Ukrainian–Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere strengthens bilateral cooperation and opens new opportunities for partnership

Ukrainian–Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere strengthens bilateral cooperation and opens new opportunities for partnership

10. 12. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

Mengeš, 10 December 2025 – CEP hosted the Ukrainian–Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere — a platform aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy field and fostering partnerships that support Ukraine’s urgent reconstruction and modernization needs while encouraging Slovenian companies to engage in future recovery and green transition projects.
The event brought together approximately 70 representatives from companies and institutions across the energy sector, who shared their projects, exchanged expertise, and explored new paths for collaboration. Ukrainian partners presented the scale of current challenges — including the need to rebuild 9 GW of power capacity due to Russian aggression — highlighting the importance of resilient and innovative solutions, as well as the financial and institutional support mechanisms available through the EU and the Energy Community. The Forum ultimately laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation and joint project development between Ukrainian and Slovenian stakeholders.

Just before the forum, CEP and the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking an important step toward strengthening cooperation between our institutions.
A key message of the Forum was that there are immediate business opportunities for the Slovenian private sector in Ukraine’s energy market. Ukrainian energy companies expressed a strong interest in building new partnerships and view Slovenian know-how and innovative solutions as highly valuable in addressing both reconstruction and long-term sustainable growth.
A heartfelt thank you to all partners for their essential contributions to this successful event.

The event was organised in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia, the Energy Industry Chamber of Slovenia, SPIRIT Slovenija, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Slovenia, and the Ukrainian CCI.

The event was supported by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs under the Slovenian Aid programme.

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Concluding event of the nursing and midwifery project taking place tomorrow in Skopje

Concluding event of the nursing and midwifery project taking place tomorrow in Skopje

8. 12. 2025 | North Macedonia - Nursing and Midwifery, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Tomorrow, 9 December, the project Advancing Nursing and Midwifery Education and Establishing the System for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in the Republic of North Macedonia will conclude with a final workshop and closing event in Skopje. The gathering will bring together representatives of the Ministries of Health and Education, higher education institutions, and professional nursing and midwifery associations to review progress over the past two years and outline next steps to sustain reforms.

The concluding workshop will focus on two core pillars of the project:
• Operationalising the regulatory framework for nursing and midwifery professions, including institutional responsibilities, future processes, and sustainability requirements.
• Implementing the reformed undergraduate curricula in higher education institutions, bringing together decision-makers to discuss practical steps for roll-out and alignment with EU standards.

These discussions build on extensive work carried out throughout 2024–2025, including the analysis of existing study programmes, the development of proposed national curricula, technical workshops on regulation, and training sessions dedicated to strengthening nursing roles in primary care.

Joining the concluding event from the Slovenian side are Slovenian experts from the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (Zbornica – Zveza) and the Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care, as well as representatives of the Slovenian Embassy in Skopje.

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 Programme] and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, with technical support from the WHO Office in North Macedonia.

Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

1. 12. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Over the past two weeks, Slovenska Bistrica hosted representatives of Zarichne Municipality as part of a mentorship visit within the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme. The visit was organised by the Centre for European Perspective under the auspices of Bridges of Trust.

The mentorship programme enabled the Ukrainian delegation to gain first-hand insight into best practices of Slovenian local governance, public services, and local economic development. The focus was on practical solutions and transferable approaches that can support the preparation and implementation of development projects in Zarichne Municipality.

During their stay, the delegation visited several institutions and companies in Slovenska Bistrica:

  • Komunala Slovenska Bistrica – presentations on digitalisation of public services, sustainable utility management, and innovative approaches to citizen engagement;

  • Impol d.o.o. – an overview of modern aluminium production, advanced manufacturing processes, and the role of industry in local economic resilience;

  • Slovenska Bistrica Agricultural Cooperative – insights into cooperative organisation, support mechanisms for local farmers, and strengthening local food systems;

  • Dom dr. Jožeta Potrča Poljčane – examples of good practices in social care, senior inclusion, and community-based services.

These visits were complemented by in-depth discussions with practitioners, allowing participants to reflect on how similar models could be adapted to the Ukrainian local context.

In addition to field visits, the programme included targeted workshops on project planning, funding opportunities, and implementation strategies. Through guided sessions, participants developed concrete ideas for future cooperation between Slovenska Bistrica and Zarichne, with an emphasis on sustainable local development and post-war recovery needs.

The mentorship visit concluded with the formal signing of a cooperation agreement by the mayors Bohdan Kvachuk (Zarichne) and Dr Ivan Žagar (Slovenska Bistrica). The agreement confirms a shared commitment to continued knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, and long-term municipal partnership, marking an important step toward stronger international cooperation at the local level.

The activities were supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia within the framework of Slovenian Aid, and implemented in cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.

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First set of workshops in Montenegro successfully concluded

First set of workshops in Montenegro successfully concluded

28. 11. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Our programme in Montenegro has come to a close after intensive workshops with police units and prosecutors across the country. Sessions were held in Bijelo Polje, followed by workshops in Podgorica for the central and southern regions.

Yesterday, we also held a focused session with the working group preparing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Montenegrin police, an important step toward strengthening institutional processes.

