Ireland’s Programme for the EU Just Transition Fund was officially unveiled recently; the €169m fund will support communities most negatively affected by the move away from fossil fuels and the cessation of commercial peat extraction. These 'designated territories' include the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon, and the municipal districts of Ballinasloe, Athy and Clane-Maynooth, and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles.
The fund, which will be in place until 2027, will ensure that nobody is left behind by the climate transition and will promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion in line with key EU priorities.
It will support training and upskilling for former peat workers. For their communities, this funding will enable them to benefit from new green jobs, the development of affordable green energy, the decarbonisation of local transport, and the roll-out of new tourism enterprises. It will also support investment in sustainable agriculture and forestry, the development of SMEs and startups, as well as support for vital research and innovation.
Just transition to a green future
Environment minister Eamon Ryan said: "We have secured €169m for the region in total, including €84.5m of EU funding along with national co-financing, to ensure that we have a just transition to a green future. It is critical that no one is left behind as Ireland navigates towards the net-zero vision set out in our Climate Action Plan.
"While fairness is at the centre of this fund, and the green jobs, green energy and green agriculture that it can support, we also have to ensure that the transition is quick. If it’s not fair it won’t be quick. And if it’s not quick, it won’t be fair. The two aims have to go together.
"The adoption of this programme represents the culmination of extensive effort at European, national, regional, and local level. I would like to acknowledge and thank all those involved and wish those with the responsibility of implementing the programme every success in the years ahead."
Jim Conway, director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said: "Through a targeted programme, working with key stakeholders, this valuable EU and government funding will deliver on the climate, economic and place making objectives of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, aimed at addressing the impacts of the transition from fossil fuels to greener, more sustainable alternatives.
Employment opportunities
"Achieving these objectives will in turn have positive outcomes for those most impacted by the transition in terms of employment opportunities and enhancing the environment in which they live. Working with the Monitoring Committee, EMRA will ensure the effective management of the programme."
Sofia Alves, director of DG REGIO, said: "The Just Transition Fund is a key driver of the European Green Deal, which pushes the green transition towards more inclusive and innovative accomplishments. We are moving away from peat and other fossil fuels in the Midlands because people once dependent on them deserve a reshaped future with new prospects. A total of €169m will kick-start this process through local initiatives."
The programme will be managed by the EMRA, and will focus on three strategic priorities:
- Generating employment in former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy;
- Supporting the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded peatlands and the regeneration and repurposing of industrial heritage assets;
- Providing former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition.