The Just Transition Fund is a new financial instrument within the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which will support communities to meet the objectives of the European Green Deal.

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Aims & Objectives

It has three areas of focus:

• Community transitioning: Support the transition towards a climate neutral economy by 2050
• Employment and Enterprise: Support the diversification of local economies with carbon intensive industries
• Training: Generate sustainable employment in green jobs and retrain workers

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What does it support?

Ireland's National Just Transition Fund facilitates innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of regions which are most affected by the transition away from fossil fuels or greenhouse-gas-intensive industrial processes. The 2020 call for projects was directed to the Wider Midlands region as it transitions away from peat as an energy source. 

Currently, Ireland's Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is developing a Territorial Just Transition Plan with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly that will set out how to use the fund to invest in the region. In February 2022, the Department

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This public consultation is designed to assist us in further developing and finalising this plan before it is agreed by the government and submitted, together with the EU JTF programme, to the European Commission for approval in 2022.

• support enterprises to enhance the economic diversification of the wider Midlands
• train, up-skill and reskill workers affected by the exit from peat
• invest in research and innovation and the deployment of technology
• develop systems and infrastructure for clean energy

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‍Who can apply?

• Public bodies (like Education and Training Boards, Institutes of Technology, Local Enterprise Offices), Local Authorities, State Agencies and commercial semi-state bodies are eligible to apply. Note: Government Departments are not eligible to apply
• Private enterprises
• Community and voluntary organisations

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Why the EU funds a Just Transition

‍‍Read more about EU policy on the EU Green Deal.

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Budget

Up to €84.5 million has been allocated to Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund and the Government will also match this funding with Exchequer resources.

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Project Examples

To date, 55 Just Transition Fund 2020 projects have entered into contract and are delivering their projects in Ireland. See the full list of projects here.

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National Contact Point in Ireland

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Website

Email: JTF@decc.gov.ie

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Open Calls

Find open calls for Just Transition Fund.

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Want to find out more?

Just Transition Fund - Factsheet

Just Transition funding sources