Ukraine - CEP

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’.

Break the Fake: Standing Together for Truth and Resilience in Europe’s Information Space

27. 10. 2025 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR, Regional cooperation, Strategic Communication, Ukraine

Ljubljana, October 24, 2025 – On Thursday, October 23, the House of the European Union in Ljubljana hosted Break the Fake, an event dedicated to strengthening resilience against disinformation and promoting cooperation between Slovenia, Ukraine, and European partners in defending truth and democratic values.

Organized by the NGO Platform for Development Projects “Priority” in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), the event brought together diplomats, experts, and civil society representatives to explore the human and societal impact of disinformation.

Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Petro Beshta, Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia; Ms. Petra Bezjak Cirman, Head of the Government Communication Office; and Ms. Nina Čepon, Executive Director of the Centre for European Perspective.

The programme featured an analysis of Russian propaganda strategies by disinformation expert Mr. Mykhaylo Dankanych, followed by the deeply moving personal testimony of Mr. Malik Yevgeniy, a former Ukrainian prisoner of war, who shared his experience of captivity and the psychological toll of propaganda.

In her address, CEP Executive Director Nina Čepon underlined that disinformation is not an abstract concept but a force that undermines trust, weakens social cohesion, and erodes democratic foundations. She highlighted CEP’s long-term engagement in strengthening Europe’s information resilience through partnership, education, and capacity building.

Through initiatives such as Countering Disinformation and Building Resilience in the Western Balkans and the European Digital Diplomacy Exchange (EDDE), CEP works with journalists, diplomats, and public officials to strengthen media literacy, build cross-sectoral cooperation, and promote communication grounded in trust and transparency. These programmes have also fostered close collaboration with Ukrainian partners, particularly since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Further demonstrating this partnership, CEP’s Slovenia Connects – Rebuild Ukraine initiative supports capacity building and good governance in Ukraine, focusing on empowering local and regional authorities in the country’s recovery and reconstruction process.

The event concluded with an open discussion on countering Russian propaganda and violations of international law.

As Ms. Čepon emphasized, resilience begins with truth, and the most effective response to disinformation lies in cooperation among institutions, media, educators, and citizens. Break the Fake served as a reminder that every verified story, every act of solidarity, and every informed conversation helps build a Europe that is resilient, united, and free.

Conclusion of Two Parallel TIPS4UA Internship Visits: Lenart and Velika Polana

6. 10. 2025 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

On Friday, 3 October, two intensive and inspiring internship visits concluded under the TIPS4UA initiative. The visits took place in parallel — with representatives from the Ukrainian municipality of Bibrka 🇺🇦 hosted by the Municipality of Lenart, and representatives from the Ukrainian municipality of Zymne 🇺🇦 hosted by the Municipality of Velika Polana.

Over the course of two weeks, the participants engaged in an active exchange of experience and knowledge, focusing on two key themes: waste management and cultural heritage protection. The internships aimed to strengthen local capacities, deepen cooperation between partner municipalities, and co-develop practical solutions for shared challenges.

Throughout the programme, participants:
• learned about good practices in waste management and saw local models in action,
• explored innovative approaches to cultural heritage preservation,
• visited local institutions such as primary schools, health centres, and youth centres,
• participated in cultural activities and community events,
• and enjoyed a study visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital.

These visits not only fostered valuable professional cooperation but also built lasting connections and mutual understanding between Slovenian and Ukrainian municipalities. The knowledge gained and relationships formed will continue to support sustainable local development and strengthen European solidarity in the years ahead.

The internship takes place under the auspices of the Centre for European Perspective Programme “Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine”, financed by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in partnership with TIPS4UA Programme, supported by the European Committee of the Regions and U-LEAD with Europe.

Drugi sestanek neformalne koordinacijske platforme akterjev RS za Ukrajino

27. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

Text in English here.

Grad Jable, 24. september 2025 – Drugi sestanek neformalne koordinacijske platforme akterjev Republike Slovenije, ki delujejo v Ukrajini na področju obnove in razvoja, je potekal pod okriljem programa Obnova Ukrajine. Sestanek je bil namenjen izmenjavi informacij, prepoznavanju sinergij in dogovoru o nadaljnjem sodelovanju med različnimi akterji, ki delujejo na terenu. Udeleženci so pregledali dosedanje aktivnosti, predstavili nove pobude in razpravljali o najboljših pristopih za povečanje učinka prizadevanj RS v Ukrajini.

