Today, June 22, in Chervonohrad, a pilot project “Support to structural changes in the coal regions of Ukraine” was presented, implemented by GIZ with the support of the German Government.
The main goal of the project in Chervonohrad is the transformation of the coal industry on the example of the Velikomostivska mine of Lvivugol on socially acceptable terms: creation of new productions, retraining and training of residents, development of the social sphere and infrastructure, solving environmental issues.
Among the participants of the consultative meeting: representatives of GIZ, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, local authorities and local governments, specialized state coal enterprises, civil society organizations.
The participants presented the planned activities on the territory of the Chervonohrad City Council, as well as new approaches to cooperation in view of the war in Ukraine.
Iryna Hrymak, the head of the Lviv Regional Council, took part in the discussion, emphasizing that in this difficult time for Ukraine we must develop our economy, take care of communities and improve the quality of life of residents.
“Chervonohrad is a mining region, there are a number of challenges related to the used territories, where heavy industry was once carried out. Therefore, we are talking not only about production areas that need to be transformed, but also about people who need to be involved in a modernized economy.
I am sure that the residents of the Chervonohrad community will get a new chance to realize their business activity, skills, abilities, potential, which will definitely contribute to the development of the territory.
As a regional government, we will fully support such development projects, so once again we call on the communities of Lviv region to be active, voice their initiatives and appeal to their partners, “Iryna Hrymak stressed.
According to Chervonohrad Mayor Andriy Zalivsky, the Velykomostivska mine will operate until October, and then will be closed by order of the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine.
“Some miners will retire, others will be offered jobs in working mines. As of today, there is no big problem in this, because only one mine is closed.
GIZ promises to allocate up to UAH 5 million. to develop documentation for the closure of the Velykomostivska mine, ”Andriy Zalivskyi said.
In turn, the head of the regional office of GIZ Halyna Lytvyn stressed that Chervonohrad was lucky to become a pilot project together with Myrnohrad, Donetsk region.
“Initiatives that will be implemented in these cities will be able to be implemented by the state in other coal territories.
The project “Support to structural changes in the coal regions of Ukraine” is designed for three years, during which GIZ will support the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine and Chervonohrad City Council, which are its partners.
The main task of GIZ is to accompany the national authorities and Lvivugol in the process of closing the mine, so that it happens in accordance with the standards and taking into account the interests of the community. That is why consultations with local residents on the further development of Chervonohrad will continue until the end of the year, in particular, redevelopment of the city, job creation, comprehensive business support, ”Halyna Lytvyn said.
We will remind, in August, 2021 the meeting of the chairman of the Lviv regional council Irina Grimak with the commissioner of the federal government of Germany concerning coal transformation in Ukraine Stanislav Tillich took place.