18. 9. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
2-25 October 2024, online – We are finalising the activities to kick off the sixth three-week mentorship under the auspices of the project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’, which will take place online. Joining the mentors from Postojna are representatives of Pechenizka hromada’s department of economic development. Mentors from Postojna will share their experience and good practice on project preparation, rural tourism development and vocational and adult education.
The visit is one of a kind as it will take place entirely online due to the closeness of the Pechenizka hromada (Kharkiv oblast) to the front line and will conclude with a closing event on 26 October.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project 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’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
9. 9. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Strategic Communication
The European Digital Diplomacy Exchange (EDDE) successfully concluded its three-day advanced training from September 4 to September 6, 2024, at the historic Jable Castle in Mengeš, Slovenia. The training brought together 40 diplomats and communication professionals from across Europe and beyond to enhance their digital communication and strategic public diplomacy skills in an increasingly digital world.
The training, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), featured leading experts in digital diplomacy, technology, and communication strategy. Attendees were welcomed by Stephanie Sutton, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Public Diplomacy, followed by lectures from thought leaders, covering topics ranging from “Understanding One’s Digital Selfie in the Digital Society” to “Using AI to Strengthen Strategic Communications.” The interactive training included practical exercises such as podcast creation and crisis communication simulations, providing attendees with hands-on experience in leveraging digital tools to tackle modern diplomacy challenges.
The EDDE training, supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through development aid funds, reflects the continued commitment to equip diplomats with the skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape, counter disinformation, promote democracy, and engage citizens globally.
30. 8. 2024 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
This week, CEP Executive Director Ms Nina Čepon and Head of International Development Cooperation Department Ms Jelka Klemenc joined the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, for a meeting of Slovenian development cooperation institutions. They were joined by representatives from the Centre for Excellence in Finance (CEF), the Centre for International Cooperation and Development (CMSR), and ITF Enhancing Human Security.
Minister Fajon began by presenting the results of the OECD Development Assistance Committee peer review of Slovenia’s development cooperation and humanitarian aid. This peer review recognised Slovenia’s institutions as a comparative advantage and an example of good practice for other members of the OECD DAC. The main recommendations in this area were to reduce the number of partner countries in which Slovenia operates to choose fewer projects and to increase their value. Minister Fajon highlighted that implementing institutions play a vital role in implementing Slovenia’s commitments under the Development Strategy 2030, enhancing Slovenia’s reputation as a development partner and positively impacting the local population. She also emphasized the need to streamline projects and increase their impact, expressed her gratitude for successful cooperation, and pledged continued support, including easing administrative challenges.
CEP has been the official provider of Slovenia’s international development cooperation to Southeast European countries in the European Union accession process. Our activities follow Slovenia’s foreign policy priorities and objectives, ensuring our work benefits the beneficiary country.
Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia
25. 7. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
Članek v slovenskem jeziku najdete tu.
Kranj, 24 July 2024 — The three-week mentorship visit of the Ukrainian municipality of Novovolynsk concluded today in the City of Kranj. The event marked the culmination of three weeks of collaboration and experience exchange between the two municipalities.
City of Kranj Mayor Matjaž Rakovec emphasized in his opening speech that the first cooperation between Kranj and Ukraine dates back to 2021, stating: »City of Kranj had its first cooperation with Ukraine in 2021, together with the [now] ex-ambassador we set a statue of Taras Shevchenko, a Ukrainian poet, in the Avenue of Prešeren’s Contemporaries. Last year, together with the Ukrainian Embassy, Kranj hosted a Ukrainian cultural event for the Independence Day of Ukraine. The mentorship program with Novovolynsk is another example of good cooperation – an aim to progress and develop. This programme was an opportunity to gain new perspectives and skills. Dear mentees, Inna and Anatolii, I hope the new knowledge will help you achieve your goals. Thank you for your dedicated work and good cooperation. Let the future be bright.«
The municipality of Novovolynsk participated in the event online. The Mayor of Novovolynsk, Borys Karpus, visited Kranj on July 10 and signed a mentorship cooperation protocol with Mayor Rakovec. He thanked the City of Kranj and everyone involved in organizing the visit for their hospitality and for providing opportunities for cooperation and development.
