Just Transition Fund
13.1.2021
Question for written answer E-000186/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Cornelia Ernst (The Left), Martina Michels (The Left)
After preliminary agreement in the trilogue negotiations on the Just Transition Fund was reached, there should be nothing to stand in the way of its swift implementation in the Member States under the partnership principle.
As at 28 December 2020, at least one of Germany’s Land governments impacted by the coal phase-out still did not know which administrative authorities will be responsible for the Fund and which authorities and partners will be involved in drawing up the territorial plans under the partnership principle.
A statement by the Federal Government suggests that it will use money from the Fund to fulfil commitments under the law on structural improvements in coal-mining regions (StStG), possibly by transferring money from the Fund to this commitment, the amount of which will be unchanged.
In a number of decisions the German Länder have rejected both the transfer of money and the implementation of support by means of a federal programme.
- 1.When is the earliest that the regions affected might expect the approval and payment of money from the Fund to take place?
- 2.What measures will the Commission take to ensure full and immediate compliance at local level with the partnership principle with the aim of securing programming which will fulfil regional requirements?
- 3.In line with what specific stipulations would the transfer of money from the Fund to already made and quantified Federal Government financial commitments under the StStG be consistent with the principle of additionality[1]?
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/de/policy/what/glossary/a/additionality/