September 21st 2023



LIVE STREAM
WELCOME, FUTURE 2023 - DIVERSIFICATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COAL REGIONS IN EUROPE

The Municipality of Velenje is at a critical crossroad, as we are facing an extremely demanding period of restructuring, which, despite the many challenges, we are looking forward to, as we see it as an opportunity for further development. We strive for an integrated green transition and are proud to have been selected for the EU Mission of 100 climate-neutral and smart cities. We are intensively preparing development projects, and actively participating in various working groups (also at the level of the European Union) so that we can carry out a high-quality and fair restructuring of the region.


For two years in a row, Municipality of Velenje has organized an international conference, where we met with representatives of European countries and regions and learned about experiences from abroad, best practices and future developments of the European Union. The first conference focused on the Green Deal and first steps to a fair restructuring and in 2022 the main topic was Transformation of district heating systems in Europe. The theme of this year's international conference is DIVERSIFICATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COAL REGIONS IN EUROPE. We want to be ready to start this journey with content, programs, and measures, so that we can carry out a high-quality and fair restructuring of the region.

 

Therefore, we are inviting you to this year's international conference Welcome, Future 2023, which will take place on Thursday, on the 21st of September 2023 in Grand cinema Hall of Hotel Paka (Rudarska cesta 1, 3320 Velenje). The official start is planned at 10 o'clock.

The conclusions of the conference will certainly be a good starting point and direction for the preparation of the law on restructuring, which will provide support and ensure the conditions for the fair and successful economic development of the coal region during and after the exit from coal and transformation into a green economy.

Access The conference agenda
WHO IS THE CONFERENCE FOR?

Everyone involved in the Just Transition from experts to solution providers to local community. It is intended for local authorities of partner cities, local communities and decision makers and all residents of Municipality of Velenje to hear which solutions are provided in Europe and how other cities are dealing with this situation. We are in a situation, where we have to switch to a clean source in ten years and we are interested in good practices and experiences of other cities in Europe.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

The Savinja and Šalek Valley is facing coal phase out. We want to be ready and start this journey with content, programmes, and measures to carry out a quality and fair restructuring of the region. The event is intended for different stakeholders in our Valley and other regions that are in the just transition process. Therefore, we plan to invite representatives from European Commission, stakeholders from other cities and regions, ministries, and also solution providers. In the restructuring process, we must establish conditions for a pleasant life in the local community, which will satisfice and motivate residents not only to stay in the region but to return from elsewhere due to the high level of provided services and opportunities.

conference agenda
September 21st 2023 10:00 – 15:30
Moderator: Marko Govek
01 9:30 - 10:00 Welcome coffee Attendees Registration
02 10:00 - 10:15

introductory speeches Peter Dermol,  Mayor, Municipality of Velenje
Boris Goličnik, Mayor, Municipality of Šoštanj
Matjaž Han, Minister, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport

03 10:15 – 11:15

PANEL 1: DEVELOPMENT OF THE COAL REGIONS

Agnès Monfret, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO)
Sander Happaerts, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO)
Veronique MARX, vodja ekipe Just Transition ENER B1, Generalni direktorat za energijo (ENER)
Matevž Frangež, State Secretary. Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport

04 11:15 – 12:00 PANEL 2: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT TO THE ECONOMY

business zones, the importance of business-economic infrastructure for further economic development

David Pitschmann, Lakeside Science & Technology Park, Austria
Marco Schindler, Head of Coordinating and Monitoring Body, Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development
Jan Bondaruk, Deputy Director for Environmental Engineering, Central mining institute (GIG), Katowice
Iztok Mori, Director, Municipality of Velenje
05 12:00 – 12:35 COFFEE AND SNACK BREAK
06 12:35 – 14:00 PANEL 3: DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY
Tomaž Korošec, Executive Vice President, Hisense Gorenje Europe, d.o.o.
Marko Mavec, General Manager, Coal mine Velenje, d. o. o.
Martin Rojnik, Founder and director, Grashka d.o.o.
Alenka Kikec, Director, Šaleška Valley Tourist Board
Mitja Repše, Director of Finance and Legal, PharmaLinea Ltd.
07 14:00 – 15:00 PANEL 4: INCENTIVES FOR THE ECONOMY
Piotr Sikora, Chief Business Specialist, Katowice Special Economic Zone
Blaž Golob, Country Manager, HELIOT EUROPE
Sibil Klančar, Director General, Directorate for Development Resources, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport
Karla Sitar, Head of Office, Economic Development and Transition office, Municipality of Velenje
08 15:00 – 16:00 ROUND TABLE ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LAW ON THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE SAŠA REGION

Peter Dermol, Mayor, Municipality of Velenje
Andreja Katič, State Secretary, Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development
Sibil Klančar, General Director, Directorate for Development Resources, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport
Matjaž Švagan, Mayor, Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi
Janko Pogorelčnik, Director, School Center Velenje
09 16:00 LUNCH AND CONFERENCE NETWORKING
**We reserve the right to modify the program**
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