Czech environment ministry launches CZK 30.2 billion in grants to transform coal regions in a year
The Ministry of the Environment (MoE) has launched grant calls worth more than CZK 30 billion in roughly a year of running its programme to support the transformation of coal regions. That is more than two-thirds of the total funding allocated from EU funds. By the end of the year, the ministry is expected to decide on awarding grants worth CZK 10 billion. Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) told reporters today. EU grants from the programme are going to the Moravian-Silesian, Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem regions, which are grappling with the transformation of regional economies long tied to coal mining.
The Czech Republic has around CZK 41 billion available under the Just Transition Operational Programme. The ministry has so far launched calls worth CZK 30.2 billion, while the regions have applied for more than CZK 20 billion.
The ministry currently has 32 strategic projects on its books. The largest number of applications submitted so far have come from the Moravian-Silesian Region. One project in Ostrava, the so-called Black Cube, has already received a grant award decision. It is intended to become a science and digitalisation centre for the region, as well as the new home of its scientific library. Some projects planned earlier have since been withdrawn. One example is a proposal to build a factory producing batteries for electric vehicles on the site of the Prunéřov lignite power plant in the Chomutov district.
Next year, the ministry plans to focus its further calls on areas including the development of hydrogen infrastructure and brownfield sites, strengthening social stability and supporting employment, Hladík said.
The Just Transition grant programme is intended to bring new job opportunities to coal regions, support small and medium-sized enterprises, investment in research and development, education for children and adults, and the restoration of areas affected by hard- and brown-coal mining.
Translation disclaimer
This article is a machine translation of the Czech original and has not yet been fully reviewed. In case of any doubt, please refer to the Czech version.
