonization and recognition of professional competencies at the European level. At the national level, SZKO is also responsible for assessing compliance with the requirements for the Slovenian Quality (SQ) mark, a national quality mark awarded to organizations that meet defined criteria, and for issuing SQ certificates based on these evaluations.

SZKO’s activities are supported by a defined governance and organizational structure that ensures transparency, professional oversight, and member involvement. The association is governed by its general assembly and managed through elected bodies, including a president, management board, supervisory board, and expert bodies. To address specific professional interests and emerging topics, SZKO operates thematic sections and working groups, which serve as platforms for focused expert exchange, project work, and the development of initiatives aligned with the association’s mission.

Alongside certification and governance activities, SZKO organizes conferences, seminars, training programs, study visits, and public discussions, and publishes professional content, including its journal Kakovost. Across all of its work, SZKO is guided by values including excellence, professionalism, cooperation, respect, integrity, and creativity, and focuses on promoting quality and excellence as part of broader efforts to support organizational development in Slovenia. For more information, please visit its official website.