ENERGY - Coal regions exchange programme

From 14-16 March, participants of the coal regions exchange programme from Velenje (Slovenia) visited Pljevlja (Montenegro) to learn from each other’s experiences working towards just energy transitions. This visit followed a study trip to Lukavac, Banovići and Živinice, as well as one that brought stakeholders to Western Macedonia. On this occasion, we look back at these three latest exchange visits that took place within the programme. Tailored agendas, meetings with key stakeholders, and, most importantly, strong motivation of hosting and visiting delegations to move just transitions forward have proven to be their recipe for success. Learn more about the visits below and watch the videos to get first-hand impressions.

date: 17/03/2023

More about the exchange programme

Visit to Pljevlja

14-16 March 2023 (first in-person visit; the reciprocal visit is foreseen for September 2023)

Participating delegations led by: the Municipality of Pljevlja (Montenegro) and the Municipality of Velenje (Slovenia).

Among other participants were representatives of: Coal Mine Velenje, including the trade union, Energy Agency KSSENA (Slovenia); Coal Mine and TPP Pljevlja, including trade unions (Montenegro).

Topics in focus:

Just transition planning
Cooperation opportunities and joint projects
Energy efficiency
Solutions for district heating
Trade unions involvement
Opportunities for tourism development

Meetings with:

Coal Mine Pljevlja, including its trade union association
Energy utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG)
Public interest project “Heating for Pljevlja”
Residents of the Creative Hub Pljevlja
EU Delegation in Montenegro
UNDP Montenegro

Field visits at:

Coal Mine Pljevlja

Visit to Lukavac, Banovići and Živinice

This in-person visit was the second one held as part of the exchange between the Municipalities of Lukavac, Banovići and Živinice (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and diverse stakeholders from the Ústí region (Czechia). Learn about the initial visit here.

7-9 November 2022

Participating delegations led by: the Economic and Social Council of the Ústí Region (Czechia) and the Municipalities of Lukavac, Banovići and Živinice (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Among other participants were representatives of: Czech Energy Trade Union, Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Aarhus Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Topics in focus:

Stakeholder collaboration
Strategy development
Diversification of the economy and business/skills development
Renewable energies development (including energy communities)
Rehabilitation of mining sites

Meetings with:

Şişecam Soda Lukavac factory
Banovići Coal Mine and its trade union
Selected start-ups supported by Živinice’s business-incubator programme

Field visits at:

Lukavac’s former coal mine Šikulje
Brand-new regional landfill “Eko-sep”

Visit to Western Macedonia

This in-person visit was the second one held as part of the exchange between the Municipalities of Bitola, Kičevo, and Novaci (North Macedonia) and diverse stakeholders from the Western Macedonia region (Greece). Learn about the initial visit here.

12-14 October 2022

Participating delegations led by: Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, with contributions from the Municipality of Kičevo (North Macedonia), and DCN Global, of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (region of Western Macedonia, Greece).

Among other participants were representatives of: Municipality of Bitola, energy utilities ESM Oslomej and ESM Skopje, Ministry of Economy of North Macedonia, Trade union of the Kičevo TPP.

Topics in focus:

Strategy development
Financing the transition
Cross-border cooperation
Communications and stakeholder participation
Energy communities
Potential of biomass for energy generation

Meetings with:

Florina Municipality and Regional Business Association
Chamber of Commerce of Florina
Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO)
University of Western Macedonia

Field visit at:

Axlada Mine and Power Plant