Ukraine - CEP

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.

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’.

Upcoming parallel mentorship visits in Velika Polana and Lenart

18. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

22 September – 3 October 2025, Velika Polana & Lenart – Preparations are underway for the second and third two-week internship visits within our programme “Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine” and the TIPS4UA initiative. For the first time, these mentorship visits will take place in parallel, hosted by two municipalities.

Representatives from Zymne (Ukraine) will take part in the mentorship visit in Velika Polana, while representatives from Bibrka (Ukraine) will participate in Lenart. The programme begins with three days of joint activities in Velika Polana and concludes with three days of shared sessions in Lenart. In between, each host municipality will welcome its Ukrainian partner to exchange experiences and good practices in cultural heritage protection, civil protection, waste management, and sustainable tourism.

The visits will officially open on 22 September in Velika Polana and close on 3 October in Lenart, marking an important step in strengthening cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange.

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’.

Strengthened support between CEP and Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Cooperation

15. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

On Friday, 12 September 2025, at Jable Castle, a new cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia and the Centre for European Perspective (CEP). The agreement was signed by HE Dr Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, and Nina Čepon, Executive Director of CEP.

The partnership enhances cooperation between the two institutions in the framework of international development projects implemented by CEP in the Western Balkans and the EU Eastern Neighbourhood.

As part of the agreement, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development joins CEP’s efforts as the lead partner in Pillar II of the programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine. Within this framework, the ministry will contribute targeted assistance to Ukraine in the EU membership negotiations, particularly in relation to Chapter 22 – Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments.

Slovenia’s experience with cohesion policy, including good practices, applicable expertise, and even lessons learned, will help strengthen the capacity of Ukraine’s negotiation team and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. The programme reaffirms its commitment to effective coordination with the EU, Member States, and non-EU donors in providing support to Ukraine.

This cooperation is part of Slovenia’s broader commitment under Slovenian Aid and Partnerships programme, supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. In cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.