11. 3. 2019 | PR, WB6 Startup academy
A colorful group of representatives of incubators, accelerators, universities and other support institutions, which are working to improve the environment in which innovative business ideas emerge and are developed, gathered in Tirana on 7th and 8th of March. They represented all major players from the six Western Balkan countries. The Center for European Perspective (CEP) in cooperation with the German development agency GIZ from Sarajevo organized the first of the four workshops that will be held in the region this spring. A two-day interactive workshop took place in Tirana, where many positive and encouraging ideas were heard on the possibilities of cooperation, networking and thus the expansion of support for young entrepreneurs in each of the six Western Balkan countries. We are pleased that the participants were also welcomed by the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Podgorica, Milena Radenković, who emphasized the commitment of Slovenia to the region, youth and economic prosperity, and this project perfectly combines all three dimensions.
The main purpose of the workshop was to present to the actors of the supportive environment new and effective ways of encouraging, supporting and developing the entrepreneurial ideas that are developed in their environment. Three experienced experts were perfectly complemented by their diverse experience in sales, investment and the creation of a supportive environment. Slovenian experience was presented by Jakob Gajšek from the Ljubljana University Incubator, which provides the widest support to startups and young entrepreneurs who want to test their ideas in the economy.
Second workshop will be held in Nikšić, Montenegro, on March 28-29 and focused on pitching and fundraising skills of the startups.
Project is part of the activities that are through the Slovenia’s Development Cooperation financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language. 
6. 3. 2019 | Perspektive/Perspectives, PR
Discover our Perspectives, which is a compilation of policy papers and analytical pieces from various policy experts, academics and practitioners. We are grateful for their invaluable contributions.
Centre for European Perspective (CEP) has had a standing commitment to fostering diverse perspectives and exchange of views in the field of security, foreign policy and economy ever since its foundation. As we are entering an era of increased global instability and insecurity, the policy decisions we make today will impact the lives of our future generations. Prosperity, security, natural resources and freedom should not be taken for granted. Slovenia, as an international actor, needs to have a clear vision of the future it wants and it needs to be shrewd about pursuing policies which will bring that vision to life, the success of which much depends on external forces and trends.
It is therefore crucial that we recognize the challenges ahead as well as seize opportunities. Perspectives (Perspektive) offer just that – perspectives of developing global geopolitical, security and economic trends as well as specific policy recommendations on how to address them. They are meant to provoke critical thought and enhance discussions on these important issues which will shape our common future.
You are kindly invited to read our March 2019 edition and encouraged to contribute to Perspectives (Perspektive) in the future.
6. 3. 2019 | Macedonia - Finance, PR
The Centre of European Perspective was honored to welcome Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani at Jable Castle on his official visit to Slovenia.
He was welcomed by Program Director Andreja Dolničar Jeraj and CEP Executive Director Katja Geršak. The discussion revolved around cooperation between the Republic of Northern Macedonia and CEP. CEP is currently involved with the implementation of Slovenian Development Assistance to Northern Macedonia and is jointly working with multiple projects. Both sides also expressed certainty that the joint work on the accession of North Macedonia to the EU will be intensified in the future. We look forward to continue our fruitful cooperation.
1. 3. 2019 | Macedonia - Finance, PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
In the period 2019-2020 we continue the work which started in the last two years with Slovenian development support in the area of capacity building of North Macedonia for the implementation of financial investigations and confiscation of proceeds of crime and property of illegal origin.
In addition to fulfilling criteria for the EU membership, this is an important area for prevention of organised crime and functioning of role of law which constitute favorable business environment for economic development and foreign investments. With confiscations we prevent perpetrators of criminal offences to continue its criminal activities and offer a clear message that crime does not pay off.
Talks with North Macedonia stakeholders were conducted in Skopje between 25 and 27 February 2019 about details of activities to be implemented in the period 2019-2020 for improvements of the system of financial investigations.
The project is part of the program activities carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia / Police of the Republic of Slovenia and is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia from the funds for international development cooperation.
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language.
27. 2. 2019 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance, WB6 Startup academy
SUPPORTING STARTUPS AND YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS THIS YEAR CONTINUES – WB6 STARTUP ACADEMY
Youth and especially young entrepreneurs are a part of society that is usually bursting with energy, good ideas and positive attitude. We are missing more of such an approach in the Western Balkan countries that is why we have once more joined forces with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the German development agency GIZ. After four years of a bilateral cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and a three-year cooperation with Kosovo, last year’s program was for the very first time organized regionally, and included all six countries namely: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia. Due to excellent feedback and a rich exchange of experience among countries, we have contacted the regional office of GIZ based in Sarajevo that already has experience with regional startup workshops and joined forces in a rich program that will be organized in English. Four workshops will unfold in different cities and countries: Tirana (Albania), Nikšić (Montenegro), Pristina (Kosovo) and Ljubljana – Maribor (Slovenia), with an intensive mentoring program occurring between the activities. We named the overall program ‘Building the WB6 Unicorn’, and by doing so clearly indicated, that we firmly believe in excellent ideas in the region. We want to empower them and make sure, that they will take the lead globally.
Workshops were developed by experts with vast experiences and are therefore pretty intensive and very practically orientated. The size of the group is also suited to this type of work, as we have selected 2 best startups from each country that will cooperate in all of the planned activities. In addition, the focus point of the program is based on two dimensions – peer to peer learning and regional networking, as international cooperation is a skill that is essential for a global breakthrough of startups and their positioning on the international market.
The first workshop is intended for actors of the startup support environment (leaders of HUBs, accelerators, incubators), while the other three are intended for startups.
Project is part of the activities that are through the Slovenia’s Development Cooperation financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language.
