Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

1. 12. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Over the past two weeks, Slovenska Bistrica hosted representatives of Zarichne Municipality as part of a mentorship visit within the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme. The visit was organised by the Centre for European Perspective under the auspices of Bridges of Trust.

The mentorship programme enabled the Ukrainian delegation to gain first-hand insight into best practices of Slovenian local governance, public services, and local economic development. The focus was on practical solutions and transferable approaches that can support the preparation and implementation of development projects in Zarichne Municipality.

During their stay, the delegation visited several institutions and companies in Slovenska Bistrica:

  • Komunala Slovenska Bistrica – presentations on digitalisation of public services, sustainable utility management, and innovative approaches to citizen engagement;

  • Impol d.o.o. – an overview of modern aluminium production, advanced manufacturing processes, and the role of industry in local economic resilience;

  • Slovenska Bistrica Agricultural Cooperative – insights into cooperative organisation, support mechanisms for local farmers, and strengthening local food systems;

  • Dom dr. Jožeta Potrča Poljčane – examples of good practices in social care, senior inclusion, and community-based services.

These visits were complemented by in-depth discussions with practitioners, allowing participants to reflect on how similar models could be adapted to the Ukrainian local context.

In addition to field visits, the programme included targeted workshops on project planning, funding opportunities, and implementation strategies. Through guided sessions, participants developed concrete ideas for future cooperation between Slovenska Bistrica and Zarichne, with an emphasis on sustainable local development and post-war recovery needs.

The mentorship visit concluded with the formal signing of a cooperation agreement by the mayors Bohdan Kvachuk (Zarichne) and Dr Ivan Žagar (Slovenska Bistrica). The agreement confirms a shared commitment to continued knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, and long-term municipal partnership, marking an important step toward stronger international cooperation at the local level.

The activities were supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia within the framework of Slovenian Aid, and implemented in cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.

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First set of workshops in Montenegro successfully concluded

First set of workshops in Montenegro successfully concluded

28. 11. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Our programme in Montenegro has come to a close after intensive workshops with police units and prosecutors across the country. Sessions were held in Bijelo Polje, followed by workshops in Podgorica for the central and southern regions.

Yesterday, we also held a focused session with the working group preparing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Montenegrin police, an important step toward strengthening institutional processes.

Participants explored key elements of effective financial investigations, including:
🔹 the Slovenian legislative framework (ZOPNI) and prosecutorial leadership
🔹 early identification of financial elements in police work
🔹 practical case-based insights and police–prosecution cooperation
🔹 challenges in practice and priorities for 2026

The activities were carried out within the project “Strengthening capacities in the field of financial investigations in Montenegro (2025/2026)”, implemented with the support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Slovenian Ministry of Interior.

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Upcoming workshops in Montenegro: Strengthening capacities for financial investigations

Upcoming workshops in Montenegro: Strengthening capacities for financial investigations

20. 11. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Next week, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) is launching the first set of workshops in Montenegro as part of the project “Strengthening the capacities for financial investigations in Montenegro.” The workshops will take place on 26 November in Bijelo Polje and on 27 November in Podgorica, bringing together police officers and prosecutors from regional centres across the country.

Building on the findings of the needs analysis and the successful October study visit to Slovenia, the workshops will focus on strengthening the operational and institutional capacities of Montenegrin authorities involved in financial investigations. Participants and Slovenian experts will discuss:

  • good practices stemming from the Slovenian legislative framework (including ZOPNI),

  • the role of prosecutors in directing financial investigations,

  • practical case analysis based on real Slovenian investigations, with emphasis on overcoming bottlenecks,

    • early detection of financial elements in criminal cases and operational coordination between police and prosecution,

    • inter-institutional cooperation and shared challenges within the Montenegrin context.

    Each workshop includes a dedicated discussion session to identify current obstacles and training needs for 2026. A specialised working group will also convene in Podgorica to advance the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for financial investigations, a key next step of the project.

    These activities mark another important milestone in strengthening professional expertise and cooperation between Montenegrin institutions in the fight against organised crime, corruption, and money laundering.

    The project is implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) with the support of the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through Slovenian Aid & Partnerships, in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia.

