U-LEAD: with Europe

Green transition in Ukraine webinar series

27. 1. 2025 | Development (ODA), National communities, PR, Regional cooperation, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Centre for European Perspective is delighted to invite you to the webinar series on green transition!

The green transition refers to the shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in all sectors of society, including energy, transportation, and industry. The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of these efforts through policies like the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and the Fit for 55 package. These initiatives aim to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and foster a circular economy. Understanding these policies is important for local governments as they seek to align with EU standards, secure funding, and implement green practices at the municipal level.

Despite the ongoing conflict, the reconstruction process has started – with Ukraine working towards a sustainable reconstruction. Learning more about the possibilities the EU offers is helpful for local authorities involved in the reconstruction and recovery process.

This webinar series, organised with expert support from the Štajerska Chamber of Commerce, will provide you with the basics of green transition and EU policies, funding opportunities, and practical strategies for green public procurement for Ukrainian municipalities.

Webinar Series Programme

Green Deal, REPowerEU, Fit for 55, Circular Economy Action Plan
– What is it all about?
– What does it have to do with Ukraine?
Date: 30 January 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
EU Funding for Green Transition – Where, How, and What?
– Opportunities for Ukraine
– List of Relevant Calls for Application
Date: 6 February 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
Green Public Procurement I
– Basics
– Challenges & Opportunities
Date: 13 February 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
Green Public Procurement II
– Good Practice Examples
– How to Implement in Ukraine
Date: 20 February 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 CET

REGISTER HERE!

The activities are funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships.

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