14. 11. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
14 November, Drohobych, Ukraine – Today, we have marked a significant step in cooperation between Drohobych Urban Hromada and Municipality Hrastnik.
The signing was celebrated with a discussion on inter-municipal cooperation and a public discussion on the role of local communities and international partnerships in supporting Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding efforts, with the signing and the accompanying activities in Drohobych organised under the auspices of the project “Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Ukraine”. The project is supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovenia Aid and Partnerships Programme) and implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in Slovenia in partnership with the EU Programme U-LEAD with Europe implemented by GIZ Germany.
Signing on behalf of Municipality Hrastnik was Mr Marko Funkl, Mayor Hrastnik. Slovenian Ambassador to Ukraine, H.E. Ms Mateja Prevolšek, and representatives of U-LEAD with Europe Programme also attended the activities marking this significant step in the cooperation between the two municipalities.
The partnership between Hrastnik and Drohobych dates to 2021, when the first contacts were made under the U-LEAD with Europe framework, with initial cooperation plans focused on youth, culture, and tourism. At the outbreak of war, Hrastnik’s citizens showed their solidarity by sending significant humanitarian aid directly to Drohobych. The ongoing project with CEP has deepened the partnership, allowing for the development of concrete project plans, including equipping a rehabilitation centre in Drohobych and providing essential medical equipment to the local hospital. The cooperation will also aim to collaborate on enhancing the local and regional tourism sector in Drohobych, which will further strengthen our partnership through new joint ventures. Becoming a sister city has strengthened cooperation on multiple levels for years.
25. 7. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
Članek v slovenskem jeziku najdete tu.
Kranj, 24 July 2024 — The three-week mentorship visit of the Ukrainian municipality of Novovolynsk concluded today in the City of Kranj. The event marked the culmination of three weeks of collaboration and experience exchange between the two municipalities.
City of Kranj Mayor Matjaž Rakovec emphasized in his opening speech that the first cooperation between Kranj and Ukraine dates back to 2021, stating: »City of Kranj had its first cooperation with Ukraine in 2021, together with the [now] ex-ambassador we set a statue of Taras Shevchenko, a Ukrainian poet, in the Avenue of Prešeren’s Contemporaries. Last year, together with the Ukrainian Embassy, Kranj hosted a Ukrainian cultural event for the Independence Day of Ukraine. The mentorship program with Novovolynsk is another example of good cooperation – an aim to progress and develop. This programme was an opportunity to gain new perspectives and skills. Dear mentees, Inna and Anatolii, I hope the new knowledge will help you achieve your goals. Thank you for your dedicated work and good cooperation. Let the future be bright.«
The municipality of Novovolynsk participated in the event online. The Mayor of Novovolynsk, Borys Karpus, visited Kranj on July 10 and signed a mentorship cooperation protocol with Mayor Rakovec. He thanked the City of Kranj and everyone involved in organizing the visit for their hospitality and for providing opportunities for cooperation and development.
On behalf of the visit organizer, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), Nina Čepon, CEP Executive Director, addressed the gathering, highlighting that local communities in Ukraine are key players in recovery and reconstruction. She also emphasized Slovenia’s thematic advantage from our experience in post-war recovery, local development, and the EU accession process, as well as the extensive food practice of the City of Kranj.
Ukrainian mentees then presented their three-week visit and the project plans prepared during the visit. Inna Vykhor, a deputy of the Novovolynsk City Council and chair of the permanent committee on education, science, culture, youth, sports, and information policy, presented the NovoHUB project concept. This project focuses on vocational, business, and educational training, reflecting a shift in their project focus after visiting Kovačnica, BSC Kranj, and the School Centre Kranj. The main objective of the project is to ensure a qualified and sufficient labour force, securing jobs for citizens and long-term economic growth of Novovolynsk. The purpose is to renovate vacant buildings to introduce new vocational, business, and educational programs. The target group includes residents, internally displaced persons, redundant coal mine workers, and people from Donetsk. The project aims to address the challenges of a lack of skilled labour force for local enterprises, access to quality and safe education for internally displaced persons, and the lack of a business support ecosystem. Anatolii Dudik, Chief Specialist of the Department for Organizing the Provision of Administrative Services at the Center for Administrative Services of the Executive Committee of the Novovolynsk City Council, presented the Novo Open app. This app focuses on the digitalization of city information, increasing digital citizen participation in local development, and presenting Novovolynsk to tourists. The project aims to provide free, open, and participative access to information and services in Novovolynsk. Mentors from the City of Kranj, Maja Šavs and Mojca Finc, presented the mentorship aspect and provided more information about the work of City of Kranj and Kranj’s institutions involved in the mentorship.
