Regional cooperation - CEP

Strengthened support between CEP and Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Cooperation

15. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

On Friday, 12 September 2025, at Jable Castle, a new cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia and the Centre for European Perspective (CEP). The agreement was signed by HE Dr Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, and Nina Čepon, Executive Director of CEP.

The partnership enhances cooperation between the two institutions in the framework of international development projects implemented by CEP in the Western Balkans and the EU Eastern Neighbourhood.

As part of the agreement, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development joins CEP’s efforts as the lead partner in Pillar II of the programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine. Within this framework, the ministry will contribute targeted assistance to Ukraine in the EU membership negotiations, particularly in relation to Chapter 22 – Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments.

Slovenia’s experience with cohesion policy, including good practices, applicable expertise, and even lessons learned, will help strengthen the capacity of Ukraine’s negotiation team and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. The programme reaffirms its commitment to effective coordination with the EU, Member States, and non-EU donors in providing support to Ukraine.

This cooperation is part of Slovenia’s broader commitment under Slovenian Aid and Partnerships programme, supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. In cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.

Slovenian Mayors Strengthen Cooperation in Supporting Ukraine’s Recovery

4. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

Celje, 3 September 2025 – Local communities remain at the heart of the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine Programme. Slovenian mayors gathered in Celje to discuss future activities and joint initiatives for 2026, in a meeting hosted by the Mayor of Celje, Mr Matija Kovač. They emphasized that the contribution of Slovenian municipalities has proven to be relevant and successful, fostering mutual learning and solidarity in support of Ukraine’s recovery amid the ongoing war.

Looking ahead, the mayors agreed to revitalise existing partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities and regions while also including new Slovenian municipalities in the process. They underlined the importance of developing concrete joint projects and of applying a cluster approach that connects communities through key themes such as rural development and tourism, civil protection and resilience, environmental management, and access to EU and other funding. These efforts will build on the expertise of Slovenian local leaders, the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the contribution of women to recovery, reform, and entrepreneurship.

The discussion also highlighted the need to increase the visibility of Slovenia’s contribution at both the EU and international level, while at the same time raising awareness among Slovenian citizens – particularly young people – about the importance of international solidarity and development cooperation. A concrete step in this direction will be the organisation of summer camps for Ukrainian children in Slovenia in 2026, offering them safe and supportive experiences away from the traumas of war. In parallel, Slovenian mayors will actively engage in European-level events and forums, including the European Week of Regions and Cities, the Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering, and the Ukraine Recovery Conference, to ensure that Slovenia’s role and commitment remain visible in wider European discussions.

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’.

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Second Enter: Change forum ends

3. 9. 2025 | BiH - Young Politicians, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Youth

The second Enter: Change Forum titled “Shaping BiH’s Tomorrow: Youth Leading the Way” was concluded successfully on the 2nd of September. It brought together 16 promising young politicians from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, uniting them in Kranjska Gora to reflect on their country’s future. Representing diverse ethnic and political backgrounds, these young leaders came together to share ideas, debate solutions, and prepare a vision for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union.

The forum officially opened with inspiring addresses from distinguished guests:

H.E. Mr Dario Novalić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Slovenia
Mr John D. Stubbs, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Ljubljana
Ms Nina Čepon, Executive Director of CEP
Ms Jelka Klemenc, Head of Development Cooperation at CEP

In their opening remarks, speakers emphasised the importance of empowering youth voices, strengthening trust in institutions, and fostering political stability as essential steps towards a more inclusive and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. Forum facilitator Mr Adnan Ćerimagić, analyst at the European Stability Initiative, underlined the power of narratives, true or false, in shaping a country’s present and future, urging participants to take ownership of the stories that define Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Forum’s focus was on three key pillars for BiH’s tomorrow:

European Integration – understanding the EU path & learning from best practices;
Rule of Law & Fight Against Corruption – strengthening institutions & transparency;
Interethnic Dialogue & Inclusive Leadership – fostering trust, cooperation & unity.

