COcyber Stakeholder Consultation Legacy and Next Steps: Reflecting on Achievements and Shaping Future Cooperation
On 30 June 2026, seven representatives from the cybersecurity community gathered in Ljubljana for the COcyber Stakeholder Consultation: Legacy and Next Steps, marking the formal conclusion of COcyber activities in Slovenia.
Organised by the Centre for Cybersecurity and Information Security (CCIS), the consultation brought together key stakeholders who contributed to the project throughout its implementation. Rather than a traditional conference, the event was designed as a focused and interactive consultation aimed at reflecting on the project's achievements, discussing lessons learned, and exploring opportunities for continued cooperation beyond the project's formal end.
Looking Back on COcyber's Impact in Slovenia
The consultation opened with welcome remarks from the CCIS project team, followed by a presentation of the main outcomes achieved through COcyber activities in Slovenia. Participants reviewed the project's contributions to strengthening cybersecurity cooperation, fostering civil–defence dialogue, enhancing knowledge exchange, and supporting cyber resilience across sectors.
Particular attention was given to the Slovenian case study and previous stakeholder exchanges that helped identify challenges and opportunities in cross-sector cybersecurity collaboration. These activities have contributed to building stronger connections between public authorities, critical infrastructure operators, cybersecurity experts, research institutions, and industry representatives.
Stakeholder Consultation on Future Priorities
The central part of the event focused on a moderated stakeholder consultation dedicated to identifying future priorities and possible follow-up activities. Participants exchanged views on emerging cybersecurity challenges, cooperation needs, and mechanisms that could sustain the network and collaborative spirit established through COcyber.
Discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships between civilian and defence stakeholders, continuing knowledge-sharing initiatives, supporting cyber resilience efforts, and facilitating cooperation between public and private actors. Participants also explored opportunities for future projects and initiatives that could build upon the foundations established through COcyber.
Ines Vlahovic, Senior Consultant and Project Manager at CCIS, highlighted:
“The final Slovenian COcyber event showed that the project has created real value not only through its results, but also by bringing relevant stakeholders closer together. The discussion helped us identify the first concrete next steps and set a clear direction for continued work in strengthening cooperation, knowledge exchange, and future joint activities.”
The consultation confirmed that while the project itself is concluding, the partnerships, expertise, and collaborative framework developed through COcyber remain valuable assets for future cybersecurity and resilience initiatives.
A Lasting Legacy
The COcyber Stakeholder Consultation demonstrated the strong commitment of Slovenian cybersecurity stakeholders to continued collaboration and knowledge exchange. By bringing together experts from government institutions, cybersecurity agencies, industry, academia, research centres, innovation hubs, SMEs, and critical infrastructure operators, the event reinforced the importance of cross-sector cooperation in addressing evolving cyber threats.
Although COcyber has formally reached its conclusion, its legacy continues through the stakeholder networks, partnerships, and shared expertise developed during the project. These foundations will support future initiatives aimed at strengthening cybersecurity cooperation, improving resilience, and fostering innovation across Europe.
