Factsheet for measure
SK-2023-22/3383
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Updated
– measures in Slovakia
Update of the Transformation Action Plan for Upper Nitra Coal Region
Aktualizácia Akčného plánu transformácie uhoľného regiónu horná Nitra
Background information
The Government of the Slovak Republic updates the Action plan Transformation of the upper Nitra coal region every year from 2019, by 30 June. The update is prepared by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI SR). In 2023, the third update of the Action Plan took place.
In this update, the original structure of the Action plan remains, including the naming of each chapter. The main changes were in chapters 3, 8 and 10.
Chapter 3
The introduction was amended with respect to 'Program Slovakia', a part of which is the Just Transition Fund, which in the context of dealing with effects of transition to climate neutrality will provide mechanism for help the Upper Nitra region.
Chapter 8
Financial sourcing of the Action plan. In chapter 8, financial sources were updated from 'Program Slovakia' as well as different sources of financing.
Chapter 10
Appendices were updated with regards to remarks and commentary of relevant regulating authorities, mediating authorities, members of working group for the Action plan, who took into account their continuing process of the region’s transition and updated the data provided in the document. In chapter 10, a tank for indication of project aims was updated as well as information on characteristics of each source of financing of the Action plan.
Content of measure
The Government passed the plan according to resolution n. 580/2018. It was prepared in the framework of the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Service (EC SRSS) as a part of a wider project of transformation of the Upper Nitra coal region. After the conclusion of coal mining and its use for combustion, there will be a need to ensure requalification and employment of mine workers and other employees in the region, in which by the end of 2023 coal mining will be concluded.
With respect to the action plan, it is necessary to address questions of increasing health care, social support and assistance to groups of citizens, that will be mostly affected by the transformation of the region. This will be achieved by adjusting education and requalification in the region to fit new economic sectors; increasing attractivity of the region to youth in form of cultural, extracurricular and recreational possibilities; ensuring heat supply to the region in future.
The basic pillars of the Action plan are mobility and interconnectivity of region, economy, entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainable environment and quality of life together with social infrastructure.
The goal of this strategic document is to ensure diversification of the region’s economy with utilisation of existing economic, social and institutional structures and at the same time, to minimize the negative effects of transformation of the region after the coal mining and combustion will be concluded by the end of 2023.
The action plan is financed from various sources, also European (European Social Fund, funds of the European Central Bank, IROP, LIFE, EPFRV and others).
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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15 May 2024
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In May 2024, the Government approved the update of the Action Plan for the Transformation of the Upper Nitra Coal Region. The update will ensure a better transition of activities in the plan from the planning to the implementation phase. Modifications in the Action plan include updating some parts with the latest available data, removing irrelevant measures, merging some priorities or simplifying chapters.
In order to capture the view of key stakeholders on the implementation of the Action plan, as well as possible proposals for changes in its priorities and measures, selected key entities within the region were approached before the interdepartmental comment procedure.
The discussion took place specifically with the Trenčín self-governing region, the cities of Prievidza, Partizánske and Handlová, as well as with the civil association Priatelia Zeme - CEPA and with representatives of the private sector. The Government has approved the release of funds in the amount of EUR 5,447,518 for the year 2024 in connection with the support of mitigation and liquidation of the consequences of mining and the closing of mining fields. Additional tens of millions of euros will be allocated for this purpose in the budget of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic for the years 2025 - 2027, for the year 2025 in the amount of 14,833,235 EUR, for the year 2026 in the amount of 12,946,559 EUR and for the year 2027 in the amount of 9,993,363 EUR. The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization also has the task of completing by the end of the current year the negotiations with potential investors in the region, whose operations are to create more than 700 new jobs.More than 225 million EUR have been earmarked for the transformation of the Upper Nitra region. Of this, 120 million are already in current calls, and the remaining 85 million EUR will be determined as part of calls in 2024.
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Use of measure
Approximately 1200 miners and similar workers will be affected. The regional Employment office will receive support.
A slowdown in mining activity may bring an increase unemployment, but the slowdown will take place in phases. In addition to that assumes that up to 45% of mine employees will be older than 55 years in a year 2023, many will be entitled to early retirement.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Public employment service
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European Funds
National funds
National Recovery and Resilience Facility
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
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Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
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Form
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Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies
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Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Social partners jointly
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Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level
Involvement
Social partners, both at regional and national level, were involved in the creation of the Action Plan through the Economic and Social Council of the Slovak Republic (tripartite body).
Social partners also comment on the update of the Action plan every year, but in the third update in 2023 they did not make any major comments.
Views and reactions
Social partners accept and agree with this measure.
Sectors and occupations
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This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
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Economic area
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Sector (NACE level 2)
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B - Mining And Quarrying
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B5 Mining of coal and lignite
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This case is occupation-specific
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Occupation (ISCO level 2)
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Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport
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Sources
