In the face of climate change and the risks associated to it, the EU through its Green Deal set the ambitious goal of becoming climate neutral by the year 2050. Logically this imposes a major overhaul of EU member states economies especially in highly polluting sectors.
The deadline of 2050 also sets a fast pace for transition, one that cannot be achieved without the EU’s help in ensuring this transition is fair for workers and communities that depend on carbon-intensive industries. For this reason, no instrument is better suited to aid the transition than the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The instrument pairs the objective of green growth along with efforts to turn the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, with the imperative of leaving no person, community, region behind, the number one objective of cohesion policy.
Territories reliant on highly polluting or extractive industries will be required to diversify their economy, maintain social cohesion, and (re)train the affected workers and youth to prepare them for future jobs. This major undertaking, while it can be initiated now, will depend on the commitment and collective action of young generations.
The role of youth in the Just Transition grows increasingly pre-eminent and regularly resurfaces in discussions about the Just transition fund. This given was also evoked by Catherine Wendt from the Commission’s Directorate General for Regional and Urban policy while moderating a panel entitled Emerging Voices: Youth Shaping Just Transitions Around the World at the 9th Just Transition Platform Conference that took place in Brussels on April 16 and 17 (all the panels are accessible here).
The panel – which can be viewed in full here - focused on the testimonies of young activists from outside the EU. All interventions homed in on the importance of youth activism and societal collective efforts to influence policy and reforms that uplift sustainable practices and green projects.
Within the EU, youth participation to the Just transition is supported by the EUTeens4Green initiative. EUteens4green is an opportunity for teens to take ownership and become actors of change while proposing actions to help build a green recovery in their region and hence contribute to the good governance of the Cohesion policy. The initiative allocates grants to teens contributing to the green transition in their regions, it started as a concrete response to youth-led movements demanding serious action against the looming risk of climate catastrophe.
Some ambassadors of the initiative were present at the JTP Conference and Panorama decided to let them express their thoughts on what the just transition means to them.
Alexandra Anton (25 years old, Romania,"Be Teen NGO")
The ongoing green transition is undoubtedly one of the most crucial shifts happening globally. It represents a necessary evolution towards sustainable practices in various sectors, including energy, transportation, agriculture, and more. As for my close circle, they generally share similar sentiments. We often discuss the importance of environmental conservation and the urgency of adopting green practices in our daily lives. I come from the Gorj region, known for its strong mining activity over the years. According to the plans committed to by 2032, the surface lignite mines will close. Unfortunately, in my region, citizens, especially the youth, don't know much about the concept of a just transition. I chose to get involved because I care about my community, about the young people, and about the present and future of individuals like me in the region.
Also from Romania, Andreea-Anca Sin, 23 years old, working on the project "Identity in transition” with the association Kandila, emphasizes the urgency of the green transition:
For me "green transition" is very important, and I think it is becoming more and more obvious that something needs to be done. Climate change in recent years has become something unspeakable and I think we've reached the point where micro-changes are no longer enough. I try to do my best, even if it's not easy.
As for friends and family here the difference between generations is very… tricky.
I think my close friends are also aware and I think on a personal level we all try as much as possible not to abuse the resources of the planet, but for my family - here the situation is different because I come from a country where environmental education does not exist. My parents do not have such easy access to information…being older. They consume a lot of national news that is politically influenced, which lately is...problematic.
As for what is happening in Romania at the national level, just recently I saw a very interesting investigation called "Garbage Mafia" by Recorder, and already the title gives you a little glimpse of what is really happening...
Piotr Czerniejewski (23 years old, Poland, "Young Locals association")
I live in the Eastern Wielkopolska region which is based on lignite extraction. My grandparents worked in a factory which produced mining equipment and my dad worked in the lignite mine administration. When they announced that our region is going to get rid of lignite we got scared of our future. My dad was worried but eventually he found even a better job before the closing process started. That was the moment I decided I want to get engaged in the just transition process in order to ensure the social needs are taken care of in policy planning. As you can see the job market in the region is unstable so my priority is to speak loudly about the youth and how it's not easy for us to enter the job market during the transition. Even if it is all personal for my family, we support the transition knowing it would happen eventually. It is better to plan this process in order for it to be more just than just close the whole industry in one moment without conducting the process of just transition.
Killian Woods (28 years old, Ireland, "Worldology")
I believe that more has to be done and that we should be wary of the term net zero. Should we continue to grow unsustainably, we will have to innovate at a faster pace to balance the offset of the growing pollution. My close circle believe that we need to focus on capacity development and upskilling the workforce for the green transition.
Andreea-Anca Sin (23, years old, Romania, "Kandila")
Absolutely, the EU institutions play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a sustainable environment. Based on the principle, if not the European institutions, then who?
I think it is already obvious that although important, personal changes based on sustainable personal decisions are no longer enough.
The EU establishes environmental standards and regulations that member states must respect. These regulations cover areas such as air and water quality, waste management etc. so I think they can and they SHOULD become more and more involved in this direction.
EU institutions can also provide funding for research and innovation projects focused on environmental sustainability such as green transportation, clean energy…
I am from a mining region, and we have been working for quite some years now on what is known as “industrial tourism”. We are basically trying to turn the history of mining into something that can be economically productive today. But it’s quite difficult because the community is quite reluctant and most of the times, we don’t have enough financial support for our projects. I think they can provide targeted funding to heavily affected areas. They can also facilitate experience exchange programs/study visits between areas in transition to provide mutual learning contexts.
