9th JTP Conference reflects on the progress, social dimension and future of just transition

“Let us share and learn from each other”

European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, opened the conference by reflecting on progress with the implementation of Territorial Just Transition Plans.

“We have achieved a lot in a few short years, but this is just the beginning. There is still a lot of work to be done,” the Commissioner said, encouraging all JTF regions to progress with implementation.

“We do not always have to reinvent the wheel; let us share and learn from each other,” she added. “Let us all inspire ourselves from these projects, which are transforming economies, creating new opportunities, new jobs, new communities that are future oriented.”

Commissioner Ferreira also spoke of the importance of regional identity, using existing knowledge, and avoiding so-called “brain drain”: “We can really bring historically strong European areas – which people feel pride in – and show them a future in high-profile future industries; not just a memory of the past.”

Real projects demonstrate progress on the ground

These words set the scene for presentations from JTF projects and projects supporting JTF territories, in which practitioners presented their tangible contributions to regional just transitions.

These projects included a geothermal district heating plant in Kosice (SK), an innovative development space for small entrepreneurs in Groningen (NL), a circular organic agriculture project in Megalopoli (EL), a project focusing on economic dynamism and diversification in Médio Tejo (PT), a green energy ecosystem in Norrbotten (SE), and an innovative IT system for mapping post-mining sites in Silesia (PL), which will support investments in the re-industrialisation and transformation of the region.

“Across Europe, you are delivering projects on the ground. We are doing this together in way that is tailored to each region, catering to specific needs and ambitions for the future,” Commissioner Ferreira said.

“In the middle of a monumental shift”

Sharing her opening remarks via video, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, commented that “we are in the middle of a monumental shift” in the energy transition. Renewables represented a record 44% of EU electricity generation in 2023, she reported, passing 40% for the first time.

Setting the tone for a key theme of the conference, she said: “We need this [transition] to be socially just for all citizens in the EU, especially in coal and carbon-intensive communities.”

Commissioner Simson invited stakeholders from coal, peat and oil regions in transition to join the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition’s Annual Political Dialogue, which will be held on 11-12 July in Velenje, Slovenia.

“The social issue of the century”

The first day also saw Zakia Khattabi, Minister for Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and Green Deal of Belgium, give a keynote address on behalf of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

“The ecological crisis we face is not just an environmental issue – it is the social issue of the century”, the Minister said. “It will affect not only our ecosystems but our daily lives, economic capabilities, health, and economic security. But amid this reality lies an opportunity to shape a new world – one based on resilience and solidarity.”

“The Just Transition Mechanism has shown the strength of European solidarity and that solutions need to go hand in hand. [This] needs to serve as a blueprint for all efforts in other sectors,” she added.

“We cannot talk about a smooth transformation without social partners”

The conference continued with thematic sessions on monitoring JTF implementation and just transition combatting poverty, followed by conclusions from the first day, delivered by Themis Christophidou, Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy.

“As I look around, I don’t just see a conference centre, but an engine room,” she said, recalling the inspiring projects making tangible contributions to regional just transitions.

“The key is stakeholder involvement,” she continued. “This is why the JTP was created, to engage civil society. […] You can count on our support.”

Commissioner Schmit: Future skills “a must and a huge opportunity”

On Wednesday, the conference continued with sessions on youth engagement in the transition, which looked at how young people are shaping the future internationally, energy communities, and skills for a green future.

Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, closed the conference by stressing the importance of developing skills to reap the benefits of the green transition, describing investments in future skills as “a must and a huge opportunity”.

“We are also under time pressure to retrain and reskill more people; not just workers, but their children too,” he said. Like previous speakers, Commissioner Schmit also sent a strong message on the social dimension:

“We cannot talk about a smooth transformation without social partners, not just unions but employers and industry,” he said. Commissioner Schmit mentioned the Social Climate Fund, due to be set up by 2026, and stressed the “enormous need for investment to mitigate, accelerate, coordinate the new economy”.

The conference concluded with two practical side events. The first presented support available via the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) programme in the Just Transition Fund context, then the second presented JTP support on the ground, including via JTP Groundwork and JTPeers, both of which are providing assistance to a new round of beneficiaries in 2024.

If you missed the conference, you can watch back the sessions anytime via Swapcard. More materials, including a more detailed report, will be shared on the JTP website in the coming weeks.

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