Just Transition: From Coal to Green Energy

Just Transition is a European Union programme aimed at supporting the regions and sectors most affected by the transition to climate neutrality by 2050. The programme is part of the European Green Deal, whose objective is for Europe to become climate neutral and to promote sustainable and fair economic growth.

Just Transition rests on three pillars: the Just Transition Fund (JTF), a dedicated scheme under the InvestEU programme, and a public sector loan facility provided by the European Investment Bank. The JTF provides grants to finance projects for economic diversification, professional retraining, rehabilitation of industrial land, and the promotion of renewable and clean energy. The dedicated transition scheme under InvestEU attracts private investment to support activities related to the energy transition. The public sector loan facility mobilises public funding to co-finance projects of common interest in the fields of energy and the environment.

Romania is one of the countries benefiting from JTF support, with an allocation of EUR 2.14 billion. This amount will be distributed across six counties: Dolj, Galați, Gorj, Hunedoara, Mureș and Prahova. These counties were selected on the basis of their dependence on fossil fuels, especially coal, or the presence of industries with high carbon dioxide emissions, such as steel, cement or fertiliser production.

Projects to be funded from the JTF include:

• creating new green spaces on disused industrial land in the mining sector and on abandoned industrial sites;
• setting up small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors that promote the circular economy, traditional activities or the production of eco-friendly construction materials;
• investments in renewable and clean energy technologies, such as hydrogen;
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting green steel production in Galați and green ammonia production at Azomureș;
• large-scale training programmes for upskilling and retraining workers and jobseekers.

Just Transition is an ambitious and necessary programme for Romania to honour its commitment to phase out coal by 2032 and to contribute to achieving the European climate neutrality objective by 2050. The programme will have a positive impact on the environment, the economy and Romanian society, offering new opportunities and prospects for the sustainable development of the targeted regions.

How Todos & Company can help you access the Just Transition Fund

If you are a micro-enterprise, a small or medium-sized enterprise, or a public or non-profit organisation from one of the regions eligible for the JTF and you have a project that fits the programme's objectives, you can request support from the EU funding experts at Todos & Company. Todos & Company is a business and management consultancy with more than 15 years of experience on the Romanian market, offering high-quality, tailored services to its clients across a range of sectors. Todos & Company can assist you with the following stages:

• Identifying funding opportunities under the JTF and the other instruments of the Just Transition Mechanism;
• Preparing the documentation required to submit the funding application, including the business plan, feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, etc.;
• Monitoring the evaluation status of the funding application and communicating with the competent authorities;
• Implementing the funded project in compliance with the contractual conditions and legal requirements;
• Reporting on the project's activities and results, and managing eligible costs.

By working with Todos & Company, you will benefit from the expertise and knowledge of a professional, dedicated team that will guide and support you throughout the process of accessing non-refundable EU funds. This way, you will be able to carry out the project you want and contribute to Romania's green transition.