The decline in coal mining and the transition to a new economy is not only a challenge for the Ústí nad Labem Region. The Polish regions of Silesia and Małopolska are also undergoing a similar transformation. ICUK representatives therefore traveled to Poland at the turn of June and July as part of the international JTPeers Exchange to share experiences with the transformation of coal regions and seek inspiration for the further development of the Ústí nad Labem Region.

What will happen to a region whose economy has been built on coal mining for decades? How to use the post-mining area, create new jobs, and at the same time prevent the outflow of people who are supposed to be part of its future?

Representatives of the Ústí nad Labem and Karlovy Vary regions, together with their colleagues from Poland, addressed similar questions during a three-day exchange. The journey led through Katowice, Tychy, Brzeszcze and Krakow and offered insight into specific ways in which regions with long experience in mining are coping with the decline of coal.

When coal runs out, a new economy must begin

The transformation of coal regions is not just a matter of closing mines. The end of mining brings with it fundamental changes for the local economy, the labor market, and the landscape itself.

The Polish experience shows the need to prepare new opportunities even before the attenuation occurs. In addition to new industries and jobs, it is important to develop business, support innovation, prepare infrastructure and work with the people who live in the region.

This is where parallels with the Ústí nad Labem region emerge. One of the main topics here is how to create conditions for new economic development after mining and how to make an area that has long been associated with mining an attractive place to live, work and do business.

From the Wujek mine to the mountain village of Brzeszcze

During the visit, participants had the opportunity to see the transformation firsthand.

In Katowice, they visited, for example, former Wujek mine, today connected to the Center for Freedom and Solidarity. The visit showed that the end of mining does not have to mean the erasure of the industrial past. On the contrary – the mining heritage can acquire a new function and become part of the region's identity and its further development.

IN Brzeszcze, a former mining village, discussed the possibilities of developing the post-mining area and community energy. Energy is one of the key topics in the transformation of regions that need to gradually wean themselves off coal.

IN Tychy Then the participants visited a modern research and development center focused on water management and learned about approaches to energy and waste utilization.

These examples show different ways to find new uses for land and infrastructure that was created during mining.

Brownfields don't have to be a problem. They can be an opportunity.

One of the important topics for coal regions is the question of, what about the area after mining.

Extensive brownfields and areas affected by mining can be a long-term burden for the region, but at the same time they represent significant space for new investments, industry, research or other uses.

We have a similar experience in the Ústí nad Labem Region. An example is revitalization of the eastern railway station in Děčín or the Greenmine project at the ČSA quarry, which show how one can think about the future of an area whose original use is gradually ending.

Transformation is not just about what will disappear from the region. It is equally important to decide what, what will arise in it instead.

The biggest challenge is people

However, the transition from coal to a new economy cannot be done without people. One of the topics on which the participants from Poland and the Czech Republic agreed is therefore retaining talent and preventing the outflow of young people from the region.

If coal regions are to succeed, they need to offer people prospects - quality jobs, opportunities for education, entrepreneurship and the development of their own ideas.

Therefore, during the exchange, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, technology transfer, and cooperation between universities and companies were also discussed.

For example, a Polish project was an inspiration SPIN, which helps transfer knowledge and research results from universities into practice through innovation brokers.

„"The exchange gave me a deeper understanding of how to better support people in our region and respond more effectively to their needs. The introduction of the Polish SPIN project and the functioning of innovation brokers, who transfer research from universities to business, was very beneficial. This process is directly applicable to us in the Ústí nad Labem Region, where, based on the RIS3 strategy, we help transfer knowledge from institutions such as UJEP or CTU in Děčín directly into practice."“

– Ing. Marek Hart, RIS3 developer, ICUK

The Ústí nad Labem Region and Poland are facing a similar future

The visit to Poland confirmed that The Ústí nad Labem Region is not alone in its transformation. Silesia and Lesser Poland are addressing a number of similar issues – how to gradually replace the coal-based economy, how to use the post-mining area, how to prepare new job opportunities, and how to convince young people that it makes sense to stay in the region.

At the same time, it is not possible to simply adopt solutions from one region to another. Each region has different conditions, history and possibilities. The purpose of such exchanges is therefore primarily to share experiences, get inspired and find your own path.

For ICUK, the experience from Poland is valuable in the context of supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and the development of new opportunities in the Ústí nad Labem Region. Tools such as innovation vouchers or PLATINN they can help companies respond to changing conditions and seek new directions for development.

Just transformation is not just a question of, how to quit coal. It is primarily a question of, what future the region will create after him.

And it is the experience from other European coal regions that can help us find the answer.

👉 More about the JTPeers program: Just Transition Platform - JTPeers Exchange