Political dialogue (29/10/2021)

October was marked by two key events in the dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans and Ukraine. We have collected main documents that detail the outputs of these meetings and shed light on the recently adopted EU-Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

Brdo Quote (29/10/2021)

Brdo Quote

What are the next steps? (29/10/2021)

Applications for the coal regions exchange programme closed on 30 September. The first result is clear already: the programme has generated active interest among coal regions. The applicants represent many EU countries and, most importantly, all the countries targeted by the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine.

Voices from the regions: sharing first-hand experiences on coal phase out in Europe and beyond (05/11/2021)

Join us at COP26 on 5 November at 12.30 CET as European and international practitioners share their insights and lessons on how to ensure a just transition away from coal.

Just Transition Platform Meeting - Coal Regions in Transition virtual week and Carbon-intensive regions seminars (15/11/2021)

The event will provide participants with updates and lessons learnt so far regarding the ongoing preparations of Territorial Just Transition Plans. Learn about important topics expected to be developed under these plans, hear from regions on their journeys towards coal phase out, and much more.

Report on the annual meeting of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine (29/10/2021)

The initiative’s meeting took place in June 2021 and gathered around 200 participants. It promoted political dialogue, visibility and momentum of the transition agenda in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. The report summarises the outcomes of the event.

JRC Report: Recent trends in coal and peat regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine (29/10/2021)

The report investigates the future of solid fossil fuels in the Western Balkans and Ukraine and the impact of the energy transition on the number of jobs related to these activities.

Agora Energiewende: The future of lignite in the Western Balkans (29/10/2021)

The study develops analytically robust scenarios for a lignite phase-out by 2040. The results demonstrate: the planned and gradual phase-out of lignite will ensure security of supply, while a renewables-based power system is a ‘no regret’ strategy for the Western Balkans.

PEET: The Political Economy of Energy Transition in Southeast Europe - Barriers and Obstacles (29/10/2021)

The study offers understanding of the barriers to an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable energy transition and how to overcome them. Focusing on implementing EU rules, the authors suggest actions for a bottom-up and top-down approach, strengthening the overall rule of law and benefiting from cooperation.

Articles (29/10/2021)

Articles

Launch of the Western Balkans Coal Regions in Transition Public Perception Survey (29/10/2021)

The objective of the survey is to understand awareness, perspectives and expectations of citizens living in these coal regions related to the concept of just transition.

Western Balkan municipalities kick off the development of Local Air Quality Plans under the Clean Air Regions Initiative (CARI) (29/10/2021)

The first physical workshop under CARI took place on 8-9 September 2021 in Szeged, Hungary, where representatives of the participating municipalities came together to start developing ambitious local air quality policies and measures.

Study on flexibility options for a decarbonized energy system (29/10/2021)

The Energy Community Secretariat has launched a study on flexibility options for the electricity supply system to support decarbonisation in the Energy Community. The study is aimed at assisting the Contracting Parties in assessing the future flexibility needs as a result of decarbonisation in the transitional period until 2030 and from 2030 to 2040.

Coal regions exchange programme (08/08/2021)

Coal regions in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the EU are invited to join an exchange programme to accelerate just local energy transitions. The programme is an opportunity for regions to start direct, one-to-one dialogues, connect with different stakeholders, learn from each other, and transfer knowledge on moving away from coal. Deadline for applications: 15 September 2021.

Annual meeting of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine (08/08/2021)

The initiative’s annual meeting took place on 23-24 June 2021. Watch the event recordings to hear the voices from coal regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine and learn more about the support that the initiative makes available for the regions.

Socio-economic challenges of energy transitions (08/08/2021)

This panel discussion saw the participation of representatives of the Banovići municipality (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Confederation of Free Trade Unions (North Macedonia), RES Foundation, and CEE Bankwatch Network.

Environmental / repurposing challenges of transitions (08/08/2021)

The panellists represented the University of Tuzla, Myrnohrad municipality (Ukraine) - Platform for Sustainable Development of Coal Towns (Donetsk region), DTEK Energy, and Katowice Branch of Industrial Development Agency.

Clean energy alternatives for coal regions (08/08/2021)

The speakers in this panel represented the Pljevlja municipality (Montenegro), Parliament of Montenegro, Agora Energiewende, Climate Action Network, and Balkan Green Foundation.

What does the initiative offer to regions? (08/08/2021)

Learn about the support provided to the coal regions by international organisations co-leading the initiative.

Poland-Ukraine knowledge exchange programme (08/08/2021)

Read about the exchange of experiences between the coal regions Eastern Wielkopolska, Silesia (Poland), Volyn and Luhansk (Ukraine) through study visits' programme.

Stakeholder engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina (08/08/2021)

Five virtual stakeholder engagement workshops took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina during July 2021.

Workshop on environmental issues (08/08/2021)

Ukrainian governmental officials participating in the workshop indicated their utmost interest in the topics in focus.

Call for Expression of Interest for the CIF Accelerating Coal Transition Investment programme (12/08/2021)

Through the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine, assistance will be provided to countries wishing to submit an Expression of Interest to participate in this investment programme. Deadline: 27 August 2021.

Survey on training needs of just transition stakeholders (12/08/2021)

Fill out the questionnaire to help develop an optimal training programme for the Coal Regions Learning Academy courses.

Energy Community Just Transition Forum (30 June 2021): Change must be socially just and inclusive (08/08/2021)

Participants of the forum agreed that the transition to clean energy should be based on honest communication and full engagement of local communities, prioritize the needs of the energy poor and their views, and capitalise on the innovative potential of new generations.

Western Balkans mayors commit to tackle air quality challenges (08/08/2021)

Mayors of 9 municipalities - Banovići, Kakanj, Lukavac, Maglaj, Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Bitola (North Macedonia), Novi Sad, Niš (Serbia) and Pljevlja (Montenegro) - signed a declaration launching the Clean Air Regions Initiative (CARI).

Initative about (09/08/2021)

The Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine (WBUA) aims to help regions to move away from coal towards a carbon-neutral economy, while ensuring that this transition is just. It fosters dialogue across regions and between stakeholders through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and exchange between coal regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine and in the EU. The initiative is led by the European Commission and six collaborating international partners: the World Bank, the Energy Community Secretariat, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, Poland’s National Fund for Environment Protection and Water Management, and the College of Europe in Natolin.

P Pinho quote (13/08/2021)

The EU is strongly committed to work together with the Western Balkans and Ukraine to move forward on the path towards decarbonisation of the energy sector. As Europeans, we can work hand in hand on making this transition just.