Slovenian Aid - CEP

Second informal consultation meeting on Slovenian-Ukrainian cooperation

28. 8. 2025 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

We are pleased to announce an upcoming strategic consultation meeting in Celje, dedicated to strengthening international cooperation and fostering new opportunities for recovery and development on September 3rd. This important event will bring together Slovenian mayors whose commitment and fruitful partnerships play a vital role in Ukraine’s recovery efforts — initiatives that remain at the heart of our Programme. Organised in partnership with the Slovenian Embassy in Kyiv, the meeting will be graciously hosted by the Mayor of Celje. This gathering aims to facilitate meaningful discussions on the future direction of our Programme, with a particular focus on enhancing economic cooperation, promoting sustainable development, and exploring innovative avenues for joint projects and shared growth.

We also warmly welcome new participants who are joining us for the first time, looking forward to their fresh perspectives and contributions, as we lay the groundwork for impactful initiatives that benefit both Slovenian communities as well as Ukraine’s ongoing reconstruction efforts.

The activities are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnership programme.

Enter: Change Forum II – Youth Shaping Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Future

25. 8. 2025 | Enter: Change, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Youth

This week, the second Enter: Change Forum titled “Shaping BiH’s Tomorrow: Youth Leading the Way” will unite 16 young leaders from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing diverse ethnic and political backgrounds.

The Forum, starting on 28 August, will include participation in the Young BSF on 31 August and the Bled Strategic Forum on 1 and 2 September. It will provide a platform to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina, including European integration, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and interethnic dialogue through inclusive leadership. Participants will engage in lectures, panel discussions, training sessions, mentorship, and public dialogue. Under the guidance of Mr Adnan Ćerimagić, analyst at the European Stability Initiative, the young leaders will prepare a vision statement on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union.

The Forum will also unite young leaders with participants of the Young Bled Strategic Forum, with both then joining the Bled Strategic Forum, working to amplify the voices of youth and highlight their role in shaping inclusive political processes and promoting European values.

The activities of the Enter: Change project are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Embassy of the United States of America in Ljubljana.

Conclusion of the first fact-finding visit in Podgorica

14. 7. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

On Friday, 11 July, we concluded the first fact-finding visit to Podgorica, which took place from 9 to 11 July 2025, as part of an ongoing project aimed at strengthening the institutional capacities for financial investigations in Montenegro.

The visit aimed to gain a more in-depth understanding of the current situation and key challenges in the fields of investigative procedures and financial investigations, with Slovenian experts exchanging information with their colleagues at the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior and Police Administration. The expert team, led by CEP, also held a meeting with Mr Vladimir Novovič, Chief Special Prosecutor at the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and discussed the role of their Office and inter-institutional cooperation.

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

Conclusion of the first TIPS4UA internship in Hrastnik

10. 7. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine

Today marks the conclusion of an intensive internship visit of the Ukrainian municipality Drohobych 🇺🇦 in Municipality Hrastnik 🇸🇮, as part of the TIPS4UA initiative. The visit brought together key municipal actors to exchange good practices, deepen cooperation, and co-develop solutions to one of the most pressing issues facing Ukrainian local governments today: housing. A representative from Drohobych spent two weeks in Hrastnik, focusing on sustainable housing, municipal planning, and strategic recovery efforts.

More than 2,400 people, including large families, families with disabilities, and over 300 internally displaced households, are currently waiting for safe and affordable housing due to a severe housing crisis. The visit was designed to support Drohobych in addressing this urgent need by learning from Hrastnik’s experience in socially inclusive, non-profit housing policies.

During the programme, participants took part in:
• Discussions on housing models in Hrastnik and Slovenia
• Field visits to Hrastnik, Celje and Ljubljana
• Workshops on legal, financial and planning aspects of housing strategy
• Expert exchanges with Slovenian institutions

The mentorship explored how communities like Hrastnik address housing challenges through open planning, financial foresight, and community involvement. These insights will contribute to a pilot non-profit housing project in Drohobych.

Mr Yatskiv, representative of Drohobych, shared: “This internship gave us concrete ideas and a vision of what is possible. The solidarity and support from Hrastnik give us hope and practical direction for building our community back stronger.” Although the internship may have concluded, cooperation between the two municipalities continues. CEP remains proud to support both partners in this essential work.

The activities are supported by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs under the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships Programme. In cooperation with the European Committee of the Regions and U-LEAD with Europe.

Fact-finding visit in the field of financial investigation to begin in Podgorica

2. 7. 2025 | Montenegro - finance, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance

A working visit to Podgorica will take place from 9 to 11 July 2025 as part of the ongoing project focusing on strengthening the institutional capacities of stakeholders involved in the field of financial investigations in Montenegro. The visit will focus on gaining in-depth insight into the current situation and key challenges in the field of investigative procedures and inter-institutional cooperation.

Slovenian experts from this field will meet with selected counterparts from Montenegro, aiming to exchange information and lay the groundwork for further cooperation and expert support in strengthening the rule of law.