In a significant move toward regional revitalization, the Czech government has given the green light to the first grant under a specialized subsidy program aimed at transforming areas impacted by mining. With an anticipated distribution of approximately 41 billion crowns, this program is strategically designed to support research, innovation, job creation, cultural initiatives, and energy-saving projects. Municipalities, regions, companies, and research institutions are eligible beneficiaries of these funds.

The approved grant is earmarked for the construction of the Black Cube in Ostrava, a multi-functional facility set to house the Moravian-Silesian Scientific Library, a cinema, creative workshops, classrooms, and a digitization laboratory. The completion of this ambitious project is slated for 2027. Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) emphasized that the Black Cube embodies the region’s visionary shift from coal mining to data mining.

Implemented under the Operational Program “Fair Transformation,” the initiative specifically addresses the negative impacts resulting from the transition away from coal in regions like Karlovy Vary, Moravian-Silesian, and Ústí. The program, operational from 2021 to 2027, is also considering funding for lithium mining in Cínovec through a grant application from the company Geomet.

With the program already fielding project proposals totaling 20.4 billion crowns, Hladík outlined the goal of supporting projects with added value to help elevate salaries in these regions to national averages.

Supported activities encompass investments in small and medium enterprises, including startups, research and innovation, as well as the renewal and repurposing of areas affected by brown and black coal mining. Petr Valdman, Director of the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic, underscored the crucial role of the program in investing in education and requalification.

Several noteworthy projects are in the pipeline, showcasing the program’s potential impact. The Medard project in the Karlovy Vary region aims to transform a secluded location in Sokolov into a new leisure space. In the Ústí region, initiatives like Synergys are focused on developing conditions for implementing clean energy sources. These projects signify a bold step forward in transforming mining-affected regions, contributing to the building of a sustainable and resilient future.

Article by Prague Forum