Tri ključne ugotovitve sestanka so bile:

Večja osredotočenost naporov RS v Ukrajini – člani platforme so poudarili, da bi strateška koordinacija in bolj osredotočene aktivnosti omogočile poglobljen učinek, večjo vidnost in racionalnejšo rabo sredstev. Poseben poudarek je bil na regijah Khmelnitsky, Lviv in Dnipro-Petrovsk, kjer Slovenija že izvaja številne projekte.
Povečano ozaveščanje v Sloveniji – potrebno je okrepiti prepoznavnost dela RS v Ukrajini, zlasti med mladimi, odločevalci in v zasebnem sektorju. Razprava je pokazala, da različni pristopi k ozaveščanju ciljnih skupin, kot so informativne kampanje in dogodki za mlade, pomembno prispevajo k prepoznavnosti in vplivu.
Skupni projekt letovanja ukrajinskih otrok v Sloveniji leta 2026 – projekt bo združil kapacitete slovenskih občin in obstoječa sredstva akterjev, pri čemer bo temeljil na izkušnjah preteklih letovanj. Cilj je doseči večji učinek in vidnost ter neposredno podpreti otroke, ki so prizadeti zaradi konflikta, z varnim in kakovostnim programom počitnic.

Sestanek je potrdil pomen sodelovanja, koordinacije in skupnih pobud za trajnejši vpliv prizadevanj RS v Ukrajini. Udeleženci so se dogovorili, da bodo nadaljevali delo na operativnem načrtu in pripravah na naslednje aktivnosti, ki bodo okrepile sinergijo in učinkovitost dosedanjih projektov.

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’.

Women Entrepreneurs at the Frontlines of Ukraine’s Recovery

24. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

On 23 September 2025, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) hosted the international webinar “Women Leading Local Recovery: Entrepreneurship, Empowerment & the Social Economy in Ukraine.” The event brought together Slovenian and Ukrainian experts, entrepreneurs, and local leaders to showcase how women are driving economic recovery through business leadership and the social economy.

Key messages from the event

Women’s role in Ukraine’s economy is growing rapidly. In 2023, over 37,000 new businesses were launched in Ukraine, more than before the war. Women founded 56% of these new businesses. New enterprises are emerging in IT, e-commerce, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and creative industries (Ms Vira Savchenko, BDO Ukraine).
Supportive environments make the difference. Slovenia’s example demonstrates that ecosystems comprising chambers of commerce, incubators, and women’s associations, combined with EU and national financial instruments, are crucial in supporting women entrepreneurs’ success (Ms Branka Aralica, Ona Ve).
Challenges remain. Ukrainian women entrepreneurs continue to face obstacles such as limited access to credit, heavy compliance burdens, double caregiving roles, and the psychological toll of war. Yet, they persist and innovate, creating grassroots solutions.

Panellists shared practical insights and examples, with Ms Olena Kucheruk (NGO Shift and Promka) sharing the story of establishing a business anew as an IDP. Ms Yuliana Onischuk (Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation) reminded participants that resilience means daring to try, and Ms Maryna Saprykina (U&WE Hub) underlined the importance of women taking up leadership roles and stepping forward with confidence. Ms Yuliia Posternak (Kulykivka Hromada) pointed to the need for balance between local self-government and business as the foundation for strong communities.

As highlighted during the opening, women in Ukraine are not only rebuilding businesses but also creating new ones, contributing to local economies, breaking stereotypes, and serving as mentors. Strengthening their role is a long-term investment in resilience, sustainability, and growth.

This webinar was part of CEP’s Programme on Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine, particularly Pillar III – Economy, which focuses on improving local business environments, promoting entrepreneurship, and connecting Slovenian and Ukrainian actors for sustainable recovery.

The event was organised with the support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the EBA – European Business Association, with a special thanks to Ms Kateryna Prysiazhniuk and the U-LEAD with Europe programme.

Municipalities Lenart and Velika Polana sign memoranda on cooperation with communities Bibrka and Zymne

22. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Today marked an important milestone in strengthening Slovenian–Ukrainian municipal cooperation. The municipalities of Lenart and Velika Polana officially signed memoranda of mutual cooperation with the Ukrainian communities of Bibrka (Lviv region) and Zymne (Volyn region). The signing coincided with the launch of two new two-week mentorship internships in Slovenia, designed to support knowledge exchange and joint solutions for recovery, reconstruction, and sustainable development in Ukraine.

The internships, running from 22 September to 3 October 2025, are part of the programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine and the broader TIPS4UA initiative. For the first time, two Slovenian municipalities will host Ukrainian delegations in parallel, reflecting the growing demand and importance of direct, practical cooperation between local communities.

Velika Polana is welcoming representatives from Zymne, with a programme focusing on cultural heritage protection, civil protection, and sustainable community initiatives. Lenart is hosting delegates from Bibrka, with exchanges planned around waste management, local development planning, and tourism.

The format of the visit will combine joint and individual sessions: the programme will open with three days of shared activities in Velika Polana, continue with separate internship weeks in each municipality, and conclude with three days of joint activities in Lenart. This structure allows for both tailored mentorship and collective reflection, ensuring that participants benefit from a wide range of Slovenian local experiences.

Building long-term partnerships

The memoranda signed today symbolise more than a formal agreement—they mark the beginning of long-term partnerships rooted in mutual trust, learning, and solidarity. The internships will not only provide Ukrainian representatives with practical insights into Slovenian local governance but also lay the foundation for joint projects in areas of recovery and reconstruction, sustainable economic development, and cultural cooperation.