Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission
21.12.2022
The objective of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) [1] is to support territories facing serious socioeconomic challenges resulting from the transition towards a climate neutral economy.
The areas where transition is not planned or will take place only beyond 2030, cannot be supported from the JTF. The existence of lignite related extraction and combustion in the Bogatynia area and its timeline cannot be considered as meeting the condition to access the additional, targeted support by the JTF.
However, it is important to underline that the absence of funding from the JTF does not mean that there will be no EU financial support for the transformation of EU regions. In particular, the Bogatynia municipality region can access the other EU Cohesion Policy funds[2].
The Commission encourages stakeholders to apply for EU cohesion policy funds in regional or national programmes for the development of green projects. The European Funds for Lower Silesia Programme can support the development of green skills, the creation of new jobs, and outplacement programmes.
The Emissions Trading System (ETS) Innovation[3] and Modernisation[4] funds, Horizon Europe[5] and the LIFE[6] programme also offer various opportunities to support the green transition. The Bogatynia area is eligible to apply for Technical Assistance for a Green Energy Transition (TARGET) programme[7] and the Initiative for coal regions in transition[8].
In light of this, the Commission considers these funds can offer the necessary assistance, even if the region is not specifically covered by the JTF.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the Just Transition Fund , OJ EU L 231 of 30.6.2021.
- [2] Namely, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus and the Cohesion Fund.
- [3] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/funding-climate-action/innovation-fund_en
- [4] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/funding-climate-action/modernisation-fund_en
- [5] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
- [6] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
- [7] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/oil-gas-and-coal/eu-coal-regions/target-technical-assistance_en
- [8] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/oil-gas-and-coal/eu-coal-regions/initiative-coal-regions-transition_en