The Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind. The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is one of its three pillars (together with the InvestEU Just Transition Scheme and the Public Sector Loan Facility). As the new instrument of the Cohesion policy supports the territories most affected by the transition towards climate neutrality to avoid regional inequalities.
The fund alleviates the socio-economic costs triggered by the climate transition, supporting the economic diversification and reconversion of the territories concerned, helping people to adapt in a changing labour market. It backs the activities that are directly linked to JTF specific objectives, for instance:
- productive investments in small and medium-sized enterprises
- research and innovation activities
- environmental rehabilitation
- clean energy
- up-and reskilling of workers
- job-search assistance and active inclusion of jobseekers
- transformation of existing carbon-intensive installations when these investments lead to substantial emission cuts and job protection.
In order to unlock and implement JTF resources, EU member states need to prepare strategic Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP) - identifying the eligible territories that are expected to be the most negatively impacted by the climate transition. The plans will be annexed to the Cohesion Policy programmes entailing support for the JTF. A designated national managing authority provides information on the programme, selects projects and monitors implementation.
• National or Regional managing authorities
• DG REGIO
Projects examples – to come
The list of Territorial Just Transition plans – to come
The list of managing authorities – to come.