The Commission has adopted the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP) for Slovakia setting the strategy for the investment of 459 million allocated to the country from the Just Transition Fund (JTF). These funds will support a fair transition towards climate neutrality in Slovakia's most vulnerable regions.
The Fund will help Slovakia's phasing out from coal extraction and coal-fired electric power generation by 2023. In particular, it will support a fair transition for the country's metals and chemicals industries in the Upper Nitra, Košice and Banská Bystrica regions.
Trenčín /Upper Nitra region: new jobs and enhancing energy efficiency
Trenčín /Upper Nitra is the only coal mining region in Slovakia. The mining of lignite and its burning at the Novaky Power plant are to be phased out by 2023. The JTF will help creating new job opportunities for the workers in the coal sector, their families and the young people who want to live and work in the region. Funds will also support energy efficiency measures for public buildings and innovative solutions for renewable energy.
Košice region: new skills and new jobs in green sectors
This region heavily depends on industries responsible for very high greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and thus has the largest decarbonisation potential in Slovakia. Technological changes in the steel industry are necessary to help the country meeting its climate targets. The JTF will help re- and upskilling around 2,400 workers in the steel industry. The fund will also create new job opportunities in the green sectors in renewable energies, energy storage, and upgrading district heating networks entailing energy savings.
Banská Bystrica region: energy efficiency and geothermal energy
Banská Bystrica is one of Slovakia's least developed regions while several districts depend on industries with very high GHG. The JTF will help increasing the energy efficiency in public buildings and the use of geothermal energy resources, as well as lifelong learning for workers and support for vocational schools.
Background
The JTF supports territories that face specific challenges in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) identify these territories following a dialogue with the Commission in the framework of the negotiations of the 2021-2027 Partnership Agreements and the associated programmes. The Commission approved the Partnership Agreement with Slovakia in July 2022. The TJTPs, developed in close consultation with local partners, identify the challenges in each territory, as well as the development needs and objectives to be met by 2030. They also identify the planned actions with specific governance mechanisms.
The approval of TJTPs opens the door to dedicated financing under the other two pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM): a just transition scheme under InvestEU and a Public Sector Loan Facility for Just Transition that combines Commission grants with European Investment Bank loans.
The JTM is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind. It provides targeted support to help mobilise around 55 billion over the period 2021-2027 in the most affected regions.
Lastly, the Just Transition Platform supports all stakeholders involved in just transition and helps them to share experiences and best practices to accelerate a just transition.
Upon request by the Slovak Authorities, the Commission provided tailor-made technical expertise for the preparation of their TJTP via the Technical Support Instrument. The Commission also provides technical support when it comes to the implementation of the plan.
More information
The Just Transition Mechanism: making sure no one is left behind
The Just Transition Platform: Accompanying Member States and regions to achieve a just transition
Breakdown of Just Transition Fund allocations per Member State
Questions and Answers on the EU Cohesion Policy legislative package 2021-2027
2021-2027 Partnership Agreements
Video: Helping Member States achieve a carbon-neutral economy, ensuring a fair transition for all
Quote(s)
Slovakia has an ambitious national agenda to transform regions which rely on energy-intensive industries. The Just Transition Plan will help the country to deliver this transition to climate neutrality in a fair way. With support from the Just Transition Fund, Slovakia can make sure everyone benefits from a green and healthy future.
Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal - 23/11/2022
The Just Transition Fund will help implementing a just transition in Slovakia, supporting workers and their families while promoting energy savings and reducing energy dependence from Russia. It will support the reskilling of people and businesses, the diversification of the economy, sustainable mobility, digitisation and energy efficiency. The JTF programmes will ensure that, on the path to climate neutrality, no one is left behind.
Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms - 23/11/2022
Press contact
Stefan DE KEERSMAECKER
Phone +32 2 298 46 80
Mail stefan.de-keersmaecker@ec.europa.eu
Veronica FAVALLI
Phone +32 2 298 72 69
Mail veronica.favalli@ec.europa.eu
