In 2023 the European Commission launched JTP GROUNDWORK, a new technical assistance tool under the Just Transition Platform (JTP).
- 02 October 2023
It supports Just Transition Fund regions (JTF regions) to implement their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP). Six beneficiaries (covering nine JTF regions) are currently receiving support from the first call of JTP GROUNDWORK, including Médio Tejo in the Centro region of Portugal.
Supporting economic diversification and new sustainable industries in Médio Tejo
Médio Tejo was home to the coal fired Pego power plant in Abrantes until the plant ceased operation in November 2021. The impact of the closure added to an already challenging situation of unemployment, a low level of innovation and depopulation in the region. As a part of its transition, Médio Tejo is working to diversify its economy and develop future-proof sustainable industries in the circular agri-food, biomass and forestry industries, and the hydrogen value chain, to leverage its existing economic strengths. Médio Tejo aims to attract and retain companies, foster investment in diverse industries, and promote an environment of innovation and internationalization.
Accordingly, the JTF in Médio Tejo focuses on driving economic diversification. It supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovative entrepreneurship, research, and adopting new technologies in emerging green sectors. Additionally, the fund is used to provide training opportunities for workers in the region who are affected by the ongoing energy transition. Some large enterprises may also receive support for productive investments, creating a significant number of jobs.
Collaboration on the ground
The event “Exploring Economic Diversification and Investment Opportunities”, spanning two days with workshops and roundtables, was organized by the Comunidade Intermunicipal do Médio Tejo (CIM) and the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro (CCDRC, the managing authority of the Centro Programme), together with the JTP GROUNDWORK team on behalf of the European Commission.
It was focused on building capacity amongst local and regional stakeholders in Médio Tejo to implement the region’s just transition. The event engaged around 60 stakeholders from the local, regional, national, as well as businesses and NGOs and former workers of the Pego power-plant. Representatives from the other Portuguese JTF territories (Matosinhos and Alentejo Litoral) as well as participants from Asturias (Spain), Kymenlaakso (Finland) and Megalopoli (Greece) also shared their expertise.
The main outcomes of the event were:
- Gathering inputs and ideas from regional, local and national stakeholders to support the development of future JTF projects in Médio Tejo;
- Engaging key players from the agrifood, energy, and circular economy to support the development of strategic sustainable industries in Médio Tejo;
- Identifying sectors for sustainable economic diversification and investment opportunities;
- Identifying skills needed to be developed for future sustainable industries.
JTP GROUNDWORK directly assists Médio Tejo’s just transition objectives through targeted stakeholder engagement and capacity building to develop sustainable industrial opportunities. The technical assistance focuses on defining sustainable industries, improving project call processes, identifying skills needed for future industries, and promoting investment opportunities in the region. The event programme was tailored to enhance regional development, attract investment, and foster collaboration amongst stakeholders. The technical assistance has delivered a workshop advertising JTF opportunities to key stakeholders, a workshop to develop a better understanding of key skills and training needed for the regions future development, the aforementioned ‘Exploring Economic Diversification and Investment Opportunities’ event, a workshop on a to be determined topic to support just transition governance, and several promotional materials including a promotional flyer for a recently launched project call, a reginal asset map, and a promotional video for the region’s just transition process.
This was the first in a series of events that will take place until December 2023 to close the first round of projects under JTP GROUNDWORK, marking the support that the JTP will offer to regions who need help in implementing their TJTPs. A new call for JTP Groundwork is expected early 2024.