Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course – 2-13 February, 2026

Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course – 2-13 February, 2026

2. 12. 2025 | POTC, PR

COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS COURSE (CPoC), NAIROBI, KENYA

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The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course (CPOC) will be conducted in cooperation between the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), the British Peace Support Team – Africa (BPST – A) and the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), Kenya. The training activity will take place at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya from Monday, 02 to Friday, 13 February 2026 (10 working days).

The aim of the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is to equip participants with relevant knowledge and skills to effectively assess, plan, and implement Protection of Civilians (POC) activities in United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) peace operations. It is premised on the fact that the current Peace Support/Keeping Operation (PSO/PKO) setting has become increasingly dynamic and complex, with civilians bearing the greatest brunt. It is hoped that this course will enhance participants’ understanding of POC intricacies and frameworks and, consequently, contribute to the operational effectiveness of UN and AU peace and peace support operations.

Eligible candidates should be the ranks of Major to Lieutenant Colonel for the Military, ASP to SSP for the Police and their Civilian Equivalent. The Protection of Civilians Course will be conducted in English. Participants must be fluent in English, both written and spoken. Equal representation of both genders is encouraged, and female candidates are highly recommended for consideration. Applications are done at the link: POTC APPLICATION LINK (deadline: 9 January 2026). In case of any issues, please contact:

All costs related to attending the Protection of Civilians Course (travel, accommodation and full board) will be covered by the organising institutions.

For more information, please refer to the Joining Instructions.

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Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

1. 12. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Over the past two weeks, Slovenska Bistrica hosted representatives of Zarichne Municipality as part of a mentorship visit within the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme. The visit was organised by the Centre for European Perspective under the auspices of Bridges of Trust.

The mentorship programme enabled the Ukrainian delegation to gain first-hand insight into best practices of Slovenian local governance, public services, and local economic development. The focus was on practical solutions and transferable approaches that can support the preparation and implementation of development projects in Zarichne Municipality.

During their stay, the delegation visited several institutions and companies in Slovenska Bistrica:

  • Komunala Slovenska Bistrica – presentations on digitalisation of public services, sustainable utility management, and innovative approaches to citizen engagement;

  • Impol d.o.o. – an overview of modern aluminium production, advanced manufacturing processes, and the role of industry in local economic resilience;

  • Slovenska Bistrica Agricultural Cooperative – insights into cooperative organisation, support mechanisms for local farmers, and strengthening local food systems;

  • Dom dr. Jožeta Potrča Poljčane – examples of good practices in social care, senior inclusion, and community-based services.

These visits were complemented by in-depth discussions with practitioners, allowing participants to reflect on how similar models could be adapted to the Ukrainian local context.

In addition to field visits, the programme included targeted workshops on project planning, funding opportunities, and implementation strategies. Through guided sessions, participants developed concrete ideas for future cooperation between Slovenska Bistrica and Zarichne, with an emphasis on sustainable local development and post-war recovery needs.

The mentorship visit concluded with the formal signing of a cooperation agreement by the mayors Bohdan Kvachuk (Zarichne) and Dr Ivan Žagar (Slovenska Bistrica). The agreement confirms a shared commitment to continued knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, and long-term municipal partnership, marking an important step toward stronger international cooperation at the local level.

The activities were supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia within the framework of Slovenian Aid, and implemented in cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.

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First set of workshops in Montenegro successfully concluded

First set of workshops in Montenegro successfully concluded

28. 11. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Our programme in Montenegro has come to a close after intensive workshops with police units and prosecutors across the country. Sessions were held in Bijelo Polje, followed by workshops in Podgorica for the central and southern regions.

Yesterday, we also held a focused session with the working group preparing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Montenegrin police, an important step toward strengthening institutional processes.

Participants explored key elements of effective financial investigations, including:
🔹 the Slovenian legislative framework (ZOPNI) and prosecutorial leadership
🔹 early identification of financial elements in police work
🔹 practical case-based insights and police–prosecution cooperation
🔹 challenges in practice and priorities for 2026

The activities were carried out within the project “Strengthening capacities in the field of financial investigations in Montenegro (2025/2026)”, implemented with the support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Slovenian Ministry of Interior.

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INVITATION: Security Radar 2025 Europe: Lost in Geopolitics? Numbers that shape politics and public perceptions

INVITATION: Security Radar 2025 Europe: Lost in Geopolitics? Numbers that shape politics and public perceptions

26. 11. 2025 | Nacionalno varnostno mislišče, PR

Join us on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for an event co-organised by CEP in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia, and the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. The programme will begin with a presentation of FES’s Security Radar, followed by a discussion exploring security policy and public perceptions of security in Slovenia.

