Public authorities and other actors in coal regions across Europe are contending with the need to create holistic and just transformations in their regions. Some regions are prioritising economic diversification, while others must find ways to better include ordinary citizens in an evolving society and workforce. Although in some countries, especially those with a tradition of centralised governance, national ministries are in charge of coordinating these developments, the critical role of regional and local governments to drive change in these territories remains undeniable.
As part of its mandate to advocate for such local voices, ICLEI Europe continues to play its part in ensuring that several of the European Commission’s (EC) flagship programmes enable local decision makers to navigate the transformation effectively. ICLEI Europe has been active in co-managing the secretariats of the Coal regions in transition (CRiT) initiative and the Just Transition Platform (JTP), and our work in recent months has notably included leading peer-to-peer exchanges on behalf of each EC secretariat.
In Slovenia, as part of these exchanges, ICLEI Europe facilitated the Zasavje Just Transition Centre, via the CRiT's START programme, to embed circular economy principles into the development of three business zones in the area. Experts from Finland and Scotland were brought on board to share their own lessons learned, and help a business zone in Zasavje to shift material, waste and energy flows towards more circular practices. Meanwhile, productive discussions with forward-thinking municipalities during this exchange will also help two other upcoming business zones in the region become circular from the very start, thus applying a strategic approach to transforming the whole Zasavje region.
Additionally, ICLEI led a JTPeers Exchange in ICLEI member city Katowice (Poland), the capital of Europe's largest coal field. The focus of this exchange was on sharing lessons learned and good practices for fostering future-oriented skills programmes and developing SME-enablers. Silesia's regional public authority showcased numerous examples of local innovation hubs and reskilling/upskilling programmes, comparable to work being done by Czech colleagues from MSPAKT in nearby Moravia-Silesia (Czech Republic). A representative from Ukraine's Ministry for Communities and Territories Development was able to join this exchange as well; successes in Poland and the Czech Republic will inspire replication for Ukraine's own just transition ambitions slated for this year.
Local governments and other key stakeholders within JTF territories interested in taking part in such interactive exchanges are invited to apply to the ongoing call for JTPeers (deadline: 27 April 2025), or contact ICLEI Europe for further information.