    INVITATION – Ukrainian-Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere (10 Dec 2025, 10:00 CET)

    INVITATION – Ukrainian-Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere (10 Dec 2025, 10:00 CET)

    13. 11. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

    We kindly invite you to the

    Ukrainian–Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere

     

    taking place on 10th December 2025 from 10:00–13:00 (CET)

     

    Location: ON-SITE – Jable Castle, Grajska cesta 1, 1234 Loka pri Mengšu (Slovenia) / ONLINE

     

    The event is held under the auspices of the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine Programme implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SPIRIT, Slovenian Public Agency for Investments, Entrepreneurship and Internationalisation.

     

    The event will bring together companies from Ukraine and Slovenia (both on-site and online), along with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An additional side programme for Ukrainian delegations will be communicated shortly.

     

     Please, register online here: REGISTRATION FORM (Registration deadline: 1 Dec 2025)

      

    For any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us:

    Mr Oleg Rogoza, Project Manager (CEP), [email protected]

    Ms Nuša Blatnik, Project Assistant (CEP), [email protected]

     

    QUICK CONCEPT – PARTNERSHIPS FOR COOPERATION AND RECOVERY PROJECTS

    The ongoing transformation of the energy sector in Europe, coupled with the urgent need for reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, creates a unique opportunity for cross-border cooperation. Slovenia, as an EU member with strong expertise in renewable energy, energy efficiency, green transition, and sustainable infrastructure, can offer valuable partnerships to Ukrainian companies seeking technological know-how, investment support, and joint participation in EU- or Energy Community–financed projects.
    For Ukrainian energy enterprises and technology providers, this conference offers opportunities for joint project development that contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and integration into the European energy community, while for Slovenian companies, it offers an entry point into the Ukrainian market, access to European funding mechanisms for joint projects in the energy sphere in Ukraine.

    Event objectives
    • To facilitate partnerships between Ukrainian and Slovenian companies active in the energy sector and related industries;
    • To promote joint participation in EU- and Energy Community–financed projects, including green transition and recovery programs for Ukraine;
    • To inform participants about available financial and institutional support mechanisms in Slovenia and the EU;
    • To showcase innovative energy solutions, technologies, and services that can support Ukraine’s recovery and sustainable growth;
    • To create a long-term network for cooperation and project development in the energy sphere.

    Target audiences
    From Ukraine:
    • Energy companies, utilities, and grid operators;
    • Renewable energy developers (solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen);
    • Energy efficiency solution providers;
    • Engineering and technology firms;
    • Municipal energy agencies and project implementers.

    From Slovenia:
    • Companies in energy sector, incl. in renewable energy, smart grids, and clean technologies;
    • Consulting and engineering firms.

    Ukrainian companies are invited to present:
    • Their capabilities in the energy sector;
    • Partnership needs (technological, financial, or strategic);
    • Project ideas for which they seek Slovenian or EU partners.

    Slovenian companies are encouraged to:
    • Explore business opportunities in Ukraine’s energy recovery;
    • Identify reliable Ukrainian partners for EU-funded or bilateral projects;
    • Contribute to Europe’s green and resilient energy future through cooperation.

    Quick event timeline
    1. Opening of the event
    2. Keynote address
    3. Presentations on part of Ukrainian companies
    4. Presentations on part of Slovenian companies
    5. B2B (business-to-business opportunity)
    6. Networking lunch

    Upcoming mentorship visit of Municipality of Zarichne at the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica

    Upcoming mentorship visit of Municipality of Zarichne at the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica

    6. 11. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

    As part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, we are pleased to announce an upcoming mentorship visit of representatives from the Municipality of Zarichne (Ukraine) to the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica (Slovenia).

    The visit will take place from 19 to 28 November 2025. The main focus of the mentorship will be on public utilities, including water supply systems, waste management, road infrastructure, and sewerage. Additional topics will cover healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. The selected themes reflect the clearly defined needs and priorities of the Ukrainian partner municipality, identified during the previous phase of the project.

    The ‘Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine’ programme is funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships and implemented in partnership with ‘U-LEAD with Europe’.