In the concluding part, Ambassador Tomaž Mencin, National Coordinator for the reconstruction of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, greeted the gathering. He emphasized that the decentralization reform in Ukraine is crucial and progressing well, focusing on empowering local municipalities, and stated that Slovenia agrees with the European Union’s request for financial instruments to support decentralized governance in Ukraine. Natalia Markevych Pritsa, Deputy Head of Mission at the Ukrainian Embassy in Slovenia, expressed gratitude to Slovenia for its role in the reconstruction process and hope for the project’s success. Mag Blaž Masle, Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Slovenian Embassy in Kyiv, praised the good cooperation between Slovenia and Ukraine and confirmed the embassy’s readiness to assist further.
Following the visit, CEP activities will focus on areas identified as needing additional attention. Webinars will involve more Novovolynsk municipality employees. In the next steps, CEP will provide concrete support in implementing the local reconstruction and development plan of Novovolynsk.
A heartfelt thank you for enriching the mentorship programme goes to the City of Kranj, Kovačnica Coworking, BSC Kranj, Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska Biotehniški center Naklo, Iskraemeco, Vincenc Draksler Foundation, School Centre Kranj, Centre of Sustainable Mobility Kranj, TIC Kranj, and more.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project is funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships and implemented in partnership with ‘U-LEAD with Europe’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
12. 6. 2024 | local self-government, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine
“When we talk about Ukraine’s recovery, we talk about the recovery of the future new EU member state” (Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, in his opening address at the URC 2024 in Berlin).
Ukrainian local communities represent a key driving force for Ukraine’s successful recovery and sustainable development. The Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin highlighted the role of these municipalities.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, Slovenia has been offering assistance and support to Ukraine. The support has resulted in long-term sustainable partnerships based on solidarity and friendship, with Slovenia offering its valuable experience as Ukraine continues its path towards the EU, with the Slovenian government announcing the allocation of an additional 5 million € to Ukrainian recovery.
We are proud to announce the release of our publication, “Slovenia Supporting Ukrainian Communities: Integrating Reconstruction with Local Development”, highlighting the Slovenian contribution and opportunities for future cooperation in the recovery, reconstruction and EU integration of Ukraine.
Authors: Dr Janez Šušteršič, Ms Jelka Klemenc and Mr Jurij Kobal.
You can find the publication here.
31. 1. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe
Today, we hosted a final event of the third mentorship visit under the auspices of the project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ at Jable Castle.
The mentorship visit between Kočevje and Bucha, focusing on enhancing Bucha’s capacities in project writing and project management and development of a business-friendly environment with the help of experts, mentors and representatives from Kočevje municipality and business sectors, took place between 17 January and 1 February 2023 in Kočevje, Slovenija.
Opening the final event at Jable was Ms Nina Čepon, CEP Executive Director, introducing the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships project activities, commending the efforts of Bucha mentees for their work over the three weeks, and indicating further possible fields of cooperation with Kočevje and CEP. She thanked all involved organisations for their support of project activities, ensuring activities are well structured, aimed at needs expressed by Ukrainian municipalities and aiding reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Addressing the participants was also the mayor of the municipality of Bucha, Mr Anatolii Fedoruk, who thanked his Bucha colleagues and all involved in the project for the effort and work during these three weeks. He expressed the gratitude of the entire Bucha community to Kočevje municipality for all their efforts and extended hand of support, reaffirming that the support is not taken for granted and the willingness to work towards stronger cooperation is ever strong.
Dr Vladimir Prebilič, mayor of Kočevje, commended the work and the willingness of Bucha municipality to work towards a stronger business support system in the municipality, offered support of Kočevje, stating the intent of Kočevje to pursue and sign a sister city agreement and continue to good cooperation – possibly with the organisation of a summer camp for children from Bucha in Kočevje.
Joining the mentorship in Kočevje were Ms Tetiana Lipinska, Head of the Sector for Economic Development at the Bucha City Council, and Mr Andrii Melnyk, Project Manager in the Sector for Economic Development of Bucha City Council, who were mentored by the municipality of Kočevje mentors, Mr Andrej Mladenovič, Deputy Mayor of Kočevje and Ms Lili Štefanič, Director of Municipal Administration of Kočevje.
