An international platform for the for coal regions in transition will be established for Ukraine and the Western Balkans

17.09.2019

A conference on the European experience of transformation of coal regions High Level Policy Talk on Coal Regions in Transition and the Energy Community was held on September 13 in Warsaw.

At this event, it was announced the launch of a separate Platform for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. The European Commission Platform, which has been operating for EU countries since the end of 2017 and provides technical and financial support to mining regions, will be taken as a model.

The event was organized by the Secretariat of the Energy Communitie, the World Bank and the European Commission.

Representatives of the Platform for Sustainable Development of Coal Towns of Donetsk Region took part in this event and had the opportunity to talk about their own experience of cooperation in order to implement fair structural changes.

“We studied foreign experience and came to the conclusion that we need to start developing alternatives to coal today and now. That is why we, step by step, are building this future together with the citizens. New jobs should appear in front of their eyes, the ecological situation should improve,” – Myrnograd Mayor Oleksandr Brykalov stressed during his speech.

According to the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat Janez Kopač, the next steps should be the development of a map of the coal regions of Ukraine and the Western Balkans and the creation of national “coal” platforms within the countries. The format of the Warsaw Conference should remain for the future as an open platform for the exchange of experiences.

“EU institutions and financial institutions like the World Bank are interested in helping to transform mining regions outside the European Union. It is extremely important for the representatives of Ukrainian coal towns present at the initial stages of these processes, as this will allow them to secure the status of the main stakeholders and have their voices heard,” – comments Ecoactio expert Kostiantyn Krynytsky.

On May 21, 2019, representatives of local authorities and civil society of Vugledar, Dobropillya, Myrnograd, Novogrodivka, Pokrovsk and Selydovo signed a Memorandum of Partnership and created a Platform for Sustainable Development of Coal Towns.

Such an association will contribute to the common efforts for the realization of the principles of sustainable development; strengthening partnerships in the framework of socio-economic development of settlements; transformation of the image of territories; reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the welfare of the community.

* cotesy ecoaction.org.ua

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