"Inspiring a just transition" publication (08/02/2024)
The publication synthesises insights gained from the initiative’s coal regions exchange programme and highlights the lessons learnt in 22 participating regions. It provides 14 recommendations aimed at enhancing just transitions, particularly in the Western Balkans and Ukraine but also beyond.
Annual meeting report (08/02/2024)
The concluding annual meeting of the initiative was held on 27-28 November 2023 in Brussels. Its report summarises the discussions that took place as well as provides links to additional information about the mentioned activities and projects.
Webinar series "Just energy transitions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine" (09/02/2024)
The six webinars explored topics such as transition planning, stakeholder engagement, air quality, financing opportunities, and economic diversification. Their recordings are available with subtitles in Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Serbian, and Ukrainian.
Annual meeting unveils plans for the initiative's future (15/12/2023)
The recordings and presentations of the annual meeting are available online.
Annual meeting (15/12/2023)
2023
European Commission announces €680 million investment for the Western Balkans through the Economic and Investment Plan (15/12/2023)
Two of the approved projects aim at constructing wind farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Together, we are laying the foundations for sustainable growth and closer integration, demonstrating once again our strong commitment to the region's prosperity and its path towards EU membership.
North Macedonia launched just energy transition investment platform (15/12/2023)
The platform will target the complete phase-out of coal-fired power, the deployment of 1.7 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, grid and storage investments for energy security, and just transition measures. The EBRD has been supporting North Macedonia in the development of the platform.
Ukrainian High-Level Forum on Just Transition (15/12/2023)
The 2nd Annual Ukrainian High-Level Forum on Just Transition took place in Kyiv and online on 18-19 October. This year’s theme was “Reconstruction of Ukrainian coal mining communities in today’s conditions.”
Western Balkan and Ukrainian stakeholders contribute to international fora on just transition (15/12/2023)
A delegation from the Western Balkans and Ukraine was welcomed to the 8th Just Transition Platform Conference (Brussels) and the International Forum for Coal Regions in Transition (Berlin).
Initiative webinars now available in 8 languages (30/10/2023)
Subtitles in Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, English, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Serbian, and Ukrainian are now available as part of the webinar series “Just energy transitions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine”.
Coal regions exchange programme (07/11/2023)
In September, two exchange visits were conducted as part of the coal regions exchange program. Stakeholders from coal mining communities in the Donetsk region (Ukraine) visited their counterparts in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), while representatives of the municipality of Pljevlja (Montenegro) reciprocated the visit in Velenje (Slovenia). These visits, although distinct in content, enriched discussions on local transition planning and provided valuable ideas for upcoming projects. Participants regarded them as highly successful. Read on and watch the video below to learn more about these exchanges.
Exchange between the Municipalities of Pljevlja and Velenje (video) (07/11/2023)
Exchange visit to Velenje (video)
Exchange visit to Velenje (video) (07/11/2023)
Exchange visit to Velenje (video)
Registration deadline approaching (27/11/2023)
Registration for in-person participation in the annual meeting of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine will close on 13 November. We encourage all interested stakeholders to register soon to secure their participation.
Just transition workshop in Montenegro (07/11/2023)
Dates and a strategic approach were emphasized as crucial elements during a lively and open discussion among just transition stakeholders in Montenegro.
The coal regions exchange programme is progressing at full speed. Its most recent in-person visits brought together stakeholders from Serbia and the Jiu Valley region (Romania); Kakanj municipality (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Stara Zagora region (Bulgaria); Novovolynsk, Lytovezh, Poromiv, Chervonohrad communities (Ukraine) and Małopolska and Silesia Voivodeships (Poland). Participants are eager to learn from each other, and among the main successes of the programme is the formation of new partnerships. Read more below and watch the videos to gain insights into these exchanges!
Exchange visit to Małopolska (video) (06/09/2023)
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Exchange visit to Silesia (video) (06/09/2023)
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Join the annual initiative meeting on 27-28 November in Brussels (27/11/2023)
This event will convene representatives from diverse sectors, including public authorities, international organisations, energy, civil society, academia, businesses, and media. It will offer a platform for coal regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine and the global community to engage in an open dialogue about making the just transition a reality. Mark your calendars!