We had the pleasure of listening to experts in their respective fields, like Assoc. Prof. Dr Sabina Lange, who talked about the EU membership process, Prof. Dr Mojmir Mrak and Ms Vesna Pusić spoke about their stories with the EU negotiation process for Slovenia and Croatia; Doc. dr Faris Kočan and Prof. Dr Rok Zupančič dove deeper into Rule of Law and the importance of Interethnic dialogue in Post-conflict societies; and lastly, Mr Goran Klemenčič, former Minister of Justice and Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia, who held an anti-corruption lesson for our participants.

Our Young Bosnian leaders had the opportunity to meet with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Ms Marta Kos on the outskirts of the Bled Strategic Forum, where they discussed the role of youth in shaping political processes and advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European perspective, while sharing their vision statement, prepared during the second forum.

The Participants also had the opportunity to join synergies with the Young Bled Strategic Forum and participate in their discussions, as well as attend the Bled Strategic Forum itself and listen to the insightful panels. Before they left beautiful Bled, they had a sit-down with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr Elmedin Konaković, which led to a fruitful debate over coffee.

Together, we’re laying the foundations for a new generation of leaders committed to an inclusive, just, and European-oriented future.

The activities within the project Enter: Change are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships programme, and by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana.

More about the activites in the Flick gallery below:

Enter: Change Forum II – Youth Shaping Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Future

25. 8. 2025 | BiH - Young Politicians, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Youth

This week, the second Enter: Change Forum titled “Shaping BiH’s Tomorrow: Youth Leading the Way” will unite 16 young leaders from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing diverse ethnic and political backgrounds.

The Forum, starting on 28 August, will include participation in the Young BSF on 31 August and the Bled Strategic Forum on 1 and 2 September. It will provide a platform to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina, including European integration, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and interethnic dialogue through inclusive leadership. Participants will engage in lectures, panel discussions, training sessions, mentorship, and public dialogue. Under the guidance of Mr Adnan Ćerimagić, analyst at the European Stability Initiative, the young leaders will prepare a vision statement on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union.

The Forum will also unite young leaders with participants of the Young Bled Strategic Forum, with both then joining the Bled Strategic Forum, working to amplify the voices of youth and highlight their role in shaping inclusive political processes and promoting European values.

The activities of the Enter: Change project are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Embassy of the United States of America in Ljubljana.

Children from Bucha visit Kočevje

17. 7. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

Kočevje, 17 July 2025 – A group of 45 children from Bucha Municipality (Kyiv region) spent a week in Kočevje, Slovenia, taking part in a programme designed to give them a break from the ongoing war and a chance to enjoy nature and new experiences.

The children, aged 9 to 14, followed an active schedule filled with sports, games, creative activities, and time outdoors. They especially enjoyed rafting and exploring the forests and hills of the Kočevje region, known for its natural beauty and wildlife. Teachers and mentors accompanying the group expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide the children with a safe and peaceful environment where they could relax and recharge. On their final day, the children met with Oleg Rogoza, Project Manager at CEP, and shared their impressions and hopes, including the wish that one day their Slovenian friends might visit them in Bucha.

The visit was made possible by the initiative of the Municipality of Kočevje and the Municipality of Bucha, with support from CEP and other partners. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation between Slovenian and Ukrainian municipalities and support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The visit of Bucha children in Kočevje highlights good cooperation between Bucha and Kočevje, which signed a twin-cities agreement in April 2024.

We thank Mayor Gregor Košir, the team at the Municipality of Kočevje, all mentors, and the co-financers who helped make this visit possible.

The visit is in part supported by the Slovenian Aid & Partnerships programme of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

Conclusion of the first fact-finding visit in Podgorica

14. 7. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

On Friday, 11 July, we concluded the first fact-finding visit to Podgorica, which took place from 9 to 11 July 2025, as part of an ongoing project aimed at strengthening the institutional capacities for financial investigations in Montenegro.

The visit aimed to gain a more in-depth understanding of the current situation and key challenges in the fields of investigative procedures and financial investigations, with Slovenian experts exchanging information with their colleagues at the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior and Police Administration. The expert team, led by CEP, also held a meeting with Mr Vladimir Novovič, Chief Special Prosecutor at the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and discussed the role of their Office and inter-institutional cooperation.

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