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The mentoring programme for women in CSDP Missions was completed with a closing workshop that brought together mentors and mentees to discuss their experiences during the eight-month online mentoring programme. It was the second time the CoE conducted the mentoring programme together with CPCC. This year 32 participants from 10 civilian missions took part in the programme.

The CoE co-organised with the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria on 27-28 October 2022 na interactive forum to provide an informal exchange platform for EU Member States to facilitate upcoming formal negotiations on the new Civilian CSDP Compact.

The focus of the third and last workshop of this series was on the operational level between EU Member States and the CSDP missions: how can the EU Member States benefit from seconding personnel to civilian CSDP missions and how do missions benefit from the expertise of the international secondees?

EU Member States discussed good practice examples of strategic communication at the national level to make civilian missions better known among general public and increase women's representation.

EU Member States, with the participation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), discussed a Level of Ambition for civilian CSDP at the “Civilian CSDP Summer Forum” that was co-organised by the CoE and the German Federal Foreign Office on 17 June.

On 10 May, CoE members and preferred partners (EEAS and NATO IS) and the CoE team met virtually for the fifth General Meeting of the CoE to review the Centre’s 2021 activities, and to discuss its current and future activities.

Responding timely and with eligible candidates to Calls for Contributions (CfCs) to second personnel to a civilian CSDP mission is a challenge that many EU Member States share. The CoE organised a workshop where participants discussed their respective systems regarding the coordination for CfCs. 

Meet Lina Andéer, Gender and Women, Peace and Security Advisor at the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), who has talked to us about the CSDP Mentoring Programme for Women and the importance of increasing women's participation in civilian CSDP.

The kick-off event was opened by the CoE’s Director Volker Jacoby, who welcomed the 32 participants from 10 civilian CSDP missions to their mentoring journey. Mihaela Matei, CPCC Deputy Civilian Operations Commander and Chief of Staff, shared personal insights from throughout her career in CSDP.

We talked to Kate Fearon, Deputy Head of Mission EUMM Georgia, about her experience being a mentor for the CSDP Women's Mentoring Programme.