Registration for the Just Transition Forum is open (04/10/2023)
The Energy Community Just Transition Forum will investigate key aspects of a just energy transition, such as policy planning and implementation, socioeconomic challenges faced by coal communities in transition, and successful and adequate financial support. It will also explore how a just transition can contribute to enhancing the air quality and address current inequalities while improving people’s lives.
Coal Regions Learning Academy has opened (06/09/2023)
The Coal Regions Learning Academy is now accessible online for all interested stakeholders. Its launch event took place at the College of Europe in Natolin on 14 June 2023. The Academy is a fundamental component of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. Developed through a collaboration between the World Bank and the College of Europe in Natolin, the Academy aims to assist stakeholders in the countries covered by the Initiative to successfully design and implement just transition strategies.
Just transition workshop in Prishtina brought stakeholders together (06/09/2023)
It provided a platform for interactive discussions, where relevant stakeholders came together to collaboratively explore ideas and discuss plans for the future of a seamless just transition.
Workshop on just transition convened in Serbia (06/09/2023)
The European Union is committed to supporting a just transition in Serbia, addressing not only energy and environmental aspects, but also socio-economic, educational, and gender perspectives.
Ukrainian coal communities propose a concept for just transition in recovery (06/09/2023)
They jointly developed a common document to define just transition’s role in the recovery process.
World Bank's investment project advancements in Bosnia and Herzegovina (06/09/2023)
The Energy and Extractives Global Practice (EEGP) of the World Bank is actively advancing project preparation for the lending operation titled "A Just Transition in Select Coal Regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina."
Join the webinar ‘Opportunities to finance energy transitions’ (25/05/2023)
25 May 2023, 15:00 CEST
Annual Political Dialogue (16/05/2023)
The European Commission and the Karlovy Vary Region happily invite just transition stakeholders to the fourth Annual Political Dialogue of the EU Initiative for coal regions in transition. The event will take place on 27–28 June 2023 in Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic).
From 14-16 March, participants of the coal regions exchange programme from Velenje (Slovenia) visited Pljevlja (Montenegro) to learn from each other’s experiences working towards just energy transitions. This visit followed a study trip to Lukavac, Banovići and Živinice, as well as one that brought stakeholders to Western Macedonia. On this occasion, we look back at these three latest exchange visits that took place within the programme. Tailored agendas, meetings with key stakeholders, and, most importantly, strong motivation of hosting and visiting delegations to move just transitions forward have proven to be their recipe for success. Learn more about the visits below and watch the videos to get first-hand impressions.
Exchange visit to Western Macedonia (video) (20/03/2023)
Exchange visit to Western Macedonia (video)
MK video (20/03/2023)
MK video
Exchange visit to Tuzla Canton municipalities (video) (20/03/2023)
Exchange visit
BA video (20/03/2023)
BA video
Voices from the regions (20/03/2023)
Reflections on moving a just energy transition forward from Banovići, Lukavac, and Živinice.
Engaging stakeholders in just transition planning: who and how? (30/03/2023)
Effective involvement of all stakeholders is a must when preparing for a just transition – but how to do it in practice? On 30 March, practitioners working on energy transitions in EU coal regions will present their best practices and lessons learnt. This webinar is the second in the series 'Just energy transitions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine'.
(How) Can energy transition be gender-just? (30/03/2023)
The webinar will underline why attention to gender equality is crucial for policymakers and industry actors, and provide tools that can ensure a truly just energy transition in the Energy Community Contracting Parties, while creating a more gender-equal world that is free of fossil fuels.
Just transition workshop in North Macedonia (20/03/2023)
Stakeholders from local, regional, and national levels came together to share their experiences and good practices.
Poland-Ukraine knowledge exchange (20/03/2023)
A delegation of Ukrainian stakeholders participated in a study tour to Poland in December 2022.
Ambitious 2030 energy targets adopted (20/03/2023)
Energy Community Ministerial Council adopted 2030 energy and climate targets and electricity market package.
