The 9th edition of the ‘Just Transition Platform Conference’, organised by the European Commission, opened in Brussels on Tuesday 16 April. The two-day event brought together over a thousand participants from European regions supported by the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the progress made and to discuss best practice in the 96 regions concerned across the European Union.
At the inaugural session, the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, and her counterpart in charge of Energy, Kadri Simson, both stressed the major importance of citizen involvement in accelerating the deployment of renewable energies in the EU. Ms Ferreira highlighted the way in which the projects financed by the JTF embodied the Union’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens and their future.
During the discussions, numerous projects were presented as concrete examples of the progress made, illustrating the positive impact of the fund on territories in transition. These include an innovative campus in Groningen (Netherlands), a geothermal power plant in Košice (Slovakia), sustainable agriculture initiatives in Megalopolis (Greece) and a hydrogen pilot project in Sweden.
The European Commission’s Director General for Regional and Urban Policy, Themis Christophidou, closed the first day by talking about these projects and reaffirming the importance of stakeholder involvement and the commitment of civil society.
She affirmed the need for effective governance and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the transition is beneficial in an equitable way. The conference also addressed fundamental issues such as the fight against poverty and the development of skills for a green future.
The ‘Just Transition Platform’, set up in 2020 to provide technical support and facilitate access to the information needed to maximise the use of the funds available under the Just Transition Mechanism (see EUROPE 12706/3), of which the JTF, representing €19.2 billion, is a central element.
The conference will conclude on Wednesday 17 April with a speech by Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, who will stress the importance of developing workers’ skills to reap the full benefits of the green transition. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)