EU and U.S. coal communities collaborate as momentum and support for the transition builds

In October 2023, as a result of collaboration between the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition and the United States’ Just Transition Fund, a philanthropic re-granting organisation that supports coal communities across the U.S., a delegation of EU coal+ regions representatives travelled to Washington D.C. to participate in two coal transition events: the 2023 National Convening and the 2023 International Just Transition Meeting hosted by the Just Transition Fund U.S. The delegation included representatives from coal+ regions in Bulgaria, Romania, Belgium and Poland, alongside a representative from the EUTeens4Green project and a member of the Secretariat of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition. 

This opportunity to connect and exchange experiences took place at a pivotal time when just transition momentum is building, and extensive public funding for the transition exists for coal communities both in the EU and the U.S. The Just Transition Mechanism in the EU – which provides targeted support to help mobilise around €55 billion over the period 2021-2027 in coal+ and carbon-intensive regions – is entering its implementation phase as EU Member States begin to execute their Territorial Just Transition Plans. In the U.S., coal communities face a historic opportunity with unprecedented levels of federal support available for economic diversification, workforce development, and broadband infrastructure projects through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act.

In the wake of these developments, delegations met in Washington this October. The main event was the National Convening of major stakeholders from across the U.S., which took place over three days from 17-19 October. The EU delegation was among over 200 total participants, including community organisers, local entrepreneurs, researchers, public officials, labour unions, civil society and funders, to discuss how to manage regional transition and transformation in communities across dozens of U.S. states. A significant focus was on practicalities of accessing the variety of existing U.S. federal funds. Alongside this was the International Just Transition Meeting, which took place on 20 October and convened over 50 stakeholders representing public, private and civil society, dedicated to experience-sharing among coal transition stakeholders from the U.S., EU, Australia, India, Latin America and Africa.

The feedback from the experience was extremely positive. For most participants this was the first opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with coal community peers in the U.S. and in other countries. The EU delegation appreciated the format of the conference, which promoted conversation and collaboration amongst attendees, and made use of storytelling that tied transition experiences to the lives and motivations of individuals and communities, inspiring and leaving a long-lasting impression on the audience present.

Many shared challenges exist across coal communities internationally – including job losses, depopulation, lower levels of education, and lower levels of social participation. However, the varied global regions are often taking unique approaches to adddress these. Participants were keen to learn that in the U.S., for example, a stronger focus is placed on entrepreneurship and self-organisation of actors, which fosters ownership of the process amongst stakeholders. In comparison, participants highlighted that the process in the EU is more structured and politically-led, pointing to the positives of this approach, which enables coordinated action across EU coal+ regions. 

As the speed and necessity of the coal transition increases, so does the value of exchange, to learn from the successes and mistakes of others undertaking the same processes. The Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition hopes to build on this exchange to further develop collaboration between EU and international coal+ region stakeholders.

Image of Andrzej Błachowicz of the Secretariat of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition speaking at the event.