How EU Funds Are Changing the Economic and Investment Environment in Coal-Mining Regions

European funds are already reshaping the economic profile of regions in transition, but the biggest question remains: how can these investments be transformed into sustainable growth and new opportunities for businesses and local communities? The new e-book “Mapping the Opportunities of a Just Transition: Investment Profiles and Best Practices,” developed as part of the COREJIO project (“One Cohesion Policy: Many Regions in Sync for a Just Transition”), funded under the European Union’s Cohesion Policy.

The publication presents an in-depth economic and investment analysis of the development of the three Bulgarian regions in transition – Stara Zagora, Pernik, and Kyustendil. The book demonstrates that these regions cannot be lumped together: each region has its own reality, different resources, and a unique path to transformation – from Stara Zagora’s industrial strength and hydrogen ambitions, through Pernik’s strategic proximity to the capital, to Kyustendil’s struggle with demographic decline and the development of modern agriculture.

The book’s analytical framework is supplemented by expert perspectives from leading figures, such as Deputy Prime Minister for European Funds Atanas Pekanov, former Deputy Regional Minister Angelina Boneva, and economist Adrian Nikolov (IPI), who analyze the challenges facing the absorption of EU funds, the country’s new statistical regionalization, and the state of the labor market.

A valuable contribution to the booklet comes from the data and strategies obtained directly from municipalities in the three regions. Through their priorities, stories, and assessments, the publication demonstrates how EU funds are being put to use at the local level – what the current needs are, what goals local authorities have set, and which areas are emerging as key priorities. At the same time, it presents detailed investment information on industrial zones and parks, which are establishing themselves as the backbone of the new economy.

A Bridge Between the Past, Present, and Future

The book combines macroeconomic analysis with practical examples of successful European initiatives, building a clear bridge between the stages of transformation:

• How EU funds have already transformed regions: The publication highlights the tangible results of projects already implemented – upgraded infrastructure, green transportation (electric buses), energy-efficient building retrofits, digital hubs, and support for small businesses;
• Successful case studies: It features specific stories of thriving businesses (such as the Stara Zagora-based giant “Arsenal” and the Kyustendil-based company “AB-Term,” which exports to German railways), innovative social services (telemedicine), and cultural phenomena such as the “Surva” festival;
• Future Projects: The publication looks ahead to the horizon of the Just Transition Fund, hinting at the large-scale initiatives set to be funded – from the construction of the first “Hydrogen Valley” (the ZAHYR project) and the R&D center for defense technologies in Stara Zagora, to new green manufacturing facilities and solar parks.

The COREJIO project aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices among regions in transition and to demonstrate that cohesion policy is not merely a financial instrument, but an opportunity for long-term economic change.

This new edition is intended for representatives of institutions, the business community, local authorities, journalists, and citizens who want to learn more about the development of the three regions and the role of European investments in their future.

You can read and download the booklet online here.

The COREJIO project is implemented by the Agency for Regional Economic Development (ARED) – Stara Zagora, in collaboration with Brand Media Bulgaria (publisher of Economic.bg) and Stara Zagora Television.

Translated with DeepL.

Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.