IMPROVING SKILLS TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE

COMING UP:

Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) 2025
February 16-21, 2025

A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations (Call for Applications Open)
March 10-14, 2025

The entire 2025 POTC Work Programme is incoming.

About POTC

The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) of Slovenia delivers training activities for military, police, and civilian personnel of our three overseeing ministries and for other civilian experts who can be deployed to peace operations and missions within the UN, EU, NATO and OSCE umbrella. As contemporary security challenges are becoming ever more complex, integration of different methodologies and a multidimensional approach are needed to equip future mission members with the necessary skills and expertise. POTC, as an interdepartmental training centre, provides such comprehensive trainings.

Organisation and implementation of trainings for participation in peacekeeping operations and missions would not be possible without the support and cooperation of our three overseeing ministries: the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Ministry of Defence.

Organisational chart (click to enhance):

Our Mission

We offer specialised trainings for civilian personnel, police personnel and military personnel.

    • Climate Change, Peace and Security

    Recognising climate change as a security issue and a significant global threat multiplier, POTC developed an training programme in 2023, covering the various impacts of climate change on peace and security worldwide. POTC was one of the first training centre in Europe and the world to deliver this type of training activity. The next editions will build upon the pilot delivery, incorporating subject matter changes to provide an updated and enhanced learning experience.

    • Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (UN-Certified Training)

    In modern armed conflicts, civilian deaths often overtake those of soldiers and armed fighters. As of 2024, POTC holds a United Nations Certificate of Training Recognition for our Protection of Civilians training. This means that our training conforms to the UN pre-deployment standards. Protection of civilians is a broad topic touching on international law, human rights, conflict-related sex- and gender-based violence, minority rights, methodologies for protection of civilians from physical violence, etc.

    • Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)

    Being able to effectively deal with risk-associated and emergency/critical situations while deployed in hostile environments abroad is crucial for the well-being of a mission member and for the overall success of the mission as well. That is why we deliver intensive four-day courses for future mission members to deal effectively with risk-associated and emergency/critical situations while deployed in hostile environments abroad. The course is designed for individuals with little or no experience of working in conflict areas.

      • Cultural Heritage Protection

      Cultural heritage is a common good passed from previous generations, and threats to cultural heritage can be an indicator of underlying tensions. Trafficking presents a considerable source of financing for international crime and terrorism, so we are paying more attention to protecting heritage in the security sector as well.

      • Gender Mainstreaming/Gender in Operations

      Protection from discrimination on the basis of sex and gender is enshrined in the Slovenian constitution and equality between women and men is at the core of the foundational values of the EU and the UN. We equip training participants with knowledge and skills that help them engage and include women as stakeholders in the peace-building and peacekeeping process.

      • International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

      The International Humanitarian Law Training equips peace personnel with the knowledge to comply with legal obligations, protect human rights, and prevent war crimes in conflict zones. This training enhances mission effectiveness, promotes accountability, and ensures peacekeepers’ actions align with ethical and international legal standards.

      • Training of Trainers (ToT)

      Dissemination of knowledge and teaching are skills which a lot of security experts still lack. Training of Trainers aims to develop the didactic, pedagogical, and technical skills of participants who will assume trainer roles in international missions and operations, in order to achieve the maximum effect when transferring knowledge and skills. It is tailored to specific peace and security contexts.

      List of Training Activities

      WORK PROGRAMME 2025

      Partial programme:

      The entire Work Programme for 2025 is incoming.

      Work Programme 2022

      Site Navigation

      Latest News

      Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), 16-21 February 2025

      The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), under the aegis of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), is organising a Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). The training will take place at the Gotenica Police Training Centre in Slovenia from Sunday...

      A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations – 10 – 14 March 2024, Slovenia

      OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – deadline 17 January 2025 - EXTENDED TO 24 JANUARY Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. The Gender in Operations 5-day training programme will be delivered in cooperation between the Peace Operations Training Center and the...

      Stratcom Pilot Training Successfully Implemented at POTC

      From 3 to 6 December 2024, POTC implemented a Stratcom Pilot Training at Jable Castle in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia. The first edition of the training on strategic communication in the context of international operations and missions took...

      Strengthening the cooperation between Slovenia and Mongolia through training – successful completion of the »Gender Mainstreaming in UN Peace Operations and Missions« for Mongolian Armed Forces personnel

      Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) successfully delivered “Gender Mainstreaming in UN Peace Operations and Missions” training, which took place between 18 and 28 November 2024. A comprehensive 10-day training...

      Seminar on Disruptive Military Technologies and Practices Concludes

      On Wednesday, November 27, the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) organised the third edition of the training activity on disruptive military technologies and practices. The training took place in the Knight's Hall of Jable Castle in Mengeš. Kliknite tukaj za...

      Successful completion of the UN-certified Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Training

      Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. Twenty participants successfully completed the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Training, held from 21 to 25 October at Jable Castle. The training was conducted in cooperation with the European Security and...

      New Training Activity: Strategic Communication (StratCom) in the Contemporary Security Environment

      From 3 to 6 December 2024, we will hold the first edition of the training on strategic communication (StratCom) in the context of international operations and missions at Jable Castle, Slovenia. Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. Technological...

      Strengthening Cooperation: Training on Gender Mainstreaming for the Mongolian Armed Forces

      From November 18 to 29, 2024, POTC will hold a comprehensive training activity at Jable Castle in Mengeš, Slovenia, on gender mainstreaming designed for the Mongolian Armed Forces as they prepare for deployment in UN peace missions and operations. Kliknite tukaj za...

      Third Edition of Disruptive Military Technologies and Practices Activity

      After two successful outings, the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organising the third edition of the activity on disruptive military technologies and practices. The seminar will take place on November 27, 2024, at Jable Castle in Mengeš. Kliknite tukaj za...

      Third Training on International Humanitarian and Criminal Law Successfully Completed

      The third edition of the training on International Humanitarian Law was held at Jable Castle on 7 and 8 October. The training on International Humanitarian and Criminal Law was organised in cooperation with the Slovenian Armed Forces Legal Department. Kliknite tukaj...