A workshop on just transition took place in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 14 December 2022. The event was organised by the Secretariat of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine and by the Secretariat for European Affairs of the North Macedonian Government, with the support of the EU Delegation to the Republic of North Macedonia.

Stakeholders from local, regional, and national levels were brought together at the workshop with the aim of raising awareness about just transition as well as sharing their experiences and good practices. Furthermore, the event provided a platform for presenting and discussing North Macedonia's draft Action Plan for Just Transition.

The workshop highlighted the existing framework that is already in place in North Macedonia, which not only provides a good starting point for phasing-out coal but also gives North Macedonia an opportunity to position itself as a just transition frontrunner in the Western Balkans.

While the Municipality of Bitola has already set a positive example, an even stronger bottom-up approach is needed; the local level of authorities should play a crucial role in the just transition process. Citizens' involvement and participatory approaches are instrumental for a successful just transition, as well as securing necessary funding.