PR - CEP - Page 5

Study visit in Slovenia – Strengthening Capacities in Financial Investigations in Montenegro

13. 10. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

From 14 to 17 October 2025, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) will host a study visit in Slovenia as part of the project “Strengthening Capacities in the Area of Financial Investigations in Montenegro.”

The project aims to enhance the institutional and operational capacities of Montenegrin authorities in conducting financial investigations, tackling organised crime, and combating money laundering. The study visit will bring together representatives from the Ministry of Interior and Police of Montenegro, the Embassy of Montenegro in Slovenia, and their Slovenian counterparts, including the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, the Police, and other relevant institutions.

Through a series of workshops, meetings, and field visits in Ljubljana and Celje, participants will exchange experiences and best practices in the areas of financial investigations, asset recovery, anti-corruption measures, and inter-institutional cooperation. The visit will also focus on developing practical approaches and preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support future operational work.

This activity represents another important step in the long-term cooperation between Slovenia and Montenegro in strengthening the rule of law and improving the effectiveness of institutions in preventing and investigating financial crime.

The project is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within the framework of Slovenia’s International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme (Slovenia Aid & Partnerships), in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Slovenia.

POTC Marks the Successful Completion of its UN-Certified Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training

10. 10. 2025 | POTC, PR

Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) has successfully concluded its UN-certified Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training, held from October 6–10, 2025, at Jable Castle in Mengeš. This intensive five-day programme equipped participants with critical skills and knowledge to uphold the protection of civilians in conflict zones, humanitarian crises, and peace missions and operations.

Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.

The CPoC training brought together future and current peace personnel as well as policymakers to strengthen their capacity in safeguarding vulnerable populations. Key focus areas included:

understanding the international humanitarian and human rights laws governing PoC, including UN and EU mission mandates.
practical tools & skills: training in effective PoC strategies, risk assessment, and response mechanisms in high-threat environments,
climate change and protecting civilians in conflict,
hybrid threats and the protection of civilians,
a whole-day tabletop exercise where participants put their new skills and knowledge to the test.

The programme emphasised real-world applicability, ensuring participants left with actionable insights for deployment in international missions and crisis management roles.

The Protection of Civilians (PoC) remains a cornerstone of humanitarian law, addressing threats such as physical violence, forced displacement, sexual violence, and denial of essential resources. This training reinforced the shared responsibility of states, international organisations, and non-state actors to uphold human dignity in conflict settings.

POTC remains committed to expanding access to specialised training and will announce future editions of the training in 2026.

Follow us on social media for more POTC news and content:

LinkedIn • X • Facebook • Bluesky

Vabilo na okroglo mizo: Slovenija v svetu prelomnic: varnost, odpornost in strateške izbire

6. 10. 2025 | Nacionalno varnostno mislišče, PR

V času vse bolj negotove geopolitične slike – od ruske agresije na Ukrajino do napetih odnosov med Kitajsko in ZDA ter naraščajočih hibridnih in kibernetskih groženj – se vprašanje varnosti in strateške odpornosti postavlja v središče razprav o prihodnosti Evropske unije in njenih članic.

Center za evropsko prihodnost in Zveza slovenskih častnikov vas v sodelovanju s Parkom vojaške zgodovine vljudno vabita na okroglo mizo z naslovom

SLOVENIJA V SVETU PRELOMNIC: VARNOST, ODPORNOST IN STRATEŠKE IZBIRE

17. oktober 2025 ob 11:00
Paviljon A, Park vojaške zgodovine, Pivka

Sodelujoči bodo razpravljali o vlogi Slovenije v spremenjenem geopolitičnem in varnostnem okolju Evrope, o tem kako se bo EU dolgoročno odzvala na krize ter kakšni so scenariji prihodnosti EU in njenega obrambnega stebra?

Na okrogli mizi bodo sodelovali:

Mag. Borut Sajovic, minister, Ministrstvo za obrambo
Vojko Volk, državni sekretar, Kabinet predsednika Vlade Republike Slovenije
Prof. Dr. Iztok Prezelj, Predstojnik obramboslovnega raziskovalnega centra na Fakulteti za družbene vede, Univerza v Ljubljani in predsednik Evro-atlantskega sveta Slovenije

Moderira: Katja Geršak, Center za evropsko prihodnost

Govorci bodo obravnavali vprašanja, kot so:

ali obstaja nevarnost oslabitve zveze NATO;
kakšne so posledice za majhne države, kot je Slovenija;
zakaj je strateška odpornost (fizična, digitalna in institucionalna) ključna za prihodnost države;
kako slovenska javnost dojema varnost ter vlaganja v odpornost in obrambo.

Po končani razpravi sledi pogostitev in prijetno druženje.

Dogodek bo potekal v slovenščini.

Vstop na dogodek je prost.

Prosimo, da najpozneje do 14. oktobra 2025 potrdite svojo udeležbo prek povezave.

Na voljo je brezplačno parkirišče v sklopu Parka vojaške zgodovine.

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.