Applicant: Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi
Company Description: Local government responsible for the management and development of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi
Website: zagorje.si

Funding Source: Just Transition Fund Granting
Body: Ministry for Cohesion and Regional
Development Secured Funding: 1.5 million euros

Project Title: Construction of the Economic Business Zone Kisovec II

Project Description: The project plans the construction of public economic infrastructure in the Economic Business Zone Kisovec II. The goal is the functional development and revitalization of business zones on reclaimed areas connected to coal mining. The investment, estimated at 1.72 million euros, will be co-financed with 1.5 million euros from the Just Transition Fund. The construction includes expanding the access road, stabilizing the slope, and building utility infrastructure (water supply, sewage, electrical cable ducts). Project completion is expected by December 2024.

Purpose of the Investment Project:
The EPC Kisovec II project is located in a degraded area near the main Kisovec-Izlake road, next to the Xella Porobeton Si d.o.o. factory. Due to favorable transport connections, highway proximity, and existing industries, the area has significant potential for the development of an economic business zone. The Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi has already received numerous initiatives for the communal arrangement of this land and improvement of access routes, which is key for the economic advancement of the area. The purpose of the “Economic Business Zone Kisovec II” project is to encourage entrepreneurship, especially by facilitating the economic utilization of new ideas, establishing new businesses, and increasing the added value of existing companies. With the utility infrastructure, legal entities will be able to integrate into the area and establish production facilities. The project will positively impact social, economic, and community development, achieving the goals of sustainable societal development. The investment in EPC Kisovec II will contribute to economic growth, job creation, a positive environmental impact, and spatial development in the region. The project will improve public economic infrastructure, facilitating the economic utilization of new ideas, promoting new business creation, increasing competitiveness in the international market, and contributing to the economic transformation of the region. The utility-equipped land will allow legal entities to integrate into the space and establish production facilities. A secondary goal of the investment is to positively impact social, economic, and sustainable development of society as a whole. The project will increase the added value of small and medium-sized enterprises, promote entrepreneurship, reduce unemployment, improve economic infrastructure, and reduce outmigration from the Zasavje region and daily commuting for work. The project contributes to improved living and working conditions for residents of the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi and the Zasavje region and to general economic and entrepreneurial development.

Expected Project Outcomes:

• Economy: Promotion of economic development and entrepreneurship by improving business infrastructure.
• Entrepreneurship: Strengthening the entrepreneurial environment for SMEs and new business opportunities.
• Employment: Job creation and strengthening the local labor market.
• Utility Infrastructure: Enhancement of public infrastructure to support entrepreneurial activities.

Project Alignment with the Zasavje Coal Region Just Transition Area Plan:

• Decarbonization of the Region: Contribution to the transition to a low-carbon circular economy by developing sustainable business infrastructure.
• Economic Development: Strengthening the economic environment, job creation, and revitalization of degraded areas.
• Targeted Education: Raising awareness of sustainable development and promoting competencies for a sustainable, high-tech economy.

Total available funds for the restructuring of the Zasavje coal region from the Just Transition Fund: 74.6 million euros for the period 2021-2029. For more information on the project, please contact the Zasavje Just Transition Center.