After the working consultation Minister Zvone Černač visited the Ivan Cankar Primary School in Trbovlje. The principal mag. Mojca Lazar Doberlet and the pupils presented the exterior of the school which was renovated with the help of EU funds. The new urban gardens help children get an insight into how herbs and vegetables are grown. Photoactive paving units were laid next to the school to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the air. A teaching apiary was also set up near the school where children learn about the basics of beekeeping. The newly planted trees are used for practical demonstrations of tree pruning. As part of the project, a leaflet on the importance of local self-sufficiency and raised beds was designed and workshops for various vulnerable groups were organised. The Minister underlined: ‘It is important that young people also learn about sustainable principles through the educational process. The project of the Ivan Cankar Primary School in Trbovlje is an example of good practice on how to bring topical issues closer to children in an interesting and informed manner. Green transition, as we like to call it, is the main goal of the strategic documents of the Member States and the European Union, which will allocate substantial funds for this purpose over the next decade – both under the NextGenerationEU instrument and the multiannual financial framework.’

After the practical demonstration of the new external arrangement of the primary school, the Minister met with and the director of the Chipolo company, Primož Zelenšek. Chipolo is a start-up and is an example of good practice in obtaining EU funds. The EU-supported investment helped the company increase its online presence in foreign markets, optimise production and develop new products. With the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund the company presented their products at international fairs abroad. The Minister and the Director also discussed the possibilities of obtaining funds to support start-ups for fair appearances and the issue of obtaining funds in the frame of various calls for proposals. The Minister said that companies in Zasavje will also be able to apply for funds under the Just Transition Fund. ‘Investments by small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups, that will address region’s challenges in securing new jobs and training and retraining workers, can count on financial support under the Just Transition Fund. We will also use this mechanism to promote research and development in the field of green and sustainable energy.’

The Minister also met with the Mayor of Litija, Franci Rokavec, and Member of the Parliament Boris Doblekar. They discussed the implementation of the Agreement on the Development of Regions mechanism in the current and future financial perspective 2021-2027 and the opportunities of the Just Transition Fund.

The two-day visit to the Zasavje region will conclude in Trbovlje at a public tribune with mayors, businessmen and other development actors in the region. The event will be attended by State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs who yesterday took part in a consultation on Cohesion Policy in the frame of Government visit to Zasavje titled Developing regions with European funds – What will the new period of EU Cohesion Policy bring? The event took place in Zagorje ob Savi and was hosted by the Anton Korošec Institute, the Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi and the Regional Development Agency Zasavje.

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