“We see the boat and we want to get on board”: Kyustendil is on the path to a just transition

Unlike other regions, the wave of transition hit Kyustendil about 8 – 10 years ago, when most of the mines were closed. The consequences were visible – mass emigration, unemployment, and caravans of cars leaving the city for Sofia.

We were literally thrown into the deep end without any help,“ recalled the mayor of the city, Eng. Ognyan Atanasov, during the opening of the International Conference ”Fair Transition in Kyustendil."

The forum, co-funded by the European Union, is organized by Brand Media Bulgaria in partnership with the Municipality of Kyustendil, Elektrohold Bulgaria, and Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant.

The mayor sees an opportunity in the context of the transformation. According to him, it is precisely Kyustendil's difficult experience that can be turned into an advantage. “It is extremely important for us to receive adequate information from people who have already gone through a just transition so that we can make an informed choice,” he said.

The region is already taking concrete action. One of the main goals is to create an industrial zone that will attract investment and open new jobs. Atanasov pointed out that over 200 companies took part in a meeting dedicated to one of the procedures—support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

If some of them win with their projects, they will create well-paid jobs in the region,“ he emphasized.

The key word in Kyustendil's strategy is ”realism." The mayor insists that the closure of coal-fired power plants should not be rushed. “Jobs must be preserved, and workers must be retrained in activities close to their current profession. It is difficult for someone from the mining industry to become an IT specialist, but they can be an excellent specialist in the maintenance of renewable energy facilities,” Atanasov explained.

Training is also a priority. “I am in favor of people being trained within the companies themselves, by good practitioners and theorists. That is how knowledge is best acquired,” he added. According to him, a well-prepared transition is essential.

The better the preparation, the less blood will be shed in the battle.“

Atanasov also expects experience from abroad to be adapted to the Bulgarian reality: ”We have to do it in accordance with our reality."

In conclusion, the mayor clearly emphasized that Kyustendil has already gone through the hardest part of the process. "I think that of the three affected areas, Stara Zagora will be the hardest hit because the wave has not yet hit them. It has already hit us and we were thrown into the deep without a life belt. We can already see the boat we can get on, and I believe that if we act wisely, we can go through this process in the right way."

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 or the Managing Authority. Neither the European Union nor the Managing Authority can be held responsible for them.

Translated with DeepL.