A new nearly €20 million programme to support projects in Ukraine’s coal communities is being launched with the funding from the German government through the European Investment Bank (EIB). In response, civil society organisations are calling for the establishment of an independent monitoring committee to assist the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine in ensuring transparency and efficiency in project selection and implementation.
“We welcome the launch of this new financial instrument for the just transition of coal regions and want it to align with European standards as much as possible. That’s why we insist on creating a monitoring committee with the participation of civil society, local authorities, businesses, and experts. This will help the EIB and the Ministry ensure transparency in project selection, budget allocation, and the monitoring of fund usage,” – said Kostiantyn Krynytskyi, Head of Energy Department at NGO Ecoaction.
According to Krynytskyi, this approach aligns with the European Partnership Principle and could serve as a pilot application of the EU’s best practices in Ukraine. In EU member states, public participation in regional policy implementation is standard and governed by the European Code of Conduct on Partnership.
Ukraine could draw on the EU’s experience with monitoring committees during the screening process for aligning Ukrainian legislation with the EU acquis, particularly regarding Chapter 22 on Regional Policy in accession negotiations.
Monitoring committees not only improve project quality but also reduce political risks, enhance accountability, and give communities a real voice in the transition process.
“Transparent just transition is not only about investment. It’s about trust. If we want the shift in coal regions to be truly just, we must carry it out together with the public,” Krynytskyi added.
The launch of the new grant program coincides with the recent adoption of Ukraine’s State Target Program for the Just Transition of Coal Regions until 2030, which covers 38 communities associated with coal mining and thermal power generation. This is the first national-level document to formally establish a strategic approach to supporting communities through decarbonisation.
Ecoaction also emphasises the need to expand the just transition approach to other mono-industrial towns that will also be impacted by the shift to a climate-neutral economy — particularly those whose economies rely on fossil fuel-based industries or extraction and processing.
“Ecoaction has been working on the topic of just transition for over seven years — long before it appeared in official policy documents. Now that we have real tools in place, coal communities can serve as an inspiration for broader regional policy. Because it’s not just coal towns that will need transformation — many of Ukraine’s industrial regions are facing the same challenge and opportunity,” – Krynytskyi said.
Just transition is already referenced in Ukraine’s Energy Strategy 2050 and the National Energy and Climate Plan 2030. However, to ensure meaningful community support, the concept must be mainstreamed into public policy — including the creation of new jobs, educational programs, retraining opportunities, and sustainable financing mechanisms.