Ukraine - CEP - Page 4

Forum of Slovenian-Ukrainian Cooperation begins in Lviv

29. 5. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Lviv, Ukraine, 28 May 2025 – Forum of Slovenian-Ukrainian Cooperation officially opened today in Lviv, bringing together over 80 participants from Ukraine, Slovenia, and wider for three days of dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation. Organised by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), with the support of U-LEAD with Europe programme and City of Lviv, the Forum is a cornerstone of the CEP Programme “Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine”, supporting local resilience through international municipal partnerships.

With Ukraine’s recovery and EU path deeply interconnected, the Forum serves as a platform for transforming solidarity into action, across topics such as housing, waste management, decentralised governance, and European integration.

The Forum began with addresses by Lviv’s Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, Deputy Minister Oleksii Riabykin, and Slovenia’s State Secretary Srečko Đurov. Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, delivered a keynote address underlining the central role of Ukrainian municipalities in recovery efforts.

During the opening part of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the German GIZ, confirming a strong framework for cooperation and support in Ukraine through CEP’s “Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine” programme. At the heart of the Forum are the International Municipal Partnerships, an initiative that connects municipalities like Kočevje, Hrastnik, Pereschepyne, and Drohobych to share policy expertise and implement locally led reforms.

In a dedicated panel, Slovenian and Ukrainian mayors exchanged experiences in tackling pressing local needs from housing strategies to rebuilding infrastructure and restoring citizen trust in public services.

Another key side event launched the pilot project “Establishing a Sustainable Waste Management System in Samar Raion” in Pereschepyne. The session with mayors of the Samar Raion explored both the local challenges (such as landfill overuse, lack of funding and war-induced waste) and lessons learned from Slovenia’s transformation into an EU waste management powerhouse.

The Forum also highlights Slovenia’s strategic role in supporting Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, through a side panel titled “Ukraine’s Path Toward the EU”. Participants from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Slovenian Ministry for Cohesion, and the European Parliament shared insights on how Ukraine can build the institutional capacity to navigate complex EU processes.

On 30 May, the Forum will host a dedicated panel on housing policy with officials and experts from Lviv, CEDOS, Drohobych, and Hrastnik. The discussion will highlight how municipalities are addressing the housing crisis, including for internally displaced persons.

Forum of Slovenian–Ukrainian Cooperation in Lviv

20. 5. 2025 | Decentralisation, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Ljubljana, 20 May 2025 – From 28 to 30 May 2025, the Centre for European Perspective and the City of Lviv are hosting the ‘Forum of Slovenian-Ukrainian Cooperation: Strengthening Partnerships for Recovery and Reconstruction’, organised by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe, implemented by GIZ, and supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. The event is part of the broader programme “Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine”, the cornerstone of Slovenia’s development cooperation with Ukraine in 2025–2026.

The Forum will bring together Slovenian and Ukrainian municipalities, government representatives from Slovenia and Ukraine, EU officials, mayors of Slovenian and Ukrainian municipalities, representatives of Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regional administrations, to exchange good practices in local and regional recovery and reconstruction, explore future cooperation, and discuss Slovenia’s targeted support for Ukraine’s EU accession process. Special focus will be placed on the role of international municipal partnerships (IMPs) in Ukraine’s post-war recovery, reconstruction and development. Thematic panels will take place, focusing on several key topics, such as waste management and housing policy.

The CEP Programme ‘Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine’ builds on mutual solidarity between the Slovenian and Ukrainian communities, aiming to foster long-term partnerships for the rebuilding of Ukraine. The Forum in Lviv will reaffirm Slovenia’s role as a committed partner in Ukraine’s recovery and European future.

PLATFORM LAUNCH: Slovenia Connects – Rebuild Ukraine

14. 4. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

We are launching new communication channels for our programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine: Slovenia Connects – Rebuild Ukraine!

In 2025, we launched an expanded programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine, a programme that significantly contributes to the processes of recovery, reconstruction and development in Ukraine by providing Slovenian know-how and exchange of good practices. The programme builds on CEP’s longstanding work in local reconstruction and development in Ukraine. It aims to enable sustainable development and stimulate economic growth in Ukraine by addressing key aspects of local and regional reconstruction and development: environment, energy, education, housing, rehabilitation and digitalisation, and empowering local business and entrepreneurship.

