REFRESH enters its second half, aiming to continue transforming the Moravian-Silesian Region

What has the REFRESH project brought to the Moravian-Silesian Region so far? What results has it delivered, and how successful has it been in connecting cutting-edge research with the needs of businesses and the region? These questions were addressed at the REFRESH’s off-site meeting, entitled Second Half, held on 22 October in Velké Karlovice, with representatives of the living laboratories and external partners in attendance.

Igor Ivan, Director of REFRESH and Rector of VŠB-TUO, together with the scientific directors of the four living laboratories, focused their presentations primarily on results demonstrating how researchers, businesses and other partners are working together to help transform the region. Examples included collaboration with individual companies in the automotive, energy and new materials sectors, multidisciplinary cooperation supporting Třinecké železárny, and the development of strategic plans for the Moravian-Silesian Region and the city of Ostrava.

“REFRESH is one of the best projects under the Operational Programme Just Transition that we administer. We are delighted that you have taken on the challenge of preparing such an ambitious project. You have identified highly relevant topics, creating strong potential for technology and knowledge transfer. In many cases, this is already happening,” said Jan Kříž, Director-General of the Environmental Economics Section at the Ministry of the Environment, in his opening remarks to the project implementation team.

With a grant of CZK 2.5 billion, REFRESH is the largest project supported under the Operational Programme Just Transition. “We are pleased to support the transformation of coal-mining regions while promoting innovation, education and cooperation between universities, businesses and public authorities. However, this transition should be seen not only as an economic process, but also as an opportunity to change how we think about and perceive these regions, both among the people who live there and those who view them from the outside. These regions have enormous potential and rich traditions that extend far beyond their industrial heritage. I would like people to recognise everything these regions have to offer and the opportunities they hold for the future. I believe the results of REFRESH will be important not only for the Moravian-Silesian Region, but also for the Czech Republic as a whole,” said Zuzana Mrázová, Minister of Regional Development.

Alongside the project’s impressive results, including the recruitment of 59 excellent researchers, a 388% increase in the number of international projects compared with 2023, and a 194% rise in the volume of contract research over the same period, the project leaders stressed the importance of maintaining this momentum in the years ahead. They also highlighted the need to make full use of the advanced research infrastructure established, the partnerships developed and, above all, the human capital built up, ensuring that these assets continue to benefit the region beyond the project’s lifetime.

“That is why we are already working on a follow-up project that would build on REFRESH, using the established infrastructure and expertise as a springboard for new goals. These would focus on strengthening the technological, energy, security and social resilience of the Moravian-Silesian Region, with benefits extending to the Czech Republic and Europe as a whole,” explained Igor Ivan, Rector of VŠB-TUO and Director of REFRESH. He also emphasised the need to create funding opportunities to support the continued development of the Moravian-Silesian Region and other areas.