In the first week, mentees focused their attention on needs assessment, followed by the basics of project management, project writing and project funding and began preparing a frame for a project they wish to implement in Bucha, within the Bucha Techno Garden, with the help of expert Mr Klemen Srna.
The second week focused on the establishment of a business-friendly environment, with the municipality of Kočevje preparing a rich side programme for mentees, with visits to the Kočevje business incubator, where Bucha mentees learned more about the cooperation between the municipality, incubator, businesses in the region, educational institutions and more. Discussion with Ribnica Kočevje Regional Development Agency highlighted the areas of possible support of such an organisation to businesses. On Thursday and Friday, two more side visits were held – a visit to ABC Hub and Accelerator in Ljubljana, where the activities of the Hub and their coworking space were presented, and a visit to Dolenjske Toplice spa, where the director, Ms Lazič presented the activities of Terme Krka complex, the rehabilitation and medical programme of the spa and subsequent effect the spa had on the development of the area.
The third week focused on the preparation of a project concept for the development of the Bucha business incubator. Mentees were aided by Mrs Slavka Zupan and Mr Klemen Srna and prepared a well-elaborated concept. Mentors Mr Srna and Ms Zupan also shared some thoughts on project evaluation and searching for investors and prepared a short overview of possible funding options.
The mentorship concluded today with an internal debrief between CEP, external experts Mr Srna and Mrs Zupan, mentor Mr Mladenovič and mentees, followed by a public presentation of the mentorship and project plans prepared with the help of new knowledge gained during the mentorship, which will be elaborated and finalized during the project until the end of 2024.
Joining the closing event were also the representative of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Ms Nataša Kos, Minister Plenipotentiary, who commended the successful activities of the mentorship and reaffirmed the support of Slovenia to Ukraine, and H.E Mr Andrii Taran, Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia, who commended the work of Bucha mentees and expressed his gratitude for the Slovenian support to Ukraine. Joining the event was also Dr Andrej Horvat, Deputy Director of U-LEAD with Europe Programme at GIZ, who expressed his support for project activities and emphasised the need for stronger support to efforts in Ukraine. Ms Nataša Goršek Mencin, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia, reaffirmed the support of the European Commission to Ukrainian recovery efforts through the Ukraine Facility mechanism.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project is funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships and implemented in partnership with ‘U-LEAD with Europe’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Poland, Denmark and Slovenia, to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
17. 1. 2024 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe
Mentees from Bucha, representatives of the Municipality of Kočevje and CEP have kicked off the three-week mentorship under the auspices of the project ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ in Kočevje today.
The mentorship visit, taking place between 17 and 31 January, is the continuation of the visit of Bucha Urban Hromada representatives in October 2023 and means the development of the cooperation formalised by signing the cooperation agreement on 2 October. The visit to Kočevje, hosted by the Municipality of Kočevje, was opened by CEP Senior Advisor Ms Jelka Klemenc and Kočevje Mayor Dr Vladimir Prebilič, who presented the work of Kočevje to Bucha representatives and wished that the representative use the time in Kočevje to gain as much knowledge as possible to implement in Bucha. An intensive three-week working programme was prepared to contribute to transferring targeted and needs-based knowledge and deliver sustainable results, working toward a long-term partnership between the municipalities.
The opening session was followed by the first interactive workshop on project management, development strategy preparation, and fund absorption, one of the main topics of the mentorship that will contribute to strengthening Bucha’s institutional capacities. Joining us from Bucha are Ms Tetiana Lipinska, Head of the Department of Economic Development and Investments of Bucha City Council and Mr Andrii Melnyk, Project Manager from the Department of Economic Development and Investments of Bucha City Council, who will receive knowledge of Kočevje’s experience and good practice on business development, investor attraction and development of business incubator. With the assistance of CEP, the visit will work on kick-starting the development of strategy, focusing on establishing a business-friendly environment, culminating in the development of Bucha Techno Garden.
With a rich side programme, Kočevje will also present its business environment, successfully implemented projects and more.
The ‘Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine’ project is funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships and implemented in partnership with ‘U-LEAD with Europe’. U-LEAD with Europe programme is a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union, and its member states Germany, Sweden, Poland and Slovenia to support the establishment of multi-level governance that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the population of Ukraine.