In this new programme phase, CEP will focus on maintaining existing inter-municipal partnerships, spreading its network, and contributing its expertise to the Ukrainian EU integration process. Furthermore, it will strive to connect Slovenian and Ukrainian business stakeholders, respond to emerging needs in local development through pilot initiatives and offer a coordination platform to explore possibilities for further cooperation between relevant partners.

One of the ways to access these partners and provide the most up-to-date information for our stakeholders is through social media. This is why the programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine launched new communication channels under the common slogan Slovenia Connects – Rebuild Ukraine, providing a platform to share programme activities, events, initiatives and much more.

You can find us on:

And don’t forget to use #SlovenianAid #CEP_Slovenia and tag us.

Come take a look and connect with us! Слідкуйте за новинами!

This programme is supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and ULEAD з Європою / ULEAD with Europe.

Green transition in Ukraine webinar series

27. 1. 2025 | National communities, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Centre for European Perspective is delighted to invite you to the webinar series on green transition!

The green transition refers to the shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in all sectors of society, including energy, transportation, and industry. The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of these efforts through policies like the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and the Fit for 55 package. These initiatives aim to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and foster a circular economy. Understanding these policies is important for local governments as they seek to align with EU standards, secure funding, and implement green practices at the municipal level.

Despite the ongoing conflict, the reconstruction process has started – with Ukraine working towards a sustainable reconstruction. Learning more about the possibilities the EU offers is helpful for local authorities involved in the reconstruction and recovery process.

This webinar series, organised with expert support from the Štajerska Chamber of Commerce, will provide you with the basics of green transition and EU policies, funding opportunities, and practical strategies for green public procurement for Ukrainian municipalities.

Webinar Series Programme

Green Deal, REPowerEU, Fit for 55, Circular Economy Action Plan
– What is it all about?
– What does it have to do with Ukraine?
Date: 30 January 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
EU Funding for Green Transition – Where, How, and What?
– Opportunities for Ukraine
– List of Relevant Calls for Application
Date: 6 February 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
Green Public Procurement I
– Basics
– Challenges & Opportunities
Date: 13 February 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
Green Public Procurement II
– Good Practice Examples
– How to Implement in Ukraine
Date: 20 February 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET

REGISTER HERE!

The activities are funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships.

Conclusion of online mentorship between Postojna and Pechenihy

29. 11. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

29 November 2024—Today, we have concluded the online mentorship between Municipality Postojna and Municipality Pechenihy under the auspices of the project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’. The mentorship visit took place online in October and November and focused on project writing, EU accession and funding, and the exchange of Postojna’s good practices on the topics of education, business development, and energy efficiency.

The situation in Pechenihy hromada did not allow for the visit to happen in person. Still, both municipalities expressed their willingness to cooperate, first online, and in the future perhaps also in person.

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’. The 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 Ukrainian population.

First insights from our successful event – Forum on Reconstruction and Business Revival in Ukraine

28. 11. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

On 27^th November, the first forum on reconstruction and business revival in Ukraine was attended by industry leaders, policymakers, embassies, international development institutions and other stakeholders, who were able to immerse themselves in the current needs and projects of Ukrainian authorities directed toward reconstruction and development.

The event was co-organised with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Slovenia and supported by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia through the Slovenia Aid & Partnerships programme.

The event also marked the successful conclusion of a week-long study visit of mayors and key representatives of Ukrainian municipalities, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, business associations, and inter-municipal associations, accompanied by representatives of the EU Programme [U-LEAD with Europe] implemented by German GIZ, focusing on the development of local economy and boosting local entrepreneurship. They contributed knowledge and ambitious projects on reconstruction and development, which inspired rich discussions on the opportunities in Ukrainian priority sectors ripe for investment – waste management and circular economy, building for the future, and energy.

Slovenian businesses shared their knowledge, innovative solutions, and experience operating in the Ukrainian market. The event provided further information on important tools for facilitating investment in Ukraine and connections between businesses.