Czechia pleased with possible continuation of Just Transition Fund

The European Commission wants to keep the Just Transition Fund for European coal regions in the next programming period beyond 2027 if the programme succeeds in the current one – something Czechia’s coal regions are clearly pleased about.

The Just Transition Fund is a new feature of the current programming period 2021-2027, the first time the EU has earmarked a volume of money directly for European coal regions to help them with the green transformation.

“I think that after discussions with the Commissioner (Kadri Simson), we can confirm that if the government and the regions manage to invest the funds effectively, the same or a similar programme like the Just Transformation Fund will continue,” said Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL, EPP) at a June conference on coal mining regions in the city of Karlovy Vary attended by EURACTIV.cz.

However, the specific form the continued support is still under discussion.

“The Commissioner has said very explicitly that the programme must be evaluated, and if it proves successful in implementing the projects, it will continue (…) In what form is still a question. We will certainly talk about simplification and flexibility,” said Czechia’s Regional Development Minister Ivan Bartoš (Pirates, Greens/EFA).

One of the questions is whether the funds would again be available only to coal regions looking forward.

“We are addressing the question of whether the support would also be directed to structurally affected regions by mining other than coal mining,” Hladík said.

However, the minister said the decision would not be made until next June after the European Parliament elections.

The Czech Republic and other coal regions are also calling for more time to draw down existing funds in the 2021-2027 period.

“The Czech regions have joined the initiative of seven member states, or 18 coal regions, and signed a written initiative asking the European Commission to postpone the milestones for the disbursement of the Just Transformation Fund,” Lucie Ješátková, spokeswoman for the environment ministry, told EURACTIV.cz.

Part of the Just Transformation Fund must be spent by the end of 2026, as it comes from the EU’s Next Generation post-crisis recovery facility.

(Kateřina Zichová | EURACTIV.cz)

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