On behalf of the visit organizer, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), Nina Čepon, CEP Executive Director, addressed the gathering, highlighting that local communities in Ukraine are key players in recovery and reconstruction. She also emphasized Slovenia’s thematic advantage from our experience in post-war recovery, local development, and the EU accession process, as well as the extensive food practice of the City of Kranj.
Ukrainian mentees then presented their three-week visit and the project plans prepared during the visit. Inna Vykhor, a deputy of the Novovolynsk City Council and chair of the permanent committee on education, science, culture, youth, sports, and information policy, presented the NovoHUB project concept. This project focuses on vocational, business, and educational training, reflecting a shift in their project focus after visiting Kovačnica, BSC Kranj, and the School Centre Kranj. The main objective of the project is to ensure a qualified and sufficient labour force, securing jobs for citizens and long-term economic growth of Novovolynsk. The purpose is to renovate vacant buildings to introduce new vocational, business, and educational programs. The target group includes residents, internally displaced persons, redundant coal mine workers, and people from Donetsk. The project aims to address the challenges of a lack of skilled labour force for local enterprises, access to quality and safe education for internally displaced persons, and the lack of a business support ecosystem. Anatolii Dudik, Chief Specialist of the Department for Organizing the Provision of Administrative Services at the Center for Administrative Services of the Executive Committee of the Novovolynsk City Council, presented the Novo Open app. This app focuses on the digitalization of city information, increasing digital citizen participation in local development, and presenting Novovolynsk to tourists. The project aims to provide free, open, and participative access to information and services in Novovolynsk. Mentors from the City of Kranj, Maja Šavs and Mojca Finc, presented the mentorship aspect and provided more information about the work of City of Kranj and Kranj’s institutions involved in the mentorship.
In the concluding part, Ambassador Tomaž Mencin, National Coordinator for the reconstruction of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, greeted the gathering. He emphasized that the decentralization reform in Ukraine is crucial and progressing well, focusing on empowering local municipalities, and stated that Slovenia agrees with the European Union’s request for financial instruments to support decentralized governance in Ukraine. Natalia Markevych Pritsa, Deputy Head of Mission at the Ukrainian Embassy in Slovenia, expressed gratitude to Slovenia for its role in the reconstruction process and hope for the project’s success. Mag Blaž Masle, Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Slovenian Embassy in Kyiv, praised the good cooperation between Slovenia and Ukraine and confirmed the embassy’s readiness to assist further.
Following the visit, CEP activities will focus on areas identified as needing additional attention. Webinars will involve more Novovolynsk municipality employees. In the next steps, CEP will provide concrete support in implementing the local reconstruction and development plan of Novovolynsk.
A heartfelt thank you for enriching the mentorship programme goes to the City of Kranj, Kovačnica Coworking, BSC Kranj, Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska Biotehniški center Naklo, Iskraemeco, Vincenc Draksler Foundation, School Centre Kranj, Centre of Sustainable Mobility Kranj, TIC Kranj, and more.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project 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’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
10. 7. 2024 | PR, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
10 July 2024, Kranj – Today, we began the fifth three-week mentorship of 2024 in the City of Kranj under the auspices of the project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’.
The event was opened by the Mayor of City of Kranj, Mr Matjaž Rakovec, who welcomed Mr Borys Karpus, Mayor of Novovolynsk urban hromada and Ms Inna Vykhor, Deputy of the Novovolynsk City Council, Chairman of the Committee on Education, Science, Youth, Sports and Information Policy. Joining the mentorship online is Mr Anatolii Dudik, Chief Specialist of the Department of Organization of Administrative Services Provision of the Executive Committee of Novovolynsk City Council. Mayor of Novovolynsk, Mr Karpus expressed his hope for a successful mentorship and noted that Kranj and Novovolynsk are connected through many interests, not only through the Ukraine Festival held last year. Following was a presentation by Ms Jelka Klemenc, CEP’s project lead, who presented the project and its objectives.
We were also happy to witness Mayor Rakovec and Mayor Karpus who signed the protocol of mentorship between Kranj and Novovolynsk, which will cover topics such as project development & fund absorption, education and strengthening of vocational education, city digitalization, business development, and topics related to the EU enlargement process on the local level.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project 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’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
