Activities of the Association of Mining Municipalities of Poland: protecting the interests of coal communities

The Association of Mining Municipalities of Poland (Stowarzyszenie Gmin Górniczych w Polsce) has been protecting the interests of Poland’s coal communities and promoting their economic and social development for over 25 years.

The Association was established in 1999 and today unites 24 mining municipalities from the Silesian, Lesser Poland, Lublin, and Lower Silesian voivodeships. This includes areas where mining or geological activities are currently or have previously taken place, as well as communities that have experienced negative social and economic consequences from these activities.

Key areas of the Association's activities include:

– Securing internal and external funding sources through initiatives to create a supra-regional program for the mining regions of Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries.

– Submitting applications for additional external funds, including through EUR-ACOM and EU institutions.

– Working on the legal possibilities for the effective collection of taxes, fees, and compensations in favor of communities engaged in mining.

– Advocating for favorable changes to legislation.

– Organizing training sessions and seminars to prepare municipalities for effectively submitting projects for EU funds.

– Promoting the implementation of activities in coal communities.

To fulfill its statutory mission, the Association of Mining Municipalities of Poland cooperates and engages in partnership dialogues with numerous global and national institutions and organizations, including:

– The European Parliament, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the Just Transition project and the Just Transition Fund.

– The Parliament and Government of the Republic of Poland, as well as various ministries and government agencies.

– The governments of the voivodeships within the Association's scope of activities.

– Local government organizations, enterprises, and institutions that support and carry out environmental restoration activities.

The Association has also been lobbying for and initiating legislative changes for many years to facilitate local governments’ management of territories left after mineral extraction. If these areas are transferred to the municipalities, they could be revitalized and utilized for the benefit of local residents.