How have security perceptions changed in countries in- and outside of NATO since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022? This is the core question of the “Security Radar”, a multi-annual research project, which is regularly presented at the Munich Security conference. The aim of the Security Radar is to provide a realistic picture of public perception regarding current geopolitical challenges and security threats. It also surveys what political responses people in Europe and beyond consider necessary in relation to the war and other urgent issues in the realm of European security.

In scope of our discussion round, we want to explore how the changing trends in security perception are reflected in Slovenia: Has the public mood changed towards more readiness to defend NATO territory, or are Slovenians still more relucted that other citizens of NATO member states for example looking at increased defence spending? We will discuss Slovenia’s (perhaps) special position in the newly emerging NATO defence architecture with high-ranking experts form the field of foreign and security policy – and together with you!

AGENDA

5:00 PM – 5:15 PM Opening Remarks

  • Sonja Schirmbeck, Director of the FES for Croatia and Slovenia
  • Iztok Prezelj, Head of Defense Research Centre at the Faculty of Social Sciences UL and President of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia

5:15 PM – 5:45 PM Presentation of the Security radar 2025 

  • Christos Katsioulis, Director of the FES Regional Office for International Cooperation and Peace

5:45 PM – 6:30 PM Discussion with: 

  • Neva Grašič, State Secretary at Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
  • H.E. Sylvia Groneick, Ambassador of Germany to Slovenia
  • Jelena Juvan, Head of Chair of Defense Studies Faculty of Social Sciences UL and Vice-president of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia
  • Moderator: Magdalena Rakovec, Centre for European Perspective

VENUE

Faculty of Social Sciences, Kardeljeva ploščad 5, Lecture hall 3

EUTI Participates in ESDC’s Annual Training and Education Conference

EUTI Participates in ESDC’s Annual Training and Education Conference

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.

VABILO: Slovenija v svetu prelomnic: od inovacij do varnosti

VABILO: Slovenija v svetu prelomnic: od inovacij do varnosti

25. 11. 2025 | Nacionalno varnostno mislišče, PR

Kaj pomeni varnost v času naraščajočih globalnih pritiskov in hitrih tehnoloških sprememb, ko gospodarstvo ostaja ključni steber stabilnosti?

Kako lahko Slovenija krepi odpornost ob kibernetskih grožnjah, političnih napetostih, energetski odvisnosti in hitro spreminjajoči se industriji?

Kaj je potrebno, da se sodelovanje med državo, gospodarstvom, raziskovalci in lokalnimi skupnostmi razvije v učinkovit sistem skupne varnosti?

Vabimo vas na okroglo mizo o tem, kako lahko Slovenija razvije gospodarstvo, ki poleg konkurenčnosti krepi tudi nacionalno odpornost. Dotaknili se bomo vloge inovacij, strateških industrij in lokalnih okolij pri soustvarjanju varnosti ter pomena sodelovanja med institucijami, podjetji in skupnostmi. Razprava bo ponudila vpogled v vlogo gospodarstva pri krepitvi stabilnosti, raziskovalnega okolja kot vira novih rešitev ter lokalnih skupnosti kot prvega odzivnega stebra v krizah.

📅 Torek, 2. december 2025

🕒 09.00

📍 Katapult, Gabrsko 12, Trbovlje

Teme razprave bodo med drugim:

  • Kako lahko Slovenija poveže nacionalne strateške cilje z odpornostjo lokalnih okolij in skupnosti?
  • Na katerih področjih lahko sodelovanje med gospodarstvom, državo in družbo okrepi varnost ter obrambno pripravljenost države?
  • Kako lahko nove socialne strukture in oblike skupnostnega delovanja prispevajo k večji družbeni odpornosti in zaupanju?
  • Kako lahko Slovenija v okviru Evropske unije in drugih zavezništev ohranja ravnotežje med sodelovanjem in strateško samostojnostjo?

Okroglo mizo organizirata Center za evropsko prihodnost in podjetje Dewesoft.

V razpravi bodo sodelovali:

  • Matjaž Han, minister za gospodarstvo, turizem in šport RS
  • Boštjan Pavlin, državni sekretar na ministrstvu za obrambo RS
  • Jure Knez, soustanovitelj in predsednik Dewesoft

Moderatorka: Sonja Šmuc, namestnica predsednika za strateške projekte pri Dewesoft

Okrogla miza bo potekala v slovenskem jeziku.

Po končani razpravi sledi pogostitev in prijetno druženje.

Vstop je prost do zapolnitve mest. Lepo prosimo za potrditev udeležbe preko povezave.