24. 11. 2025 | POTC, PR
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
POTC’s 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 training will take place at Jable Castle in Loka pri Mengšu, Slovenia, from 23 to 27 February 2026, with individual e-learning planned before arriving to the training.
Purpose of the Training: The training aims to boost operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate a gender perspective into CSDP and international missions and operations.
Target Audience: This program is tailored for up to 20 civilian experts, police officers, and military personnel—either currently deployed or preparing for deployment in international missions. Ideal participants include mid-level military officials, civilians (including police), and diplomats from EU Member States, EU institutions, and relevant agencies. It is 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 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 training, 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 here.
Participants can apply only via the ESDC secure internet system ENLIST, by designated nominators, under https://esdc.europa.eu/enlist/login no later than 9 January 2026 (EXTENDED TO JANUARY 16). 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 the confirmed participants’ completion of the requested personal data in ENLIST.
For any additional questions regarding the application procedure, please contact both Fernando Angelo at [email protected] or Dimitrij Pahor at [email protected].
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24. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
On 23 September 2025, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) hosted the international webinar “Women Leading Local Recovery: Entrepreneurship, Empowerment & the Social Economy in Ukraine.” The event brought together Slovenian and Ukrainian experts, entrepreneurs, and local leaders to showcase how women are driving economic recovery through business leadership and the social economy.
Key messages from the event
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Women’s role in Ukraine’s economy is growing rapidly. In 2023, over 37,000 new businesses were launched in Ukraine, more than before the war. Women founded 56% of these new businesses. New enterprises are emerging in IT, e-commerce, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and creative industries (Ms Vira Savchenko, BDO Ukraine).
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Supportive environments make the difference. Slovenia’s example demonstrates that ecosystems comprising chambers of commerce, incubators, and women’s associations, combined with EU and national financial instruments, are crucial in supporting women entrepreneurs’ success (Ms Branka Aralica, Ona Ve).
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Challenges remain. Ukrainian women entrepreneurs continue to face obstacles such as limited access to credit, heavy compliance burdens, double caregiving roles, and the psychological toll of war. Yet, they persist and innovate, creating grassroots solutions.
Panellists shared practical insights and examples, with Ms Olena Kucheruk (NGO Shift and Promka) sharing the story of establishing a business anew as an IDP. Ms Yuliana Onischuk (Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation) reminded participants that resilience means daring to try, and Ms Maryna Saprykina (U&WE Hub) underlined the importance of women taking up leadership roles and stepping forward with confidence. Ms Yuliia Posternak (Kulykivka Hromada) pointed to the need for balance between local self-government and business as the foundation for strong communities.
As highlighted during the opening, women in Ukraine are not only rebuilding businesses but also creating new ones, contributing to local economies, breaking stereotypes, and serving as mentors. Strengthening their role is a long-term investment in resilience, sustainability, and growth.
This webinar was part of CEP’s Programme on Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine, particularly Pillar III – Economy, which focuses on improving local business environments, promoting entrepreneurship, and connecting Slovenian and Ukrainian actors for sustainable recovery.
The event was organised with the support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in cooperation with the EBA – European Business Association, with a special thanks to Ms Kateryna Prysiazhniuk and the U-LEAD with Europe programme.
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. 3. 2023 | POTC, PR
The past week, POTC successfully organised the 3-day Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations and Missions training course, which officially concluded on April 23. This was the fifth edition of the training under the auspices of POTC.
Klikni tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
Participants from Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe were engaged in a stimulating multi-day training course that aimed to inform and educate about gender equality and gender mainstreaming in international missions and operations.
The focus of the gender mainstreaming course was primarily on:
- learning and understanding the concept of gender, sexual differences, biological and social determinants
- knowing and understanding the different consequences and outcomes that gender identity and sexual orientation have on people living in conflict zones
- getting to know the international legal framework that ensures gender equality in international operations and missions
- learning about the concrete tools and approaches for gender mainstreaming in international missions and operations
- practical mission knowledge from experienced trainers on the topic
The lecturers and participants all contributed to a fruitful and informative course that will hopefully impact peace operations and other areas of work in a positive and balancing manner.
We wish to thank everyone involved and look forward to our next courses!
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