HEAT 2026 Successfully Completed in Gotenica

HEAT 2026 Successfully Completed in Gotenica

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From 8 to 13 March 2026, the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) and the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) successfully co-organised the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) at the Gotenica Police Training Centre. A total of 20 participants from diverse professional backgrounds successfully completed the five-day training in the southwestern part of Slovenia (HEAT 2026).

Throughout the week, participants strengthened their security and situational awareness, reinforced a strong safety mindset, and built confidence in handling hostile situations. The programme combined e-learning modules prior to arrival with in-person lectures, guided discussions, role-playing, simulations, and a complex field training exercise. Participants tackled topics such as threat awareness, threat management, medical response, orientation, communication, mobility, and deployment in hostile environments. A strong focus was placed on practical rehearsals of safety and security procedures and on developing the right behaviours to respond effectively under stress.

The training would not have been possible without the dedication, professionalism, and energy of the Slovenian and international trainers who guided participants through demanding and realistic scenarios. A big thank you to all of them for sharing their expertise and experience.

Congratulations to all 20 participants for their commitment, teamwork, and resilience throughout the week. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this training in future missions and deployments.

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Gender Mainstreaming Training Delivered in Cooperation with ESDC

Gender Mainstreaming Training Delivered in Cooperation with ESDC

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).

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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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