4. 12. 2025 | EUTI, Peace and security, PR
On 3 and 4 December 2025, Jable Castle hosted participants from across Europe for the first training delivered under the European Union Training Initiative. Organised by the Centre for European Perspective, the course focused on the Foundations of Project Management in Civilian Crisis Management and brought together both pre-mission personnel and experts already deployed in the field.
Over two intensive days, participants explored how project management directly contributes to mission success. The training opened with an introduction to the project mindset and the specific ecosystem of civilian missions, helping participants distinguish between projects and routine operations. They worked through the full project lifecycle, learned how to define project success using SMART objectives, and gained practical tools for setting clear goals and scope.
A strong focus was placed on planning and implementation. Sessions covered how to structure project tasks, allocate resources and budgets, manage timelines, identify and mitigate risks, and monitor progress through effective reporting. Horizontal principles, including human rights, gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, were also integrated into the project framework, alongside the use of the Logical Framework approach.
The heart of the training was the hands-on capstone exercise. Working in groups on a mission-based scenario, participants developed their own project charter, which they refined, presented and discussed together. Through this practical work, they strengthened key skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
The final sessions focused on best practices and real-life application in mission environments. Participants reflected on common challenges, learned how to motivate teams and stakeholders, and created individual plans for applying newly acquired project management skills in their next deployment.
With highly engaged and motivated participants, the training days passed quickly. Participants left Jable Castle equipped with a strong foundation in project management and a practical toolkit they can immediately use in civilian crisis management missions.
25. 11. 2025 | EUTI, Peace and security, PR
The Centre for European Perspective and the European Union Training Initiative took part in the European Security and Defence College’s Annual Training and Education Conference, held over two days at the historic Egmont Palace in Brussels.
This year’s conference focused on practical and innovative ways to enhance the effectiveness of the training cycle within the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy. Participants worked through each key stage of the EU training loop — Training Needs, Standardisation & Adaptation, Innovation & Methodology, and Evaluation & Uptake — through a series of appetiser discussions and targeted breakout groups.
Representatives of the Centre for European Perspective and the European Union Training Initiative contributed to the appetiser discussion on Standardisation & Adaptation and led one of the breakout groups within this segment. Their session explored the crucial balance between standardised curricula and the necessary flexibility or adjustability of training formats. The discussion highlighted the importance of aligning training with real operational contexts while maintaining coherence across the broader EU framework.
Beyond the working sessions, the conference served as an excellent platform to exchange best practices, discuss emerging needs, and strengthen cooperation with partners from across Europe. The atmosphere encouraged open dialogue and the sharing of forward-looking ideas that will contribute to further improving training standards at the EU level.
The Centre for European Perspective and the European Union Training Initiative extend their appreciation to the European Security and Defence College for organising a well-structured and engaging conference, and for fostering a community dedicated to enhancing the quality and impact of EU training.
22. 10. 2025 | EUTI, PR
The Centre for European Perspective (CEP), under the auspices of EUTI – European Union Training Initiative, is proud to announce the first EUTI training and the start of the project’s main activities!
This pre-mission specialised training on the Foundations of Project Management in Civilian Crisis Management Missions addresses a key challenge faced by experts deployed in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions: turning strategic objectives into concrete, measurable results in complex, multicultural environments.
Projects in CSDP missions often take the form of capacity-building programmes, local partnership initiatives, training schemes, or community security projects. Yet, many deployed experts are not professional project managers. They must learn to define clear objectives, navigate diverse institutional frameworks, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, and adapt to rapidly changing conditions on the ground.
This course on the foundations of project management in civilian crisis management addresses the need by equipping soon-to-be-deployed professionals with a practical project management mindset, rather than a rigid theoretical and methodological approach. It introduces participants to the core principles, tools, and habits that enable successful project initiation, planning, and delivery in dynamic operational settings. By grounding learning in realistic mission scenarios and emphasising collaboration across functional silos, the training enhances participants’ ability to manage limited resources, anticipate risks, and communicate effectively within mission structures and the broader multicultural environment to which they professionally belong.
Ultimately, the course contributes to strengthening the effectiveness, accountability, and sustainability of EU civilian crisis management operations—key priorities under the EU Civilian CSDP Compact and the Strategic Compass.
Training date: 3 & 4 December 2025
Training location: Jable Castle, Mengeš, Slovenia
Find the full call for applications here: EUTI Call for Applications – Foundations of Project Management_December 2025
Applications for the Foundations of Project Management in Civilian Crisis Management Missions are open until 9 November 2025.
Interested applicants can register through an online application form, accessible here.
