Upcoming workshops in Montenegro: Strengthening capacities for financial investigations

Upcoming workshops in Montenegro: Strengthening capacities for financial investigations

20. 11. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

Next week, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) is launching the first set of workshops in Montenegro as part of the project “Strengthening the capacities for financial investigations in Montenegro.” The workshops will take place on 26 November in Bijelo Polje and on 27 November in Podgorica, bringing together police officers and prosecutors from regional centres across the country.

Building on the findings of the needs analysis and the successful October study visit to Slovenia, the workshops will focus on strengthening the operational and institutional capacities of Montenegrin authorities involved in financial investigations. Participants and Slovenian experts will discuss:

  • good practices stemming from the Slovenian legislative framework (including ZOPNI),

  • the role of prosecutors in directing financial investigations,

  • practical case analysis based on real Slovenian investigations, with emphasis on overcoming bottlenecks,

    • early detection of financial elements in criminal cases and operational coordination between police and prosecution,

    • inter-institutional cooperation and shared challenges within the Montenegrin context.

    Each workshop includes a dedicated discussion session to identify current obstacles and training needs for 2026. A specialised working group will also convene in Podgorica to advance the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for financial investigations, a key next step of the project.

    These activities mark another important milestone in strengthening professional expertise and cooperation between Montenegrin institutions in the fight against organised crime, corruption, and money laundering.

    The project is implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) with the support of the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through Slovenian Aid & Partnerships, in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia.

    INVITATION – Ukrainian-Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere (10 Dec 2025, 10:00 CET)

    INVITATION – Ukrainian-Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere (10 Dec 2025, 10:00 CET)

    13. 11. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

    We kindly invite you to the

    Ukrainian–Slovenian Business Forum on Energy Sphere

     

    taking place on 10th December 2025 from 10:00–13:00 (CET)

     

    Location: ON-SITE – Jable Castle, Grajska cesta 1, 1234 Loka pri Mengšu (Slovenia) / ONLINE

     

    The event is held under the auspices of the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine Programme implemented by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SPIRIT, Slovenian Public Agency for Investments, Entrepreneurship and Internationalisation.

     

    The event will bring together companies from Ukraine and Slovenia (both on-site and online), along with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An additional side programme for Ukrainian delegations will be communicated shortly.

     

     Please, register online here: REGISTRATION FORM (Registration deadline: 1 Dec 2025)

      

    For any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us:

    Mr Oleg Rogoza, Project Manager (CEP), [email protected]

    Ms Nuša Blatnik, Project Assistant (CEP), [email protected]

     

    QUICK CONCEPT – PARTNERSHIPS FOR COOPERATION AND RECOVERY PROJECTS

    The ongoing transformation of the energy sector in Europe, coupled with the urgent need for reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, creates a unique opportunity for cross-border cooperation. Slovenia, as an EU member with strong expertise in renewable energy, energy efficiency, green transition, and sustainable infrastructure, can offer valuable partnerships to Ukrainian companies seeking technological know-how, investment support, and joint participation in EU- or Energy Community–financed projects.
    For Ukrainian energy enterprises and technology providers, this conference offers opportunities for joint project development that contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and integration into the European energy community, while for Slovenian companies, it offers an entry point into the Ukrainian market, access to European funding mechanisms for joint projects in the energy sphere in Ukraine.

    Event objectives
    • To facilitate partnerships between Ukrainian and Slovenian companies active in the energy sector and related industries;
    • To promote joint participation in EU- and Energy Community–financed projects, including green transition and recovery programs for Ukraine;
    • To inform participants about available financial and institutional support mechanisms in Slovenia and the EU;
    • To showcase innovative energy solutions, technologies, and services that can support Ukraine’s recovery and sustainable growth;
    • To create a long-term network for cooperation and project development in the energy sphere.

    Target audiences
    From Ukraine:
    • Energy companies, utilities, and grid operators;
    • Renewable energy developers (solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen);
    • Energy efficiency solution providers;
    • Engineering and technology firms;
    • Municipal energy agencies and project implementers.

    From Slovenia:
    • Companies in energy sector, incl. in renewable energy, smart grids, and clean technologies;
    • Consulting and engineering firms.

    Ukrainian companies are invited to present:
    • Their capabilities in the energy sector;
    • Partnership needs (technological, financial, or strategic);
    • Project ideas for which they seek Slovenian or EU partners.

