10. 10. 2025 | POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) has successfully concluded its UN-certified Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training, held from October 6–10, 2025, at Jable Castle in Mengeš. This intensive five-day programme equipped participants with critical skills and knowledge to uphold the protection of civilians in conflict zones, humanitarian crises, and peace missions and operations.
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The CPoC training brought together future and current peace personnel as well as policymakers to strengthen their capacity in safeguarding vulnerable populations. Key focus areas included:
- understanding the international humanitarian and human rights laws governing PoC, including UN and EU mission mandates.
- practical tools & skills: training in effective PoC strategies, risk assessment, and response mechanisms in high-threat environments,
- climate change and protecting civilians in conflict,
- hybrid threats and the protection of civilians,
- a whole-day tabletop exercise where participants put their new skills and knowledge to the test.
The programme emphasised real-world applicability, ensuring participants left with actionable insights for deployment in international missions and crisis management roles.
The Protection of Civilians (PoC) remains a cornerstone of humanitarian law, addressing threats such as physical violence, forced displacement, sexual violence, and denial of essential resources. This training reinforced the shared responsibility of states, international organisations, and non-state actors to uphold human dignity in conflict settings.
POTC remains committed to expanding access to specialised training and will announce future editions of the training in 2026.
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11. 12. 2024 | Peace and security, POTC, PR
OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – deadline 17 January 2025 – EXTENDED TO 24 JANUARY
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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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2. 2. 2024 | Peace and security, POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is set to conduct the second edition of the specialised training programme on the topic of climate security from May 20th to May 22nd, 2024, at Jable Castle in Slovenia. This climate security comprehensive course aims to address the critical intersections between climate change, security, and global peace efforts.
Recognising climate change as a security issue and a significant global threat multiplier, POTC developed an extensive training program in 2023, covering the various impacts of climate change on peace and security worldwide. The 2024 edition will build upon the pilot delivery, incorporating subject matter changes to provide an updated and enhanced learning experience. The training is specifically tailored to meet the needs of allied and partner countries deploying personnel to peacekeeping missions and operations.
Learning objectives for participants include gaining an understanding of the main environmental and climate issues related to global security, recognising climate and environmental elements in conflict and post-conflict situations, exploring the international legal framework regarding climate change, and understanding the role of water infrastructure as a global security issue. The program will also delve into environmental issues affecting host countries of missions, adaptation and mitigation strategies in field missions, and the gender dimensions in climate-related conflicts.
The target audience for this climate security training is comprised of civilian experts, police, and military personnel actively involved or planning to participate in international missions or operations. Country prioritisation will guide the selection process, with priority given to citizens of the largest Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCC) to UN missions and operations from Africa.
Interested individuals can apply for participation until March 24th, 2024, through an online form. POTC will conduct a selection process, and participants will be notified of their selection by April 1st, 2024. The working language of the training is English, therefore fluency in English is required.
Attendance throughout the entire three-day program is mandatory to receive a Certificate of Participation. Participants are expected to arrive no later than Sunday, May 19th, and are encouraged to extend their stay for the Africa Day Conference on May 22nd-23rd.
POTC will help with entry into Slovenia for EU citizens and those with bilateral agreements, while non-EU citizens are responsible for processing their visa requests. Accommodation will be provided free of charge, with local transport, meals, and other refreshments covered by POTC. Financial support also includes reimbursement of travel expenses up to a certain amount.
Registration of Interest Form: JotForm LINK
Information Pack: PDF LINK
For additional information, interested individuals can reach out to: [email protected]
POTC’s commitment to addressing climate-related security risks underscores its dedication to preparing peace operations personnel for the evolving challenges in international peace and security.
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Cover photo: United Nations by Harandane Dicko
30. 1. 2024 | Peace and security, POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) and the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) have joined forces to organise a training course titled “A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations.” Scheduled from March 19-21 at Jable Castle with one extra day of self-paced eLearning, the program aims to enhance operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to integrate a gender perspective in international peace operations and missions.
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
The training course, developed based on the ESDC’s Activity Number 21 curriculum and POTC’s prior training activities, focuses on key learning objectives spanning knowledge, skills, and competence outcomes. Participants will gain insights into recognising the relevance of a gender perspective in peace operations, understanding international legal frameworks related to gender equality, and identifying security needs and perspectives of local populations in crisis or conflict environments.
The target audience for the program includes 20 civilian experts, police, and military personnel actively involved or planning to participate in international missions or operations. The course is open to middle-management military officials, civilians, police, and diplomats from EU Member States and institutions, as well as individuals interested in future participation in CSDP, NATO, OSCE, or UN missions.
The application process is open until February 29th, 2024, with a selection process conducted by POTC/ESDC. Notification of selection will be communicated by March 3rd, 2024. The working language of the training is English, and fluency in English is required.
Participation during the whole duration of the gender in operations training (3 full days at Jable Castle with approximately 10 hours of program/day and approximately 4 hours of the eLearning module
prior to the start of the training) is mandatory in order to receive a certificate of participation at the end of the training. Participants who are not from Slovenia are expected to arrive no later than Monday, 18th of March.
Accommodation will not be covered by POTC. However, upon request, POTC can assist with finding economic accommodation in Ljubljana, which is 15 minutes away from Jable Castle. Upon request, POTC can also assist with finding optimal local transport solutions for participants coming from outside of Slovenia.
Application of participants is through national nominators: List of ESDC Nominators (ENLIST system)
(JotForm LINK)
Tentative course programme: PDF LINK
For further information, interested individuals can contact: [email protected]
This comprehensive training initiative reflects the commitment of POTC and ESDC to advancing gender equality and mainstreaming in international peace operations and missions.
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17. 1. 2024 | EUCTI, Peace and security, POTC, PR
From January 8 to 12, POTC facilitated its first training activity of 2024: the Training of Trainers (ToT) in Windhoek, Namibia. The end result was the enhancement of skills of 18 individuals who are or will be engaged in international crisis management, training Namibian national personnel and part of international peace operations. The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) organised this training in collaboration with the Namibian International Women Peace Centre (NIWPC) with the support of the European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI).
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The ToT provided a platform for participants to delve into the practical application of learning theories, enhancing their ability to conduct impactful training sessions. Over the course, attendees honed their skills in crafting engaging training sessions, engaged in reflective practices to understand their unique training styles, and improved their delivery of course materials.
The POTC team and our trainers extend sincere appreciation for the warm welcome extended by our Namibian hosts and participants. The hospitality we experienced added a unique and enriching dimension to the training, creating an atmosphere conducive to productive learning and collaboration.
The organisers anticipate the success of participants and hope for continued cooperation in various fields, contributing to global peace and security efforts, as well as the development of training options in Namibia by local trainers. POTC believes that the skills and insights gained by the participants will undoubtedly contribute to the enhanced capabilities of Namibian personnel. The organisers look forward to witnessing the positive outcomes of this collaboration, fostering a legacy of cooperation and mutual understanding between Slovenia, the European Union and Namibia.
Pictures from the ToT are available on Flickr: ToT Namibia 2024
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