On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Regional Development Agency Zasavje (RRAZ) hosted the Regional Conference on the Just Transition of Zasavje. The event was organized by RRAZ to present the results of the strategic program for the Just Transition of Zasavje. The program has been intensively implemented since 2022, when the Center for Just Transition of Zasavje (CPPZ) was established at RRAZ. Its main goal is to transform the region from a traditional coal-based economy into a high-tech, low-carbon area.

Zasavje ranks among the more successful regions under the European Just Transition Mechanism, which includes the Just Transition Fund. This mechanism is part of the European Green Deal and supports the phasing out of fossil fuels in European coal regions and sectors through development funding from the Just Transition Fund. Without proper measures, the cessation of coal activities in these regions would lead to serious social and economic consequences.

The Zasavje region, together with national authorities and the European Commission, has ensured that 83% of the total €75 million allocated from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) has already been tendered for restructuring the region. Over 50% of the funds have already been allocated to projects, and all strategic projects identified for co-financing under the JTF in the Territorial Plan for the Just Transition of the Zasavje coal region have been approved. Key strategic projects include the Center for Development, Demonstration, and Training in Carbon-Free Technologies (DUBT Center – Chemical Institute), the Lakonca Industrial Zone (Trbovlje Municipality), the Economic Business Zone II Kisovec (Zagorje ob Savi Municipality), the Kompreshaus Business Incubator, and the Rudnik Industrial Zone (Hrastnik Municipality).

In addition to these projects, the local economy is anticipating the results of a tender for productive investments in the economy (JTF), aimed at supporting advanced economic investments by companies in the region. The Center for Just Transition of Zasavje expressed satisfaction with the exceptional response to the tender, as many companies participated, and the total value of submitted projects exceeded the available funding.

The conference placed special emphasis on collaboration with international partners. Delegates from the Ukrainian coal city of Sheptytskyi were hosted to exchange knowledge and strengthen capacities for restructuring. Representatives from the European Commission’s Secretariat for European Coal Regions in Transition and guests from Bulgaria’s Brand Media Bulgaria also participated to report on Zasavje’s success story and share best practices with Bulgarian coal regions.

Following project presentations, panel discussions were held in the second part of the conference, including discussions with Ukrainian guests who highlighted the importance of residents in the restructuring process. A key message of the conference was that people – the residents – are the priority. This awareness is especially critical now, as the region faces emigration and demographic decline. “What use are high technology and investments if we don’t have people?” emphasized Andrii Zalivskyi, Mayor of Sheptytskyi. Consequently, people remain a primary focus in the restructuring process.

The conference also featured the presentation of the Circular Economy Academy Zasavje, the main program of the Center for Just Transition of Zasavje for 2024.

The panel was led by Ladeja Godina Košir from the Circular Change Institute, in collaboration with the Center for Just Transition of Zasavje. The program aimed to strengthen capacities and introduce circular economy principles into the region’s economic sectors. Activities involved stakeholders from all sectors of the region. The academy’s results included concrete proposals for circular projects and development initiatives. Certificates were also awarded to academy participants at the end of the panel.

Parallel events were held as part of the Regional Conference on the Just Transition of Zasavje. In Trbovlje, the Vision of the Zasavje Region 2030 event engaged over 90 high school students, who worked under the guidance of youth trainers to develop ideas for restructuring the region. Using various group work methods and innovative approaches, they explored the question of what kind of region they want for living, working, and personal growth.

The Friends of Youth Association in Trbovlje organized fun recycling workshops for children, where they learned about circular economy principles and the importance of reusing materials through creative activities.

Three days before the conference, a meeting was held between non-governmental organizations and business representatives. The theme was fostering collaboration between civil society and the economy to find synergies and develop joint cross-sector projects that support the goals of Zasavje’s just transition.

The Center for Just Transition of Zasavje emphasizes that the region’s competitiveness is built on the strength of the entire Zasavje community. Key factors include stakeholder cooperation, alignment, and the development of high-quality strategic programs and innovative ideas aimed at achieving the shared goals of the region’s restructuring strategy.

“Just transition is a multifaceted process that must encompass all segments of society. It’s essential to involve everyone, from active stakeholders to young people, civil society, and vulnerable groups. These segments play a crucial role in creating solutions that are sustainable and inclusive. As our Ukrainian partners highlighted during the conference, development without people lacks true value – investments and technologies alone cannot replace human potential,” stated the Center for Just Transition of Zasavje.

The Center for Just Transition of Zasavje actively promotes a culture of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, inclusivity, and mutual support. These core values strengthen the unity of the region and are crucial for successfully achieving Zasavje’s strategic goals.

The activities of the Center for Just Transition of Zasavje are fully funded by technical assistance from the Just Transition Fund of Zasavje.

Galery from Regional Conference on the Just Transition of Zasavje (Zagorje)

 

Galery from Regional Conference on the Just Transition of Zasavje (Worshops in Trbovlje)