2. 3. 2026 | POTC, PR
POTC’s gender mainstreaming 5-day training programme was successfully delivered. The training took place at Jable Castle in Slovenia. A total of 19 participants took part, and 8 lecturers/trainers delivered the training programme. The training was delivered in cooperation with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
The programme was tailored for up to 20 civilian experts, police officers, and military personnel, either currently deployed or preparing for deployment to international missions. It was also open to individuals from third countries who are involved in, or plan to join, CSDP, NATO, OSCE, or UN missions, or who are assigned to roles in fragile states.
The training aimed to boost the operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate a gender perspective into CSDP and international missions and operations. The aim of the training was achieved through our expert speakers/trainers from Slovenia, the Netherlands, Finland, and Kenya.
The certificates were handed to the participants by Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Slovenian Ambassador-at-Large for Women, Peace and Security.
POTC would like to thank everyone who helped realise the training: the speakers, participants, and institutional partners, especially the European Security and Defence College and the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) of Kenya.
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18. 3. 2025 | Peace and security, POTC, PR
The Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations training, held at Jable Castle in Slovenia from 10 to 14 March 2025, was successfully completed by 14 participants from 8 different countries. The training was delivered in cooperation between the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) and the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
During the five-day training programme, participants from various professional backgrounds worked on topics such as:
• Gender mainstreaming,
• Gender roles and power structures within the local context,
• Normative and legal frameworks and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda,
• Vulnerable groups in conflict and conflict-related gender-based violence,
• The gender dimension in human trafficking,
• The gender dimension in the climate-security nexus,
• Gender mainstreaming in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions,
• Experiences from international missions and operations, including the roles of gender and protection advisers and gender focal points in peace operations, and
• Individual contributions to gender mainstreaming.
The overall objective of the training was to enhance operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate a gender perspective in CSDP and international missions and operations.
POTC would like to thank the trainers and ESDC for their excellent cooperation, and especially all participants, who significantly contributed to the successful delivery of the training through their high level of engagement, active participation, and insightful discussions.
Photo highlights from the training:
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24. 2. 2025 | HEAT, Peace and security, POTC, PR
The winter edition of the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), organised by the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) under the aegis of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), was successfully delivered at the Gotenica Police Training Centre in Slovenia from February 16th to February 21st, 2025.
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
This comprehensive training programme aimed to equip civilians deployed in peace missions and operations abroad with the necessary skills to navigate potentially dangerous working conditions and hazardous situations.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including threat awareness, medical help, orientation, communications, and mobility. Participants engaged in both classroom sessions and practical field exercises, such as 4×4 driving, evacuation planning, and stress management. The course also addressed critical areas like awareness of weapons, mines, and unexploded ordnance (UXOs), as well as kidnap analysis and hostage survival techniques.
The highlight of the training was the Thursday simulation exercise, which allowed participants to apply the knowledge they had gained throughout the week. These scenarios encompassed various challenges that might be encountered in conflict areas, providing a hands-on learning experience that is invaluable for those working in high-risk environments.
The training would not have been possible without the dedication of representatives from the Slovenian Police and Armed Forces and the participation of a diverse group of background players. The staff of the training centre also made sure that the training ran smoothly and aided us when needed.
Overall, HEAT 2025 was a success, empowering participants with the tools and confidence needed to operate effectively in hostile environments. We wish the participants the best of luck in their future endeavours.
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12. 12. 2024 | HEAT, POTC, PR
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 16th to 21st of February 2025.
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
This training activity contributes to security and situational awareness, reinforces a safety and security awareness mindset, and develops confidence in hostile situations. In addition, the training provides guidance on individual and team behaviour to help deter, detect and react during and after threatening events, thus increasing the overall personal safety and security of participants while serving in hostile environments. This year’s HEAT will be conducted in a winter environment.
Up to 20 professionals with different backgrounds, working or aiming to work with national or international (non-)governmental organisations, academic or private sector are eligible to apply for participation in the training.
The participants will join an experienced group of Slovenian and foreign trainers for a five-day intensive course in the southwestern part of Slovenia. The training is designed to:
• improve participants’ knowledge about multiple threats present in hostile field environments and learn how to deal with them in an effective manner;
• rehearse and practice safety and security procedures according to specific threats;
• develop skills and behaviours to deal with different stressful situations.
Activities include e-learning prior to the in-person training, lectures, guided discussions, role-playing, simulations, and a complex field training exercise. Trainees will be addressing deployment in hostile environments (threat awareness, management of various threats, etc.), medical help, orientation, communications, mobility, etc.
Apply to the training activity here: REGISTRATION FORM
The deadline for submitting the application is January 10th, 2025. The selection of participants is done by POTC and ESDC after the deadline, and both selected and unselected applicants will be notified.
You can find all the information regarding the registration process and the training delivery here.
Link to Goalkeeper Schoolmaster – Published Course.
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11. 12. 2024 | Peace and security, POTC, PR
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 European Security and Defence College (ESDC). The residential part of the course will take place at Jable Castle in Loka pri Mengšu, Slovenia, from 10 to 14 March 2025, with individual e-learning planned before arriving to the training.
The primary objective of the training is to enhance operational effectiveness by providing participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate a gender perspective in CSDP and international missions and operations.
The course is designed for up to 25 civilian experts, police and military personnel, deployed or planning to be deployed to international missions or operations. Participants should be middle management military officials, civilians including police, and diplomats from EU Member States and EU institutions and relevant agencies who are assigned to or interested in participating in (future) CSDP, NATO, OSCE or UN missions or operations, or who are to be assigned to a position in a fragile state. The course is open to third countries.
The working language of the training will be English, and no translation services will be provided.
Attendance is free of charge for all selected participants (no tuition fee).
Sending authorities need to cover all costs for their participants’ travel and accommodation (including breakfast) during the residential part of the course.
During the course, POTC will cover the costs for:
– daily local transport (bus) between the designated hotel and the course venue;
– all costs connected with attending any social/cultural event;
– lunch, beverages and other refreshments provided during the training course at Jable castle.
More information can be found in the Invitation Letter.
Participants can apply only via the ESDC secure internet system ENLIST, by designated nominators, under https://esdc.europa.eu/enlist/login no later than 24 January 2025. A list with relevant ENLIST nominators can be retrieved from the ESDC website at https://esdc.europa.eu/nominators/. Registration will not be final until confirmed by the ESDC Secretariat and upon completion of the requested personal data in ENLIST by the confirmed participants.
For any additional questions regarding the application procedure, please contact both Esther (ESDC) at [email protected] and Danaja (POTC) at [email protected].
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