OECD AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION DELEGATION VISITS THE SAŠA REGION

On Thursday, 13 February, in cooperation with the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, we organised a visit by a delegation from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission as part of the implementation of the technical assistance project entitled “Strengthening Strategic Planning in Slovenia for Balanced Regional Development and a Just Transition.”

This week, experts met with various ministries and other institutions in Slovenia, and at the end of the week they also visited both coal mining regions. Impressions of good practices and development challenges in the SAŠA region were shared with experts by representatives of the SAŠA Region Development Council, mayors of municipalities in the SAŠA region, environmental experts, representatives of the management of the Velenje Coal Mine and the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant, the SPESS and TEŠ trade unions, and employees of the SAŠA Development Agency, who work in the fields of regional development, just transition, and co-management of the Just Transition Fund. The experts also visited the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant and the Velenje Coal Mine, where they learned about their development projects and challenges.

Regional stakeholders agreed that the successful restructuring of the SAŠA region and the fulfillment of the commitment that no one will be left behind in the just transition require the adoption of the key Act on Restructuring of the SAŠA Region and the Act on the Gradual Closure of the Velenje Coal Mine, which should be adopted within six months of the adoption of the National Strategy for Coal Phase-out, i.e. as early as 2022. Stakeholders also pointed out that funds from the Just Transition Fund are also necessary in the future financial perspective, as there will still be many needs and challenges. They also want the SAŠA Development Agency to have a long-term formal role in supporting the region in ensuring regional development, designing a restructuring programme, implementing and monitoring it, and performing the tasks of a just transition coordinator in the SAŠA region.

The outcome of the 18-month project will be expert recommendations for changes in the design of strategies and programmes in the upcoming financial perspective in the field of regional development and just transition.