Government programme gives hope to Czech mining regions
November 28, 2018The Czech RE:START programme is a unique attempt by a government in central and eastern Europe to help coal regions develop in alternative ways. The town of Most...
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Can Borsod county escape the coal mine curse?
November 26, 2018A former mining region struggling to recover is threatened by the opening of new mines. A significant part of Borsod, the coal-rich part of BAZ county in northeast...
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Coal mining leaves Bulgarian communities drained
November 23, 2018As the largest underground mine in Bulgaria closes this year in Bobov Dol, the community worries about its future. Georgi Terziski is clipping bunches of grapes from the...
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Hungary, Slovakia signal intentions for moving beyond coal
November 22, 2018The road to a coal free EU may soon wind an unexpected detour through central Europe. At an early November meeting of the European Commission’s Coal Regions in...
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Slovakia announces end of coal subsidies in 2023
November 21, 2018Slovakia will phase out subsidies for coal mines supplying one of the country’s most polluting power plants, Novaky (266 MW), in the region of Upper Nitra, as of...
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Local communities in Slovakia plan a post-coal future
November 21, 2018Mayors in Upper Nitra warn that a coal phaseout in the region is inevitable and are already preparing alternatives. If ever travellers reach Prievidza, the administrative centre of...
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‘Islands of culture’ shape the future of the Jiu Valley, Romania
November 19, 2018A group of social entrepreneurs are breathing new life into a former mining community in Romania. It was all grey. Grey hills, grey houses, grey forest. Grey silhouettes...
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Everything will dry out when the mines come
November 16, 2018Even before the excavation I said, ‘You’ll see what will happen with the water and the trees. Everything will dry out.’ But hardly anyone believed me. As the...
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Just Transition: Mission Possible for the Maritsa Iztok complex in Bulgaria?
November 13, 2018Reflecting the European trend for phasing out highly polluting fuels like coal, this preliminary analysis outlines options for a just energy transition in the broad region surrounding the...
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The unknown side of Greece: A visit to the country’s valley of coal
October 22, 2018Costas Poutakidis is not one to give up easily. As the chairman of the local community, he defends his home and its inhabitants – if worst comes to...
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