Initiative ReSource derives from the fact, that the majority of coal-mining towns face serious problems after the end of mining. And from the fact, that things are relative. Everything that seems a problem today can as well be seen as a chance: former gangue dumping grounds can become places for biomass production, minors' dwellings and tradition can become a tourist attraction... But radical changes do not happen overnight and on their own. A lot of fresh ideas have to be tracked down and well weighed before use.

Partners have entered the ReSource project with their own knowledge, experience and ideas to confront them to that coming from other latitudes trying to find the shortest ways to make their regions attractive and competitive. The project focuses on both, natural resources, such as geothermal energy and biomass production, as well as cultural assets, eg. buidling on the mining heritage. In some cases, an integrative approach will be tested how to join different utilisation options on one site.

As two heads are better than one partners decided to unite forces in implementation of different activities like organisation of summer schools or defining studies. The results of common actions will represent effective ground for a long-term development of former mining regions. The European environment offers each partner an opportunity to check its past actions and at the same time upgrade its future activities with experience and know how of other regions.

The project includes ten partners from five countries. The project was launched on the 1st of January 2009 and will be finished on 31st of March 2012. The project whose overall budget exceeds 3 million EURO is co-financed by European Regional Development Fund within the Central Europe Programme.