    Slovenian companies are encouraged to:
    • Explore business opportunities in Ukraine’s energy recovery;
    • Identify reliable Ukrainian partners for EU-funded or bilateral projects;
    • Contribute to Europe’s green and resilient energy future through cooperation.

    Quick event timeline
    1. Opening of the event
    2. Keynote address
    3. Presentations on part of Ukrainian companies
    4. Presentations on part of Slovenian companies
    5. B2B (business-to-business opportunity)
    6. Networking lunch

    Upcoming mentorship visit of Municipality of Zarichne at the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica

    Upcoming mentorship visit of Municipality of Zarichne at the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica

    6. 11. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

    As part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, we are pleased to announce an upcoming mentorship visit of representatives from the Municipality of Zarichne (Ukraine) to the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica (Slovenia).

    The visit will take place from 19 to 28 November 2025. The main focus of the mentorship will be on public utilities, including water supply systems, waste management, road infrastructure, and sewerage. Additional topics will cover healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. The selected themes reflect the clearly defined needs and priorities of the Ukrainian partner municipality, identified during the previous phase of the project.

    The ‘Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine’ programme 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’. 

    Study visit in Slovenia – Strengthening Capacities in Financial Investigations in Montenegro

    Study visit in Slovenia – Strengthening Capacities in Financial Investigations in Montenegro

    13. 10. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

    From 14 to 17 October 2025, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) will host a study visit in Slovenia as part of the project “Strengthening Capacities in the Area of Financial Investigations in Montenegro.”

    The project aims to enhance the institutional and operational capacities of Montenegrin authorities in conducting financial investigations, tackling organised crime, and combating money laundering. The study visit will bring together representatives from the Ministry of Interior and Police of Montenegro, the Embassy of Montenegro in Slovenia, and their Slovenian counterparts, including the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, the Police, and other relevant institutions.

    Through a series of workshops, meetings, and field visits in Ljubljana and Celje, participants will exchange experiences and best practices in the areas of financial investigations, asset recovery, anti-corruption measures, and inter-institutional cooperation. The visit will also focus on developing practical approaches and preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support future operational work.

    This activity represents another important step in the long-term cooperation between Slovenia and Montenegro in strengthening the rule of law and improving the effectiveness of institutions in preventing and investigating financial crime.

    The project is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within the framework of Slovenia’s International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Programme (Slovenia Aid & Partnerships), in cooperation with the Slovenian Police and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Slovenia.

    Municipalities Lenart and Velika Polana sign memoranda on cooperation with communities Bibrka and Zymne

    Municipalities Lenart and Velika Polana sign memoranda on cooperation with communities Bibrka and Zymne

    22. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

    Today marked an important milestone in strengthening Slovenian–Ukrainian municipal cooperation. The municipalities of Lenart and Velika Polana officially signed memoranda of mutual cooperation with the Ukrainian communities of Bibrka (Lviv region) and Zymne (Volyn region). The signing coincided with the launch of two new two-week mentorship internships in Slovenia, designed to support knowledge exchange and joint solutions for recovery, reconstruction, and sustainable development in Ukraine.

    The internships, running from 22 September to 3 October 2025, are part of the programme Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine and the broader TIPS4UA initiative. For the first time, two Slovenian municipalities will host Ukrainian delegations in parallel, reflecting the growing demand and importance of direct, practical cooperation between local communities.

    Velika Polana is welcoming representatives from Zymne, with a programme focusing on cultural heritage protection, civil protection, and sustainable community initiatives. Lenart is hosting delegates from Bibrka, with exchanges planned around waste management, local development planning, and tourism.

    The format of the visit will combine joint and individual sessions: the programme will open with three days of shared activities in Velika Polana, continue with separate internship weeks in each municipality, and conclude with three days of joint activities in Lenart. This structure allows for both tailored mentorship and collective reflection, ensuring that participants benefit from a wide range of Slovenian local experiences.

    Building long-term partnerships

    The memoranda signed today symbolise more than a formal agreement—they mark the beginning of long-term partnerships rooted in mutual trust, learning, and solidarity. The internships will not only provide Ukrainian representatives with practical insights into Slovenian local governance but also lay the foundation for joint projects in areas of recovery and reconstruction, sustainable economic development, and cultural cooperation.

    WhatsApp Image 2025-09-22 at 12.32.30

    The ‘Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine’ programme 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’.