The European Commission announced on Wednesday 21 December the adoption of the Belgian and Finnish ‘Territorial Just Transition Plans’. The two countries will benefit from €182.6 and €465 million respectively from the ‘Just Transition Fund’ (JTF).
In Belgium, the programme plans to support Tournai, Mons and Charleroi in Wallonia in their move away from fossil fuels and in the decarbonisation of their heavy industry. Specifically, €40 million will be devoted to renewable energy, €68 million to energy efficiency and €14 million to research and innovation. The JTF will also contribute to the purchase of high-performance technological materials and the decontamination of former industrial sites.
In Finland, the JTF, which represents 24% of the country’s total allocation under the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy, will be invested in 14 regions. The funding will support efforts to reduce the use of peat for energy production and the retraining of professionals employed in the sector. The programme also aims to stimulate employment in the green economy, support SMEs and develop cooperation between companies and research institutes.
Finland signed its partnership agreement under the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy in May, while Belgium adopted its partnership agreement earlier this month (see EUROPE 13084/27). (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)