“Just Transition Opportunities Across Borders”

International Forum on Economic Transformation of Coal Regions

“Brand Media Bulgaria” is pleased to invite you to the international forum “Just Transition Opportunities Across Borders”, which will be held on September 25, 2024 in the Panorama Hall, Expo Hotel in Sofia. The event is part of the Transition of Opportunities (TOP) project, which aims to give more visibility to the contribution of the European Union Cohesion Policy, the Just Transition Fund and the European Recovery Plan to ensure a smooth and fair transition to a climate neutral economy.

The forum will provide up-to-date information on the steps and opportunities for economic development in the three coal-mining regions of Bulgaria – Pernik, Stara Zagora and Kyustendil. It will promote inter-regional cooperation with other countries with coal regions in transition and contribute to a better understanding of investment opportunities and policy challenges related to the green transition.

The event will bring together leading experts, representatives of the EU institutions, local authorities and business leaders from Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary and others. Among the speakers are representatives of the European Commission, mayors and district governors of coal regions, economists, business representatives, researchers, among others.

Access: The forum is open to all interested parties. Participation is free, but registration is required. The working languages are Bulgarian and English, with simultaneous translation between the two languages provided. Link to the English livestream will be sent to all registered participants.

Organizer: The organizer of the event is Brand Media Bulgaria. For more information and registration, contact Aseniya Dimitrova, Project Manager, at a.dimitrova@economic.bg  or mobile +359 882 005 000.

Details can also be found on the project’s webpage: https://www.economic.bg/en/transition-opportunities

With the support of:

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides members in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics.

International Forum “Just Transition Opportunities Across Borders”

25 September 2024, Panorama Hall, Expo Hotel Sofia (and online)

AGENDA (EEST time)

10:00 – 10:30 Registration and welcome coffee

10:30 – 11:00 Opening remarks

• Boyan Tomov, Manager of Brand Media Bulgaria
• Krasimir Nenov, Deputy Minister of Energy
• Yordanka Chobanova, Head of European Commission Representation in Bulgaria
• Government representatives

11:00 – 12:30 Panel 1: Fostering National Collaboration

• Lyudmil Veselinov, Governor of Pernik District
• Aleksandar Pandurski, Governor of Kyustendil District
• Zhivko Todorov, Mayor of Stara Zagora
• Е Ognian Atanasov, Mayor of Kyustendil
• Stefan Krystev, Deputy Mayor of Pernik
• Q&A session

Moderator: Slavtcho Neykov, Institute for Energy Management

12:30 – 13:15 Lunch Break

13:15 – 14:45 Panel 2: Fostering Interregional Collaboration

• Keynote Speech: Energy transition, carbon neutrality and cross border cooperation: institutional and financial framework.
  George Kremlis, Honorary Director of the European Commission, Ambassador of the European Public Law Organisation to Bulgaria; Member of its BoD and Director of its Circular economy and Climate Institute, Chairman of the Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol
• Interreg Europe – Opportunities for capacity building with EU cooperation
  Elena Ferrario, Senior Thematic Manager, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
• Delivering a just and equitable transition in Ida-Virumaa, Estonia
  Ivan Sergejev, Just Transition Process coordinator at the Estonian Ministry of Finance
• Just Transition in Sisak Moslavina County
  Mihael Juric, Deputy Prefect of Sisak Moslavina County, Croatia
• Q&A session

Moderator: Dr Rumyana Grozeva, Agency for Regional Economic Development of Stara Zagora

14:45 – 15:15 Coffee Break

15:15 – 16:15 Panel 3: Workshop

Join us for an engaging and interactive session as industry experts, entrepreneurs, and business representatives come together to explore innovative solutions and strategies for a just transition in coal-dependent regions. This workshop aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and foster collaboration among stakeholders. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the practical challenges and opportunities in achieving a climate-neutral economy, with a focus on regional economic development and sustainable practices.

• Svetoslav Ivanov, Executive Director of Overgas Inc, Bulgaria
• Prof. Mariusz Kruczek, Department of Water Protection, Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute, Poland
• Piskóti-Kovács Zsuzsa, Head of Coal Commission Secretariat for Hungary
• Jiri Sterba, SUAS GROUP, Czechia
• Indalecio González Fernández, Technical and projects coordinator at the Asturian Energy Foundation, Spain
• Other business and expert representatives

Moderator: Dr Rumyana Grozeva, Agency for Regional Economic Development of Stara Zagora, Slavtcho Neykov, Institute for Energy Management

16:15 – 16:30 Closing remarks

Co-financed by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author( s ) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Governing Body. Neither the European Union nor the Managing Authority can be held responsible for them.