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From an old stable to a new community center in Karviná, modern craft workshops for high school students in Ústeck or a green classroom in Karlovy Vary. A total of 31 applications were received at the end of 2023 in the call for strategic projects of the Operational Program Just Transformation (OPST), which supports the so-called coal regions. Seven of these projects have already received a decision to grant a subsidy and are now drawing funds for implementation. The evaluation of the remaining applications is still ongoing and the process is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.

“We need to align the starting line. Coal regions, i.e. the Moravian-Silesian, Ústí and Karlovy Vary regions, are facing various negative impacts due to the diversion from mining. Thanks to the Just Transformation Operational Program, we can support strategic projects that help, for example, increase new jobs, maintain existing ones, develop business, culture, education, research and innovation. 50 calls for almost 32 billion crowns have already been announced for these regions in the OPST program. It is aimed not only at schools, but also at innovation and research centers, small and medium-sized enterprises or projects to restore the landscape after mining. In this way, the inhabitants and nature of the coal regions can adapt much better to the demanding transformation and do not have to pay for the coal past.” states Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL).

The total allocation of the Just Transformation program is 39.4 billion crowns, of which almost 32 billion are used for current challenges. There is great interest in support for improving the connectivity of schools or building specialist classrooms. In addition, interest-free loan Transformation, provided by the National Development Bank, or vouchers for entrepreneurs, which are provided by regional authorities from OPST funds, are also in great demand. General information and all projects are available on the OPST website.

Evaluation process

Strategic projects go through a four-stage evaluation, in which not only the formalities and the economic side of the projects are assessed, but also their real benefits. During this phase, the MoE involves domestic and foreign experts. Then the Regional Standing Conference of the relevant region (RSK) meets, which is the voice of the given region and can recommend the implementation of the project to the Selection Committee, whose members are representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic and representatives of relevant ministries.

“Evaluating strategic projects is not easy. Each project request is approached individually and in a unique way, which is logically reflected in the length of the process. We emphasize quality, because the change and benefits that these strategic projects are supposed to bring to the regions are essential for us,” he says Petr Valdman, director of the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic.

Strategic projects in the regions

Currently, the majority of approved projects are from the Moravian-Silesian region. Among the projects that submitted an application and passed the selection committee are CVE and TRAUTOM, both of which are preparing to issue a decision. The projects MUSEUM+, Education District, PODOLUPARK and EDEN are in the evaluation process. You can read about all projects from the region here.

In the Ústí Region, apart from the Transformation Center, the project SYNERGYS – systems for energy synergy and RUR – University Region, University of the Region, which have already passed the selection committee, are farthest in the evaluation. The other two projects, Introduction of hydrogen mobility in the city of Ústí nad Labem and GET center of UJEP, will be discussed at the RSK of the Ústí Region on Wednesday, April 24, and if they receive a recommendation, they will be forwarded to the selection committee of the MoE, the remaining ones will go through the Regional Standing Conference already in May. Details about the projects being prepared in the Ústí Region are available here.

Four projects from the Karlovy Vary Region have already passed the Selection Committee and should now receive a decision on the provision of a subsidy. These are the Medard, Sokolovská investment and green development projects, Spa Research Center and Karlovy Vary Innovation Center. For the remaining projects (Reconstruction and modernization of the Karlovy Vary Secondary School of Ceramic and Glass Arts, Mountain Hotel Klínovec, Smart Landscape 2030+, Cultural and Creative Sector – Regional Cultural and Creative Office (4K) and Vl:Aštovka) it is expected that they will be presented at RSK Karlovy Vary regions in April and May. You can find more information about the projects being prepared in the Karlovy Vary Region here.

Support after 2027

According to Environment Minister Petr Hladík, financial support for the transformation of coal regions must continue even after 2027. At the recent EU Council, he therefore called on other member states to join the Karlovy Vary declaration, which was created with this goal in mind last year. “We want continued strong European support for the coal regions, as it appears that their transformation is far from complete and needs long-term financial and political support. The transition of coal regions to the path of decarbonization is time- and financially demanding, it is not possible to fully implement it during one program period,” adds the minister.

Presentation from the press conference (pdf)

Photo: OPST archive/Lerco project

Veronika Krejčí & Press Department of the MoEphone: 267 122 835 or 267 122 534 e-mail: [email protected]