Participants explored key elements of effective financial investigations, including:
🔹 the Slovenian legislative framework (ZOPNI) and prosecutorial leadership
🔹 early identification of financial elements in police work
🔹 practical case-based insights and police–prosecution cooperation
🔹 challenges in practice and priorities for 2026

The activities were carried out within the project “Strengthening capacities in the field of financial investigations in Montenegro (2025/2026)”, implemented with the support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Slovenian Ministry of Interior.

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Upcoming workshops in Montenegro: Strengthening capacities for financial investigations

Upcoming workshops in Montenegro: Strengthening capacities for financial investigations

20. 11. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Next week, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) is launching the first set of workshops in Montenegro as part of the project “Strengthening the capacities for financial investigations in Montenegro.” The workshops will take place on 26 November in Bijelo Polje and on 27 November in Podgorica, bringing together police officers and prosecutors from regional centres across the country.

Building on the findings of the needs analysis and the successful October study visit to Slovenia, the workshops will focus on strengthening the operational and institutional capacities of Montenegrin authorities involved in financial investigations. Participants and Slovenian experts will discuss:

  • good practices stemming from the Slovenian legislative framework (including ZOPNI),

  • the role of prosecutors in directing financial investigations,

  • practical case analysis based on real Slovenian investigations, with emphasis on overcoming bottlenecks,

    • early detection of financial elements in criminal cases and operational coordination between police and prosecution,

    • inter-institutional cooperation and shared challenges within the Montenegrin context.

    Each workshop includes a dedicated discussion session to identify current obstacles and training needs for 2026. A specialised working group will also convene in Podgorica to advance the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for financial investigations, a key next step of the project.

    These activities mark another important milestone in strengthening professional expertise and cooperation between Montenegrin institutions in the fight against organised crime, corruption, and money laundering.

    The project is implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) with the support of the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through Slovenian Aid & Partnerships, in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia.

    Youth Shaping the Danube Region: Reflections from Our Interactive Workshop at the 14th EUSDR Annual Forum

    Youth Shaping the Danube Region: Reflections from Our Interactive Workshop at the 14th EUSDR Annual Forum

    20. 11. 2025 | Danube, PR, Regional cooperation, Youth

    Young people across the Danube Region are stepping forward with ideas, motivation, and a strong desire to shape the future. This spirit was at the heart of our interactive workshop Youth Engagement and Active Citizenship in the Danube Region, held on 6 November 2025 during the 14th EUSDR Annual Forum in Sarajevo. Bringing together representatives of the Danube Youth Council, the Danube Youth Organizations Network, and the Enter:Change initiative, the workshop created a vibrant space for honest dialogue, shared experiences, and forward-looking proposals. Designed as a World Café, the session encouraged participants to rotate among discussion tables, exchange perspectives, and collectively explore how youth can play a meaningful role in democratic governance and regional cooperation.  

    Youth as Contributors Today — Not Only Tomorrow

     
    A strong message echoed throughout the room: young people are not passive observers. They are already contributing to shaping the Danube Region, and they want to be recognised as equal partners in decision-making. Participants highlighted why their involvement matters: they bring creativity, technological confidence, a long-term outlook, and the courage to challenge old patterns. They are open-minded, results-oriented, and motivated by a genuine sense of responsibility for the world around them. For many, meaningful participation is closely tied to trust in institutions and a belief that their voices can lead to real impact.  

    Building Stronger Youth Networks Across the Region

     
    Representatives from the Danube Youth Organizations Network reflected on the growth of youth-led initiatives and the importance of building stronger, more sustainable networks. They emphasised the value of improved visibility, alumni engagement, and new links between young people, local authorities, NGOs, and communities along the Danube. Better fundraising opportunities and shared purpose were also identified as essential elements for the network’s future development. The discussion reaffirmed the need for transnational cooperation — not only to connect young people, but also to create lasting partnerships and shared solutions to common challenges.  

    A New Generation of Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    The Enter:Change initiative shared insights from its work with young leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on leadership skills, democratic participation, anti-corruption, interethnic dialogue, and resilience to disinformation. Their central question — whether young leaders can pave a more cooperative political path — sparked reflections on the need for cultural change, institutional openness, and long-term support. Participants stressed that progress requires more accessible EU funding for emerging youth initiatives, stronger support for civil society, and wider opportunities that convince talented young people to remain engaged in their home communities rather than seeking prospects elsewhere.  

    Key Takeaways: What Young People Need to Thrive

    Across all discussions, several common themes emerged:
    • Meaningful involvement: Youth want more than symbolic participation; they want structured, long-term channels to influence decision-making.
    • Capacity-building: Leadership training, critical thinking, communication skills, and digital literacy are essential tools for empowered citizenship.
    • Cross-border cooperation: Mobility, exchange, and shared learning strengthen connections and help address regional challenges together.
    • Supportive ecosystems: Youth-led initiatives need sustained funding, mentorship, and visibility — not isolated, short-term projects.
    The workshop’s outcomes reflect the priorities and aspirations of young people across the Danube Region  

    Looking Ahead

    The enthusiasm and maturity demonstrated by the workshop participants confirmed once again that youth are ready to contribute — not only to the future, but to the present of the Danube Region. Their perspectives are essential for building trust, strengthening governance, and enhancing cooperation across borders. As Priority Area 10, we remain committed to supporting youth engagement, creating opportunities for dialogue, and working together with our partners to ensure that young people continue to shape the direction of the Danube Region. More about Priority Area 10