4. 12. 2025 | EUTI, Peace and security, PR
On 3 and 4 December 2025, Jable Castle hosted participants from across Europe for the first training delivered under the European Union Training Initiative. Organised by the Centre for European Perspective, the course focused on the Foundations of Project Management in Civilian Crisis Management and brought together both pre-mission personnel and experts already deployed in the field.
Over two intensive days, participants explored how project management directly contributes to mission success. The training opened with an introduction to the project mindset and the specific ecosystem of civilian missions, helping participants distinguish between projects and routine operations. They worked through the full project lifecycle, learned how to define project success using SMART objectives, and gained practical tools for setting clear goals and scope.
A strong focus was placed on planning and implementation. Sessions covered how to structure project tasks, allocate resources and budgets, manage timelines, identify and mitigate risks, and monitor progress through effective reporting. Horizontal principles, including human rights, gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, were also integrated into the project framework, alongside the use of the Logical Framework approach.
The heart of the training was the hands-on capstone exercise. Working in groups on a mission-based scenario, participants developed their own project charter, which they refined, presented and discussed together. Through this practical work, they strengthened key skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
The final sessions focused on best practices and real-life application in mission environments. Participants reflected on common challenges, learned how to motivate teams and stakeholders, and created individual plans for applying newly acquired project management skills in their next deployment.
With highly engaged and motivated participants, the training days passed quickly. Participants left Jable Castle equipped with a strong foundation in project management and a practical toolkit they can immediately use in civilian crisis management missions.
2. 12. 2025 | POTC, PR
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS COURSE (CPoC), NAIROBI, KENYA – POTC APPLICATION LINK
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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 African Standby Forces.
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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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.
24. 11. 2025 | POTC, PR
OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – DEADLINE EXTENDED TO: 16 January 2025
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POTC’s Gender in Operations 5-day training programme will be delivered in cooperation between the Peace Operations Training Center and the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). The residential part of the training will take place at Jable Castle in Loka pri Mengšu, Slovenia, from 23 to 27 February 2026, with individual e-learning planned before arriving to the training.
Purpose of the Training: The training aims to boost operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate a gender perspective into CSDP and international missions and operations.
Target Audience: This program is tailored for up to 20 civilian experts, police officers, and military personnel—either currently deployed or preparing for deployment in international missions. Ideal participants include mid-level military officials, civilians (including police), and diplomats from EU Member States, EU institutions, and relevant agencies. It is also open to individuals from third countries who are involved in, or plan to join, CSDP, NATO, OSCE, or UN missions, or who are assigned to roles in fragile states.
The working language of the training will be English, and no translation services will be provided.
Attendance is free of charge for all selected participants (no tuition fee).
Sending authorities need to cover all costs for their participants’ travel and accommodation (including breakfast) during the residential part of the course.
During the training, POTC will cover the costs for:
– daily local transport (bus) between the designated hotel and the course venue;
– all costs connected with attending any social/cultural event;
– lunch, beverages and other refreshments provided during the training course at Jable castle.
More information can be found here.
Participants can apply only via the ESDC secure internet system ENLIST, by designated nominators, under https://esdc.europa.eu/enlist/login no later than 9 January 2026 (EXTENDED TO JANUARY 16). A list with relevant ENLIST nominators can be retrieved from the ESDC website at https://esdc.europa.eu/nominators/. Registration will not be final until confirmed by the ESDC Secretariat and upon the confirmed participants’ completion of the requested personal data in ENLIST.
For any additional questions regarding the application procedure, please contact both Fernando Angelo at [email protected] or Dimitrij Pahor at [email protected].
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20. 11. 2025 | POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organising a Webinar on EU Funding Opportunities for Ukraine – Focus on »Horizon Europe« for experts in disaster management, and prevention and preparedness planning who could potentially manage EU-funded projects and/or be involved in project activities.
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A tailor-made webinar was designed based on high level of interest expressed by State Emergency Service of Ukraine participants of the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Training, which was held in May this year in Rzeszow, Poland.
The EU-Funding Opportunities for Ukraine webinar will offer a focused overview of key EU funding mechanisms, with particular emphasis on the Horizon Europe programme. The session will begin with a brief overview of selected EU funding opportunities. It will then provide a detailed look at Horizon Europe, including its overall structure, eligibility criteria, and main types of actions. Participants will also receive a snapshot introduction to the Funding & Tenders (F&T) Portal and learn about effective “consortium mechanics,” such as where and how to find suitable partners. The webinar will conclude with practical hints and tips for writing competitive project proposals.
🗓 Date: 2 December 2025
🌐 Format: Online
🗣 Language: English
Guest-Trainer: Mr. Pierantonios Papazoglou, Research & Strategy Manager at the CERIDES Centre of Excellence in Risk and Decision Sciences of the European University Cyprus
The webinar is intended for a selected audience, and participation is limited to registered attendees.
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17. 11. 2025 | POTC, PR
The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) in Slovenia and the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) are co-organising the “Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)” training activity. The training will take place at the Gotenica Police Training Centre in Slovenia from Sunday, 8 March to Friday, 13 March 2026.
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This training activity contributes to security and situational awareness, reinforces a safety and security awareness mindset, and develops confidence in hostile situations. In addition, the training provides guidance on individual and team behaviour to help deter, detect and react during and after threatening events, thus increasing the overall personal safety and security of the training participants while serving in hostile environments. This year’s HEAT will be conducted in a winter environment.
Up to 20 professionals with different backgrounds, working or aiming to work with national or international (non-)governmental organisations, academic or private sector, are eligible to apply for participation in the training.
The participants will join an experienced group of Slovenian and foreign trainers for a five-day intensive course in the southwestern part of Slovenia. The training is designed to:
- improve participants’ knowledge about multiple threats present in hostile field environments and learn how to deal with them in an effective manner,
- rehearse and practice safety and security procedures according to specific threats,
- develop skills and behaviours to deal with different stressful situations.
Activities of the Hostile Environment Awareness Training include e-learning prior to the in-person training, lectures, guided discussions, role-playing, simulations, and a complex field training exercise. Trainees will be addressing deployment in hostile environments (threat awareness, management of various threats, etc.), medical help, orientation, communications, mobility, etc.
Applications must be submitted via the ESDC’s secure online system, ENLIST, by designated nominators at https://esdc.europa.eu/enlist/login. To apply, a national nominator must first add you to the system, so please contact your nominator as the first step. A list of ENLIST nominators is available on the ESDC website at https://www.esdc.europa.eu/training-and-education/list-nominators_en.
The deadline for submitting the application is 15 January 2026. The selection of participants is done by POTC and ESDC after the deadline, and both selected and unselected applicants will be notified.
You can find all the information regarding the registration process and the training delivery here.
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