In a significant move towards sustainability, the EU Economic Development Fund has approved €83 million for the green restructuring of Slovenia’s coal-dependent regions. This funding will support the transformation of Zasavje and Savinja-Šalek, two regions with deep ties to coal mining, as they pivot towards cleaner industries and technologies.
Zasavje, which saw its last coal mine close a decade ago, will receive €30.5 million. This investment is expected to create over 100 new jobs, helping to diversify the economy in an area still grappling with the effects of the coal industry’s decline. Meanwhile, Savinja-Šalek, which continues to rely on active coal mines and thermal plants, will benefit from more than €50 million in funding. The focus here will be on boosting pharmaceutical, energy, and industrial sectors, with an emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and automation.
This bold financial commitment reflects the EU’s wider strategy to support regions in transition, ensuring that the shift away from coal does not come at the cost of economic opportunity. The funding is seen as a critical step in facilitating a greener, more sustainable future for Slovenia, with the vast majority of the funds allocated to projects designed to create long-term, eco-friendly jobs.
