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In the tri-border area of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, lignite mining has long shaped local dynamics—and tensions. While the open-pit mine is economically vital for the Polish side, its environmental impact is viewed critically in Germany and the Czech Republic. One thing is clear: the region is undergoing profound change. And who could understand this better than the people who live there?
To support a positive transformation, the cities of Zittau (DE), Bogatynia (PL), and Hrádek nad Nisou (CZ) surveyed around 800 residents as part of the project Common Ground – Shaping Across Borders. The central question: What needs to change to make the region more livable in the future? Top priorities included expanding cross-border public transport and offering more language learning opportunities.
These ideas were further developed in participatory workshops. This kind of citizen engagement is not only a first for the region—it also marks the beginning of long-term change. The next step is to put the ideas to the test and integrate them into the tri-border region’s development framework.
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Insights
City view of Zittau with market square, town hall, and mountain silhouette.
Cooling tower of the Turów power plant, with residential buildings in the foreground.
The Turów opencast lignite mine near Bogatynia, with the power plant in the background.
Participants at the citizen workshop held at Villa Schubert in Hrádek nad Nisou.
Challenging topics were also addressed and discussed collectively during the citizen workshop.
Participants unfold a colorful parachute cloth together—a vivid symbol of cooperation, diversity, and shared responsibility across borders.
During the workshop, ideas were written down, discussed, and presented—reflecting a shared commitment to shaping the region’s future together.