Representatives of Ukrainian municipalities and regional authorities have officially begun their cluster mentorship visit to Slovenia, dedicated to economic development, investment promotion, and support for local entrepreneurship.
The visit brings together mayors and senior representatives from 13 Ukrainian oblasts and marks the beginning of a thematic process designed to support Ukrainian authorities in areas related to EU accession Chapter 22.
The opening discussions took place at Jable Castle in Mengeš, where participants were welcomed by representatives of CEP, the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovenia, the Ministry for Cohesion and Regional Development, and Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport. The first day of the programme focused on Slovenia’s governance model for regional development, cohesion policy, entrepreneurship support, and institutional cooperation.
Experts from Slovenian ministries and development institutions presented Slovenia’s national framework for regional development and business support, while also sharing practical experiences related to entrepreneurship promotion, development funds, and project support mechanisms.
The delegation was joined by:
- Ms Alenka Marovt and Mr Jan Sitar from the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport,
- Ms Ivana Štrkalj and Mr Tin Krampl from the Ministry for Cohesion and Regional Development,
- Ms Natalia Markevych-Pritsa, First Secretary at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Slovenia.
Throughout the visit, participants will explore Slovenia’s economic development ecosystem and institutional support environment through meetings, workshops, and field visits across Ljubljana and its surroundings, as well as the Koroška and Štajerska regions.
The mentorship process aims to strengthen the capacities of Ukrainian local and regional authorities in the fields of regional development, investment attraction, and sustainable local economic growth while contributing to Ukraine’s broader EU integration efforts.
The programme is organised by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine and the Ministry for Cohesion and Regional Development of the Republic of Slovenia.
The Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine programme is supported by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia through the Slovenian Aid and Partnership programme.