About the initiative
The Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition assists EU coal, peat, lignite, and oil shale regions (“coal+ regions”) in their transitions to a low-carbon economy, supporting them to deliver transition in a just and fair way.
It supports public administrations and other relevant stakeholders via knowledge products, technical assistance, events, and peer-to-peer exchange.
The Initiative regularly develops new toolkits, case studies, and regional profiles; its Secretariat Technical Assistance to Regions in Transition (START) programme provides tailored support to recipients; the Initiative brings coal+ regions together at events and facilitates dialogue among these regions and European decision-makers; and the exchangeEU programme facilitates direct exchange among peer coal+ regions.
Heating and cooling represents roughly half of final energy consumption in the European Union – its decarbonisation is thus crucial to meeting Europe's long-term climate and energy targets. This toolkit provides an overview of the technological options available to support decarbonising District Heating networks, the roles that these networks play in decarbonisation and future heat supply, and showcases measures and good practice examples
In 2020-2021, START provided the Marshal Office of the Silesian Voivodeship with support to develop a method (framework) to identify, assess, and prioritise different options to rehabilitate and repurpose mining infrastructure and related brownfield sites.
The most recent Annual Political Dialogue took place in Karlovy Vary (CZ) on 27-28 June 2023. This fourth annual event once again convened EU coal+ stakeholders, highlighting the voices of leading figures designing and implementing transition on the ground. Site visits illustrated achievements so far, and next steps for a just transition.
This exchangeEU partnership focused on strategies for effective transition governance and citizen engagement. A study visit to Western Macedonia produced hands-on recommendations that can help any region in transition.
Regions covered by the Initiative
The Initiative supports EU coal, lignite, peat and oil shale regions, defined as NUTS-2 regions within the EU with over 100 jobs in coal, peat or oil shale extraction in 2018, according to JRC sources. While all can benefit from the Initiative’s resources, knowledge products, and events, these regions specifically are eligible to apply for Initiative technical assistance and exchange programmes.
Sister initiatives
The Initiative works closely with the Just Transition Platform and the Initiative for Coal Regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. It also fosters close relationships with regional, national, European, and international bodies, initiatives and projects working to foster a just transition for coal and carbon-intensive regions.
International collaboration
Let’s connect! The Initiative is keen to engage international stakeholders and facilitate collaboration between EU coal+ regions and regions in other parts of the world. The Secretariat is always looking for international best practices that can help EU regions; furthermore, the Secretariat and regions it works with are available to share expertise and experience that exists within EU coal+ regions to support global counterparts.
To discuss potential collaboration opportunities, contact: secretariat
coalregions [dot] eu (secretariat[at]coalregions[dot]eu).
- Transition governance, including national and regional transition plans and strategies;
- Managing labour market challenges associated with transition;
- Brownfield site regeneration;
- Region-to-region exchange of good practices and lessons learnt;
- Leveraging former mining infrastructure, e.g. for tourism;
- Capturing local mining heritage through museums, festivals, and events;
- Community engagement
Secretariat
Since early 2019, a secretariat manages all initiative activities with the European Commission. The Secretariat is made up of a consortium of actors that bring a unique blend of skills and competencies to support coal regions in transition: Ecorys, Climate Strategies, ICLEI Europe, and the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy.