U-LEAD with Europe

Conclusion of the Cluster visit on Local Economic Development

9. 6. 2026 | PR, Ukraine

The Cluster Visit – Strengthening Municipal Capacity for Local Economic Development in Slovenia has come to a close on Friday, 5 June 2026.

From entrepreneurship support and regional development to municipal cooperation and innovation ecosystems, the past nine days have demonstrated the power of knowledge exchange in shaping stronger local communities.

Representatives of Ukrainian municipalities and regional development institutions have successfully completed a study visit across Slovenia, exploring practical approaches to local economic development, regional growth, and municipal capacity building.

Throughout the programme, participants gained first-hand insight into Slovenia’s approach to regional development, business support systems, municipal cooperation, and the implementation of national development policies at the local level. The delegation engaged with representatives of ministries, regional development agencies, municipalities, business support organisations, and development experts from across the country.

The programme included visits to the Ljubljana University Incubator, SPIRIT Slovenia, the Slovenian Regional Development Fund, the Regional Development Agency of Koroška, the UNESCO Global Geopark Karavanke, the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, the Regional Development Agency Podravje, Venture Factory, and the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region.

Participants also met with mayors and municipal representatives from several Slovenian regions, gaining valuable insights into local governance, intermunicipal cooperation, investment promotion, and community-led development.

Through workshops, field visits, and discussions, participants explored topics such as entrepreneurship support infrastructure, project preparation and management, EU cohesion policy, cross-border cooperation, circular economy initiatives, SME support mechanisms, innovation ecosystems, and tools for strengthening local resilience.

The programme also provided a platform for Ukrainian participants to present their own experiences, challenges, and development priorities, fostering meaningful peer-to-peer exchange and identifying opportunities for future cooperation.

The concluding session focused on reflecting on lessons learned, identifying Slovenian practices that could be adapted to the Ukrainian context, and discussing practical next steps for strengthening local and regional development capacities.

The programme concluded with closing remarks by His Excellency Petro Beshta, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia, who highlighted the importance of international partnerships, knowledge exchange, and continued support for Ukrainian municipalities and regions as they work towards sustainable development, resilience, and recovery.

A sincere thank you to all institutions, experts, speakers, municipal representatives, and participants whose engagement and contributions made this programme possible. Together, they helped strengthen the foundations for future cooperation between Slovenia and Ukraine and demonstrated the value of learning from one another’s experiences.

This programme was prepared in cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe and implemented in partnership between Ministry of Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development of Republic of Slovenia and Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

This programme is supported by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through the Slovenian Aid and Partneships programme.

Photo album of the Cluster visit

More about Recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine programme

Conclusion of the Mentorship Visit of Zarichne Municipality to Slovenska Bistrica

1. 12. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

Over the past two weeks, Slovenska Bistrica hosted representatives of Zarichne Municipality as part of a mentorship visit within the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme. The visit was organised by the Centre for European Perspective under the auspices of Bridges of Trust.

The mentorship programme enabled the Ukrainian delegation to gain first-hand insight into best practices of Slovenian local governance, public services, and local economic development. The focus was on practical solutions and transferable approaches that can support the preparation and implementation of development projects in Zarichne Municipality.

During their stay, the delegation visited several institutions and companies in Slovenska Bistrica:

Komunala Slovenska Bistrica – presentations on digitalisation of public services, sustainable utility management, and innovative approaches to citizen engagement;
Impol d.o.o. – an overview of modern aluminium production, advanced manufacturing processes, and the role of industry in local economic resilience;
Slovenska Bistrica Agricultural Cooperative – insights into cooperative organisation, support mechanisms for local farmers, and strengthening local food systems;
Dom dr. Jožeta Potrča Poljčane – examples of good practices in social care, senior inclusion, and community-based services.

These visits were complemented by in-depth discussions with practitioners, allowing participants to reflect on how similar models could be adapted to the Ukrainian local context.

In addition to field visits, the programme included targeted workshops on project planning, funding opportunities, and implementation strategies. Through guided sessions, participants developed concrete ideas for future cooperation between Slovenska Bistrica and Zarichne, with an emphasis on sustainable local development and post-war recovery needs.

The mentorship visit concluded with the formal signing of a cooperation agreement by the mayors Bohdan Kvachuk (Zarichne) and Dr Ivan Žagar (Slovenska Bistrica). The agreement confirms a shared commitment to continued knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, and long-term municipal partnership, marking an important step toward stronger international cooperation at the local level.

The activities were supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia within the framework of Slovenian Aid, and implemented in cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.

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’.

Conclusion of Two Parallel TIPS4UA Internship Visits: Lenart and Velika Polana

6. 10. 2025 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

On Friday, 3 October, two intensive and inspiring internship visits concluded under the TIPS4UA initiative. The visits took place in parallel — with representatives from the Ukrainian municipality of Bibrka 🇺🇦 hosted by the Municipality of Lenart, and representatives from the Ukrainian municipality of Zymne 🇺🇦 hosted by the Municipality of Velika Polana.

Over the course of two weeks, the participants engaged in an active exchange of experience and knowledge, focusing on two key themes: waste management and cultural heritage protection. The internships aimed to strengthen local capacities, deepen cooperation between partner municipalities, and co-develop practical solutions for shared challenges.

Throughout the programme, participants:
• learned about good practices in waste management and saw local models in action,
• explored innovative approaches to cultural heritage preservation,
• visited local institutions such as primary schools, health centres, and youth centres,
• participated in cultural activities and community events,
• and enjoyed a study visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital.

These visits not only fostered valuable professional cooperation but also built lasting connections and mutual understanding between Slovenian and Ukrainian municipalities. The knowledge gained and relationships formed will continue to support sustainable local development and strengthen European solidarity in the years ahead.

The internship takes place under the auspices of the Centre for European Perspective Programme “Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine”, financed by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in partnership with TIPS4UA Programme, supported by the European Committee of the Regions and U-LEAD with Europe.

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.