From Mining Industry to Robotics Valley
The Jiu Valley, until recently the heart of Romania’s coal industry, serves as a powerful example of the negative consequences that can follow the chaotic closure of mines without a proper just transition plan. At the same time, the region demonstrates how local grassroots initiative can become a driving force for building a better future.
In the 1990s, coal mines in the Jiu Valley began closing en masse due to unprofitability. As a result, the number of jobs in the coal sector fell from 50,000 to just a few thousand. Thousands of people lost their livelihoods with little hope of finding employment in other sectors.
Moreover, decades of mining activity caused serious environmental degradation: soil exhaustion, flooding, and water pollution. These environmental challenges created setbacks in agriculture, urban development, and tourism.
Even in such difficult conditions, inspiring projects emerged thanks to the initiative of active citizens and non-governmental organizations, which began playing a central role in the just transition process. A network of volunteers was established to quickly and efficiently address local problems, secure funding through grants and other financial programs, implement innovative project ideas, and collaborate with the private sector through sponsorships.
Young people also became involved in the transformation process. The University of Petroșani, located in one of the valley’s mining towns, introduced courses in business and robotics into its curriculum. Meanwhile, a specialized high school opened access to a robotics laboratory, where students design their own robots and test them in competitions against other teams. These efforts led to the launch of the Robotics Valley project — an innovative social enterprise that unites five robotics teams from six coal-affected communities in the Jiu region. Plans are underway to create a dedicated robotics training center on the grounds of the former Petrila mine.
Through Robotics Valley, local residents hope to transform the Jiu Valley into an ecosystem of opportunities for younger generations. What began as a beautiful dream has evolved into a way of life.
Just a few decades ago, the University of Petroșani was a mining vocational school. Today, it has become a modern institution offering everything needed to build both technical skills and leadership capacity.
Romania is now receiving significant financial support from the European Union to implement its just transition goals and has committed to gradually phasing out fossil fuels. It has also adopted a clear regional development strategy focused on securing a decent standard of living for residents of former mining towns. But above all, it is the initiative and energy of ordinary people that inspire hope that the Jiu Valley’s immense tourism and technological potential will soon be fully realized.
