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Charleroi, town hall and slag heap

Charleroi, Belgium

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Charleroi, town hall and slag heap
©JeanLuc | Adobe Stock

Charleroi, the largest city in Wallonia, lies at the centre of a conurbation of over half a million inhabitants. It is an industrial city, particularly renowned for its steel and glass industries, located at the heart of a former mining area. It is now redirecting its economy and addressing social challenges, and has great development potential thanks in particular to its proximity to major transport routes. Brussels South Charleroi Airport is Belgium’s second largest in terms of passenger numbers.

Examples of projects and initiatives supported by the EU

Sustainable responsible tourism strategy for slag heaps in the Franco-Walloon coal basin

The EU has supported the Franco-Belgian cross-border Destination Terrils project, which aims to support tourism and economic development in this area while helping to keep these sites intact and preserve their heritage for sustainable development. The project covers two French departments (Nord and Pas de Calais) and four districts in the Walloon region of Belgium (Charleroi, Ath, La Louvière and Dinant).

Urban renewal of the lower town of Charleroi

The European Union has helped revitalise the lower town of Charleroi by contributing EUR 21 million (40% of the total cost of EUR 52 million) to the Phénix urban renewal project, which includes regenerating the ‘Triangle’ district, developing the banks of the River Sambre and building the ‘Placerelle’ footbridge over the Sambre.

Urban renewal of the upper town of Charleroi

EU funds have helped to renew the upper town of Charleroi as part of the Creative District project, and in particular a university centre, a marina, the Palais des Beaux-Arts performing arts theatre and the Grand Palais exhibition centre, which also has conference facilities. As part of the project, which has a budget of EUR 142 million, major roads and public spaces are being revamped.

Support for SMEs in the Charleroi region

At the former Caterpillar manufacturing plant in Gosselies, the EU contributed EUR 10 million (40% of the total cost) to a project that supports the start-up, growth and transfer of SMEs in the Charleroi region.

Project to finance innovative companies in the Charleroi region

The EU has provided almost EUR 5 million, 40% of the total costs, to a project that finances innovative companies in the Charleroi region.

Centre for Medical and Molecular Imaging (CMMI) - equipment acquisition

The EU is also funding research, development and innovation activities at the Gosselies Biopark, which employs 3 000 people in the biotechnology sector. Thanks to EU financial support, in 2011, the Université libre de Bruxelles and the University of Mons set up the Centre for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI). More recently, the CMMI has received an EU grant to purchase equipment.

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