Ukraine - CEP

Conclusion of online mentorship between Postojna and Pechenihy

29. 11. 2024 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, 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 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, 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.

Study visit Business Development and Promotion: Local and Regional Good Practice of Slovenia concludes

27. 11. 2024 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

We have successfully concluded the study visit titled ‘Business Development and Promotion: Local and Regional Good Practice of Slovenia’, held from 19 to 28 November 2024 as a part of the Slovenian Aid project ‘Enhancing Slovenian Engagement in Ukraine: Economic and Social Sustainability of Regions and Cities’. From 20 to 28 November 2024, 20 representatives of Ukrainian local communities, business support organisations, and municipal associations supported by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme joined us in Slovenia to hear and learn more about Slovenian good practices on the topics of regional and local development, EU funding, EU accession, cooperation between businesses and municipalities, waste management and circular economy, New European Bauhaus and more.

First week of workshops and activities on regional development, circular economy and waste management, future of construction, EU funding and opportunities for Ukraine, and more organised by Pomurje Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pomurje Technology Park, Kodila, Medicop d.o.o., Surovina d.o.o., Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska Region, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute and InnoRenew CoE.

Activities in the second week focused on regional and local good practices for cooperation between business incubators and local communities, waste management and development of local circular economy practices, and opportunities for Ukrainian municipalities and companies through the Nazovni platform. The visit ended on 27 November, with participants taking part in the forum entitled ‘Business Revival and Reconstruction Opportunities in Ukraine’, organised in cooperation with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia.

The ‘Enhancing Slovenian Engagement in Ukraine: Economic and Social Sustainability of Regions and Cities ’ 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.

Conclusion of the seventh mentorship visit with Slovenj Gradec

27. 11. 2024 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

27 November 2024, Mengeš – We have concluded the seventh three-week mentorship of 2024 between the City Municipality of Slovenj Gradec and Municipality Ladyzhyn under the auspices of the project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’. The three-week mentorship in Slovenj Gradec focused on project writing and funding, business development and cooperation, energy efficiency and medical rehabilitation.

In three weeks, mentees Mr Maksym Chekryhin, Deputy Mayor of Ladyzhyn, and Ms Olena Fadiievska, Head of the Municipal Institution “Local Economic Development Agency of Ladyzhyn”, have been learning about Slovenj Gradec’s good practices in business development, project preparation, and energy efficiency. The mentees have also worked on preparing a project draft on rehabilitation and the development of Ladyzhyn as a regional rehabilitation hub.

Slovenj Gradec Mayor Klugler addressed the participants via video, expressing the possibility of future cooperation and thanked the mentees for a successful collaboration with colleagues from Slovenj Gradec. Ms Anuša Pisanec from the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Ms Natalia Markevych Pritsa from the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Slovenia, and Slovenj Gradec mentors Mr Sašo Blatešič and Ms Sanja Paradiž joined us for the closing event.

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.

Kick-off of Study Visit on Slovenian Good Practices in Business Development and Promotion

20. 11. 2024 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Today, we kicked off the study visit in Murska Sobota as part of the Slovenian Aid project ‘Enhancing Slovenian Engagement in Ukraine: Economic and Social Sustainability of Regions and Cities’. From 20 to 28 November 2024, 20 representatives of Ukrainian local communities, business support organisations, and municipal associations supported by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme are joining us.

Today’s activities began with four workshops on regional development, EU accession, EU funding and opportunities for Ukraine, organised by Pomurje Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and will continue with a visit to the company Medicop.

In the following days, we will explore more regional and local good practices for cooperation between businesses and local communities, the circular economy, the future of construction, waste management, and the New European Bauhaus, with the culmination of the visit on 27 November where participants will take part in the forum entitled ‘Business Revival and Reconstruction Opportunities in Ukraine’.

The project is supported by Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve RS / Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs & ULEAD з Європою / ULEAD with Europe

Signing of sister-cities agreement between Hrastnik and Drohobych

14. 11. 2024 | Development (ODA), PR, Regional cooperation, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

14 November, Drohobych, Ukraine – Today, we have marked a significant step in cooperation between Drohobych Urban Hromada and Municipality Hrastnik.

The signing was celebrated with a discussion on inter-municipal cooperation and a public discussion on the role of local communities and international partnerships in supporting Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding efforts, with the signing and the accompanying activities in Drohobych organised under the auspices of the project “Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Ukraine”. The project is supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovenia Aid and Partnerships Programme) and implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in Slovenia in partnership with the EU Programme U-LEAD with Europe implemented by GIZ Germany.

Signing on behalf of Municipality Hrastnik was Mr Marko Funkl, Mayor Hrastnik. Slovenian Ambassador to Ukraine, H.E. Ms Mateja Prevolšek, and representatives of U-LEAD with Europe Programme also attended the activities marking this significant step in the cooperation between the two municipalities.

The partnership between Hrastnik and Drohobych dates to 2021, when the first contacts were made under the U-LEAD with Europe framework, with initial cooperation plans focused on youth, culture, and tourism. At the outbreak of war, Hrastnik’s citizens showed their solidarity by sending significant humanitarian aid directly to Drohobych. The ongoing project with CEP has deepened the partnership, allowing for the development of concrete project plans, including equipping a rehabilitation centre in Drohobych and providing essential medical equipment to the local hospital. The cooperation will also aim to collaborate on enhancing the local and regional tourism sector in Drohobych, which will further strengthen our partnership through new joint ventures. Becoming a sister city has strengthened cooperation on multiple levels for years.