IMPROVING SKILLS TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE

COMING UP:

Environmental Peacebuilding Training (with the Geneva Water Hub)
September 30-October 4, 2024

Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (UN-certified) 
[Financial Support Available]
October 21-25, 2024

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 2022

      POTC Photo Gallery

      Site Navigation

      Latest News

      Call for applications: Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training 2024 – October 21-25, 2024

      CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOW OPEN (CLICK HERE) - deadline 3 September 2024. Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. This course focuses on the protection of civilians (PoC), by addressing the responsibilities of states, international organizations, and...

      Usposabljanje uslužbencev Ministrstva za obrambo in Slovenske vojske o nevarnostih trgovine z ljudmi pred odhodom na operacije in misije v podporo miru (ODPOVEDANO)

      Click here to read this article in English. POTC v sodelovanju z Ministrstvom za notranje zadeve organizira usposabljanje o nevarnostih trgovine z ljudmi pred odhodom na operacije in misije v podporo miru, ki se bo odvilo 10. septembra 2024 na Gradu Jable v Mengšu....

      Surviving Hostile Environments: HEAT 2024 Successfully Concluded

      HEAT 2024 – in the first week of June, the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), operating within the Centre for European Perspective, held the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). The intense training took place at the Gotenica Police Training Centre....

      Successful Conclusion of the pilot Personal Security Training for Diplomatic Staff held on May 29th, 2024

      Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) je v sodelovanju z Ministrstvom za zunanje in evropske zadeve, Oddelkom za varnostno načrtovanja v Službi za varnost, nepremičnine in logistiko uspešno izvedel pilotno Varnostno usposabljanje za diplomatsko osebje, ki je...

      Slovenia Prioritises Climate Security in Peace Operations

      Slovenia reaffirmed its commitment to global peace efforts with the successful conclusion of the "Climate Change, Peace and Security" training programme held between May 20 and 22 at Jable Castle. Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. The Peace...

      The Cultural Heritage Protection Online Workshop for EUM Armenia and EUMM Georgia will be held on April 25

      Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku. The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), in partnership with the European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI), is excited to announce an upcoming Cultural Heritage Protection (CHP) Online Workshop,...

      The Personal Security Training for Diplomatic Staff will take place at Jable Castle on May 29th

      Varnostno usposabljanje za diplomatsko osebje se bo odvilo 29. maja na Gradu Jable Click here to read this article in English. Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) v sodelovanju z Oddelkom za varnostno načrtovanja v Službi za varnost, nepremičnine in logistiko...

      Call for Applications Open: Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) of 2024

      The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organising a Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). The course will take place at the Gotenica Police Training Centre in Slovenia from Sunday, 2nd to Friday, 7th, June, 2024. Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v...

      ESDC Cooperation on “A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations” Training Comes to a Successful End at Jable Castle

      Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), in cooperation with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), successfully delivered the training activity "A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations." It ran from March 19-21 at Jable Castle, with an extra day...

      Reflecting on the »Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations and Missions« Training held in Mongolia

      Last week, the Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations and Missions training programme, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from March 11-15, 2024, came to an end. Organised by the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) and supported by the European Union Civilian...