The European Commission, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of Slovenia and the Municipality of Velenje warmly invite local, regional and national representatives and stakeholders to join the EU Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition’s 5th Annual Political Dialogue on 11-12 July 2024, in Velenje, Slovenia. The detailed agenda is available below. Registrations for the event are underway, so reserve your spot promptly!

AGENDA

REGISTER 

Registration deadlines:

• 18 June for on-site participation
• 10 July for online participation

Sessions will be livestreamed to DG ENER's YouTube channel.

Stakeholders from EU coal, peat, lignite, and oil shale regions—the coal+ regions—will come together for this two-day event to share best practices and ideas, as well as to talk about common opportunities and difficulties in creating an equitable and just energy transition. A special emphasis will be placed on compiling ideas for the future by taking stock of experiences from the various regions.

High-level speakers present in person include:

• Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight 
• Peter Dermol, Mayor of Velenje
• Petr Kulhánek, Governor of Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic

 The event will host sessions on topics like: 

• industrial transition and development in coal+ regions
• citizen empowerment and how to tackle energy poverty 
• district heating systems 

There will also be three site visit options: 

• Thermal Power Plant Šoštanj & District Heating System
  Explore the operations of the thermal power plant and learn about the district heating system, which provides sustainable heating solutions to the region. 
  
• Coal Mining Underground Museum and Business Zone Stara vas and Old Power Plant
  Enjoy an immersive experience of mining life and the history of the Velenje Coal Mine, and witness the possibilities for transformation of industrial areas into vibrant business zones. 
• Revitalization of a degraded area - Lake Velenje and VISTA – Park with a view 
  Experience the revitalization of Lake Velenje and learn about the efforts to transform a degraded area into a thriving tourist destination - with a view! 

The event will include a special visual exhibition of transition best practices and examples in coal+ regions of brownfields, industrial infrastructure and coal mines repurposed into business districts, energy sites and places of cultural significance. If you wish your region to participate in the exhibition, you can express your interest through the registration form. The deadline to sign up for the exhibition is 01 June, 18:00 CEST. Please note that we can accommodate proposals based on a first come first serve principle.

A detailed practical information kit about accommodation and travel will be made available to participants. Velenje is well connected to major European travel hubs, as several flight options are available via Ljubljana airport, where a shuttle to Velenje will wait for you.

We look forward to welcoming you in Velenje or online!