In fact, any initiative that comes from these institutions on the areas affected by transition must be adapted to the local specificity of each area in accordance with the identified needs.
Piotr Czerniejewski (23 years old, Poland, "Young Locals association")
The process of just transition is not only about helping the miners which is of course essential, but it is also about creating the new vision of development for coal regions and the new identity. The locals feel a bond with a region through the mining culture so this new identity should be made by the youth in order to help them feel associated with the region and abandon the idea of emigrating from those regions. The EU should help foster this social change and the needs of future generations.
Killian Woods (28 years old, Ireland, "Worldology")
I believe the EU can help ease the transition. They can help by educating the locals and training them to participate in the green transition. That can be training the locals to be facilitators in which they can teach their local communities about the green transition. They can also transition to land regeneration practices instead of draining peatlands for cutting and collecting peat.
Alexandra Anton (25 years old, Romania,"Be Teen NGO")
Just transition means that no person and no region should be left behind. Yes, EU institutions can play a crucial role in easing the transition in regions like Gorj, which are heavily reliant on industries undergoing transformation, such as mining. The transition involves not only changes in employment but also shifts in regional identity, from a mining region to a knowledge hub or other sustainable economic activities. The EU can provide financial assistance to support affected regions in implementing sustainable development strategies. This could include funding for infrastructure projects, retraining programs for workers transitioning to new industries, and investment in research and innovation hubs.
Andreea-Anca Sin (23, years old, Romania, "Kandila")
I think things are looking a bit better. I know that European Sustainable Energy Week will take place between 11-13 June this year here in Bruxelles. And everything is now accessible online as well. So, if somebody is interested in debates about climate neutral solutions or technologies, they have access to it even if they are not here in Belgium, so this is great!
As for representation, this year I am particularly happy about Nicu Stefănuță’s candidacy. I am extremely interested in the projects he proposes.
Piotr Czerniejewski (23 years old, Poland, "Young Locals association")
Most politicians don't understand that the green transition is not only about changing the source of energy from fossil fuels towards renewables. It is mostly about social justice and security, taking care of the destroyed environment and creating new jobs / infrastructure. A lot of politicians during the electoral period, try to criticise The European Green deal in order to gain political support from the conservative voters. I find it very unpleasant that they actually don't care about the future of the next generations and only see what's in front of them.
Killian Woods (28 years old, Ireland, "Worldology")
I believe that the green transition is correctly represented however we need to be careful that conflicts such as war do not take the needed momentum away from the green transition to other sectors such as military defense.
Alexandra Anton (25 years old, Romania,"Be Teen NGO")
In my region, the topic of just transition is almost not addressed in the electoral campaign because it involves significant social and economic impacts, and politicians are not willing to take responsibility for these issues. I hope that through the support offered by the EU, through funds, know-how, and resources, our region will benefit from a just transition and solutions will be found for miners, families, and especially young people.
Andreea-Anca Sin (23, years old, Romania, "Kandila")
Yes, I know and I will definitely go to vote, haha! I think the quality of our lives depends on what's going on around us politically so, yes...I'm going to vote.
Piotr Czerniejewski (23 years old, Poland, "Young Locals association")
Of course I know about the elections because I even came forward to count the voting ballots on June 9th. I plan to vote and I hope the political alliances who support the European Green Deal will have the majority in the next EU Parliament.
Killian Woods (28 years old, Ireland, "Worldology")
I do. I feel that this is a great opportunity for me to vote and participate in the EU electoral process. I do plan to vote.
Alexandra Anton (25 years old, Romania,"Be Teen NGO")
Absolutely, the upcoming European elections in June are significant. I see this process as a fundamental aspect of democracy, where citizens have the opportunity to influence the direction of EU policies and representation in the European Parliament. Therefore, yes, I do plan to vote in the upcoming European elections.
Andreea-Anca Sin (23, years old, Romania, "Kandila")
I want more informed people. I want more visibility for environmental issues… I want green spaces, I want trains to become more accessible...I want recycling to be normalized, I want the “good food revolution”! I want big companies to be taxed for the negative way they affect the environment. I want real solutions.
Piotr Czerniejewski (23 years old, Poland, "Young Locals association")
I hope that it won't fall under the pressure of some groups. I understand some of them (eg. farmers) but the EU should adjust the mechanism of support for those affected by the EGD - maybe create a more advanced version of the social climate fund.
Killian Woods (28 years old, Ireland, "Worldology")
I am hoping that the momentum pushes for more commitments from the member countries in even more ambitious EU proposals. An even more ambitious nature restoration law would be very valuable and so would carrying out capacity building initiatives in regions throughout member countries of the European Union on the 'green transition'.
Alexandra Anton (25 years old, Romania,"Be Teen NGO")
After the European elections, my hopes for the Green Deal are centred around its continued momentum and implementation. I hope to see a strengthened commitment from EU institutions and member states towards ambitious climate action and sustainability measures outlined in the Green Deal.
The Just Transition Platform (JTP) Conference highlighted the importance of young voices in shaping the EU's shift towards a sustainable and equitable future. The hopes of young activists like Alexandra Anton, Andreea Anca-Sin, Piotr Czerniejewski, and Killian Woods remind us of the need for integrating economic, environmental, and social dimensions in policy-making. Their commitment to sustainable practices, social justice, and the necessity of EU support underscores the urgency of the green transition, particularly for communities reliant on carbon-intensive industries.
In conclusion, the success of the EU's Green Deal ambitious goals hinges on the youth’s active participation and leadership, as the future we begin building today will be theirs to inhabit and improve upon for future generations.
