CEP at the Final Event of Project RurALL: Linking Local Solutions with Macroregional Cooperation

CEP at the Final Event of Project RurALL: Linking Local Solutions with Macroregional Cooperation

At the Final Event of the Project RurALL, CEP contributed in its role as coordinator of Priority Area 10 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, presenting how local initiatives can achieve broader impact through macroregional cooperation and multilevel governance.

The presentation focused on the importance of participatory governance, stakeholder engagement, and institutional capacity-building in strengthening resilient rural communities. It explored how successful local initiatives and project results can move beyond pilot areas through stronger coordination, cooperation, and exchange across the Danube Region.

At the same time, the event also reflected CEP’s broader work in supporting municipalities and local stakeholders through practical capacity-building initiatives. By connecting macroregional policy coordination with hands-on mentorship and cooperation at the local level, CEP demonstrated how different projects and activities can complement one another: one helping create strategic frameworks and networks, the other translating these approaches into concrete support for municipalities and rural communities.

In the following roundtable, the event provided the opportunity to exchange experiences with local and regional representatives on practical approaches to rural development, cooperation, and inclusive governance across the Danube Region.

Humanoid Robots in the Armed Forces – Science Fiction or the Near Future?

Humanoid Robots in the Armed Forces – Science Fiction or the Near Future?

The fifth seminar on Disruptive Military Technologies and Practices was held at Jable Castle on May 26th. This year, the focus was on humanoid robots in the armed forces.

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The seminar on the use of humanoid robots in the armed forces provided insight into the current state of development of such systems worldwide and explored their possible roles in the armed forces of the future. 

The rapid development of humanoid robots, a specific segment of autonomous systems, poses new challenges to society at large and, consequently, to armed forces worldwide. As part of the seminar, experts presented the current state of humanoid robot development, highlighted the reasons for their potential use in military environments, addressed the technical challenges of their development, and touched on the ethical and legal issues related to their future use. 

The seminar, which was organised in close cooperation with the Department of Military Technology, Research and Development of the Ministry of Defence, was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Slovenian Armed Forces.

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Mentorship Visit of Horodenka Municipality to Beltinci Concludes

Mentorship Visit of Horodenka Municipality to Beltinci Concludes

As part of the “Rebuild Ukraine” programme a mentorship visit of representatives from the Ukrainian municipality of Horodenka took place in the Municipality of Beltinci between 13 and 27 May. The programme was designed to support Ukrainian local communities in project development, knowledge exchange, and strengthening international cooperation.

Representatives of Horodenka municipality, Ms Mariia Zdrila and Ms Tetiana Hamula, worked together with CEP experts and their mentor Dejan Bogdan from the Municipality of Beltinci on developing project proposals in the fields of waste management and veterans’ rehabilitation. Both topics represent important priorities for the municipality as Ukraine continues to face the consequences of war and reconstruction challenges.

The mentorship programme provided participants with insight into Slovenian good practices in local development, project management, and the functioning of local self-government. During their stay, they attended presentations of projects implemented by the Municipality of Beltinci and the Institute for Tourism, Culture and Sport Beltinci, visited CEROP, Saubermacher-Komunala, Komuna Beltinci and the wastewater treatment plant, learned about the work of the social enterprise ZRIRAP Beltinci, and participated in the final conference of the RurALL project.

In the final stage of the visit, the delegation was joined by the Mayor of Horodenka Municipality, Mr Bohdan Kobyliansky, who was welcomed by the Mayor of Beltinci Municipality, Mr Marko Virag. Their meeting focused on exchanging experiences regarding local governance, the preparation and management of EU-funded projects, and the challenges faced by rural communities in both Slovenia and Ukraine.

The mentorship visit concluded at the scenic Island of Love in Ižakovci, where the mayors signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the municipalities of Beltinci and Horodenka, laying the foundation for future collaboration and joint initiatives.

On this occasion, the Municipality of Beltinci also donated solar panels to Horodenka, a gesture of solidarity and support that will help the local community during these difficult times.

“Many communities have good ideas, but you also need the required skills. We tried to give you an insight into our own journey,” said Mr Marko Virag, Mayor of the Municipality of Beltinci, during the closing event.

The mentorship visit stands as an important example of cooperation between Slovenian and Ukrainian local communities and represents concrete support for Ukraine’s recovery and long-term local development.

The Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme is supported by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia through the Slovenian Aid and Partnership programme.

Foto: Jure Kljajić

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Global starts Local: Workshops about raising awareness on international development cooperation

Global starts Local: Workshops about raising awareness on international development cooperation

CEP, in cooperation with Zavod Povod, is organising interactive workshops for 9th-grade primary school students aimed at raising awareness about the importance of international development cooperation, global solidarity, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The first workshops will take place:

  • on 3 June in Spodnja Idrija Primary School
  • on 12 June in Lenart Primary School

The 90-minute workshops are designed to introduce young people to Slovenia’s role in international development cooperation while encouraging reflection on active citizenship, solidarity, and shared responsibility in addressing global challenges.

