EU launches Just Transition Platform for coal regions

According to the European Union’s executive body, the online tool will provide technical and advisory support for public and private stakeholders in coal and other carbon-intensive regions, with easy access to information on funding opportunities and sources of technical assistance.

The platform will host a database of projects and experts until the end of the year, commissionaires said.

It will ensure the EUR 40 billion proposed under the Just Transition Fund is channeled to the right projects and that no region is left behind.

A month ago, the commission proposed to increase the funds intended for the energy transition of coal regions from EUR 7.5 billion to EUR 40 billion. Southeastern Europe may get EUR 10 billion.

The platform will also support access to the dedicated scheme under InvestEU and the public sector loan facility, which together with the Just Transition Fund form the three pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism.

The platform will provide:

• Technical and advisory support to member states and regions, including on the operationalization of the territorial Just Transition Plans and the building of pipelines of projects for the Just Transition Mechanism;
• A web-based single access point, including the possibility to contact the European Commission with technical and administrative questions related to just transition;
• Sharing of information, experience and knowledge for fossil fuel and carbon-intensive regions, with a dedicated project and expert databases;
• A forum for dialogue on just transition involving local and national stakeholders, social partners, public authorities and EU institutions.

In May, the commission approved all requests made by 18 member states including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, and Romania, for support in the preparation of their territorial just transition plans, which each country will have to draw up to get access to funding from the Just Transition Mechanism.