On Monday, 25 August 2025, the public discussion of the Act on the Development Restructuring of the Savinjska-Šaleška (SAŠA) Coal Mining Region was held. .
The Act will also include a restructuring programme prepared by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development in cooperation with the relevant ministries and the SAŠA Region Development Agency. Before its adoption, it will be reviewed by the Development Council of the SAŠA Region’s Regional Development Partnership and adopted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
We are continuing to collect proposals for the inclusion of development projects in the programme in the region. Our goal is to prepare the programme within three months of the adoption of the Act – sooner than the proposal, which envisages nine months.
Four areas of restructuring
The programme will be divided into four key areas:
1. Economic restructuring and promoting competitiveness
Incentives for business development and improving the competitiveness of companies (start-ups and scale-ups);
Investments in research, development, innovation, and digitisation;
Development of the cultural and creative sector, preservation and revitalisation of cultural heritage;
Development of sustainable tourism.
2. Energy restructuring
Transition to renewable energy sources.
Improvement of energy efficiency in buildings and processes, including for energy-vulnerable groups;
Smart local energy communities;
Promoting the integration of renewable fuels into energy supply;
Sustainable mobility.
3. Social intergenerational cohesion and inclusion, training and education
Strengthening social inclusion and employment;
Life-long career guidance and training;
Promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation, and sports;
Accessibility of housing and improvement of quality of life.
4. Environmental restructuring towards sustainability
Revitalisation of spatially and environmentally degraded areas.
Changing the purpose of facilities related to coal mining and use.
Promotion of the circular economy;
Reducing negative impacts on the environment.
Implementation of the programme
The programme will define measures, instruments for their implementation, and a time and financial framework. The instruments will be implemented by line ministries, public funds, agencies, and institutions. Beneficiaries will include municipalities, legal entities, and natural persons.
Funds will be allocated through public tenders, public calls, or directly approved operations.
Submit your project proposal!
A draft programme is already being prepared under the coordination of the SAŠA Centre for Just Transition, which operates within the SAŠA Development Agency. It is based on the collection of project proposals from various regional stakeholders.
Project proposals can be submitted via the form on the SAŠA Centre for Just Transition website until 30 September 2025.
We invite you to participate in shaping the future of our region!