Through interactive learning, group discussions, quizzes, and creative activities, participants will explore:

  • the role of Slovenia and the Centre for European Perspective in international cooperation,
  • the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for people, society, and the environment,
  • the contribution of Slovenian NGOs to international solidarity and sustainable development,
  • concrete examples of Slovenia’s support for Ukraine and other international projects.

Special attention will be given to connecting young people’s personal values with the Sustainable Development Goals and understanding how international projects contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient society.

The workshops are based on a participatory approach and encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and active engagement in understanding global challenges and their local impact.

The Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme is supported by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia through the Slovenian Aid and Partnership programme.

Ekipa Blejskega strateškega foruma išče študentske okrepitve

Ekipa Blejskega strateškega foruma išče študentske okrepitve

Ekipa Blejskega strateškega foruma (BSF) v svoje vrste ponovno vabi študentske okrepitve, ki bodo postale ključni del razširjene ekipe pri organizaciji največjega in najpomembnejšega zunanjepolitičnega dogodka v Republiki Sloveniji.

Letošnja mednarodna konferenca, ki bo potekala 31. avgusta in 1. septembra 2026 na Bledu, bo pod naslovom ‘Choosing The Future’ v ospredje postavila aktivno vlogo posameznikov in držav pri sooblikovanju prihodnosti.

Za glavno organizacijo foruma sicer skrbi ustaljena, a majhna ekipa, ki pa v času dogodka zaradi izjemnega organizacijskega zalogaja potrebuje pomoč. Študenti z operativnim delom in neposrednim stikom z gosti odigrajo neprecenljivo vlogo pri uspehu celotnega foruma, hkrati pa dobijo edinstven vpogled v zakulisje mednarodne politike.

Kaj pričakujemo od kandidatov?

  • Odgovornost, organiziranost in željo po pridobivanju novih izkušenj.
  • Urejen študentski status do konca septembra 2026.
  • Zaželene (niso pa pogoj) predhodne izkušnje pri organizaciji dogodkov.

Področja dela vključujejo: delo na odprtju v Festivalni dvorani, pomoč v medijskem centru ali PR ekipi, sprejem delegacij na letališču Jožeta Pučnika, logistično podporo v dvoranah, delo na bilateralnih srečanjih in na akreditacijskem pultu.

Kaj ponujamo?

  • Možnost sodelovanja na glavnem zunanjepolitičnem dogodku v Sloveniji ter odlično priložnost za nova poznanstva.
  • Delo, plačano po urni postavki 7,73 € neto.
  • Organizirano prehrano in prevoz iz Ljubljane do Bleda.
  • Možnost priznanja dela kot obvezne prakse v okviru formalnega izobraževanja.
  • Možnost pridobitve priporočila vodstva v primeru dobro opravljenega dela.

Potek dela: Glavnina dela bo potekala v ponedeljek, 31. avgusta, in v torek, 1. septembra, del ekipe pa bo vključen že med vikendom (29. in 30. avgusta) ter v času priprav. Predpriprave bodo vključevale en spletni koordinacijski sestanek in krajše spletno varnostno izobraževanje.

Vse zainteresirane študente vabimo, da se prijavi preko spletnega obrazca najkasneje do vključno nedelje, 7. junija 2026. Ob prijavi je potrebno priložiti življenjepis (CV) in kratko motivacijsko pismo (do 300 besed). V primeru velikega števila prijav bodo med 8. in 12. junijem potekali kratki, 10-minutni spletni razgovori.

Za dodatna vprašanja se lahko obrnete na: [email protected]

 

Social Entrepreneurship as a Local Development Tool for Ukrainian Municipalities

Social Entrepreneurship as a Local Development Tool for Ukrainian Municipalities

On 19 May 2026, the Centre for Europepan Perspective (CEP), in collaboration with the Regional Development Agency of the Kyiv Region, hosted a international webinar titled “Social Entrepreneurship as a Local Development Tool: Good Practices and Real-Life Examples from Slovenia and Ukraine”.

The webinar explored how municipalities can support social entrepreneurship through community engagement, local partnerships, and targeted support measures. Drawing on Slovenian experience, Mr Marin Zver from CPU – Center ponovne uporabe (Reuse Center Slovenia) presented how social enterprises can address waste, social exclusion, and local service gaps through reuse and circular economy models. His presentation focused on the importance of municipal partnerships, local infrastructure, and sustainable business activities that create green jobs, strengthen social inclusion, and keep value within the community.

Ukrainian expert Ms Ksenia Pecherska presented the Ukrainian perspective, focusing on legal and funding aspects, as well as practical approaches to identifying local needs and supporting community-led initiatives.

Supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia through the Slovenian Aid programme.