Despite the full-scale war, the work on just transition of coal communities goes on: representatives of coal mining towns have united and created a working group on recovery planning, the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine has announced the start of drafting of the State Target Program for the Just Transition of Coal Regions, to which Ecoaction and representatives of municipalities have already joined, and the Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine has been established.
However, first and foremost, the transition of coal mining towns should take place locally and with the involvement of the civil society. That is why Ecoaction is looking for local NGOs that are ready to work on the topic of just transition of coal communities and to strengthen each other’s expertise. In August-December 2023, a project competition was held to select three CSO projects to be implemented this year, and we are glad to present the first winners.
Program for the Comprehensive Recovery of Petropavlivka community (Dnipropetrovsk region) by the Regional Centre for Economic Research and Business Support
The Foundation Regional Centre for Economic Research and Business Support supports Petropavlivka community of Dnipropetrovsk region in developing and adopting a new model of economic development focused on an innovative, green economy implemented through a comprehensive recovery mechanism. In the draft program, the Foundation plans to identify the main spatial, urban planning and socio-economic priorities for recovery and include a set of measures to restore those places most affected by environmental, infrastructural or other crises. These measures should be focused on transforming the community from a coal-based to a nature-based one.
The project should unite the community residents around the creation of new economic growth points, taking into account the existing economic and human potential to diversify the predominantly coal-based economy of the community.
Assessment of the potential for installing solar power plants for municipal institutions in Ladyzhyn (Vinnytsia region) by RePower Ukraine
In its project, the RePower Ukraine Foundation will visualise the solar potential of the roofs of 20 municipal buildings using solar mapping technology. Based on this data, the Foundation will provide recommendations to local authorities on the optimal location of solar panels and thermal collectors on these roofs. This will help the community, city authorities and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about the installation of solar panels and optimise their location for maximum efficiency.
In addition, the Foundation plans to actively educate the community through local media about its project and the benefits of decentralised renewable energy in the context of a just energy transition. In cooperation with the city authorities it is planned to develop and print an information brochure and distribute it to local officials, heads of municipal institutions and representatives of NGOs.
Advocacy of structural changes in the economy of coal communities in the process of just transition by the Centre for Anti-Crisis Research
The NGO “Center for Anti-Crisis Research” will analyse the existing legislative and regulatory framework related to the implementation of the tasks of just transition in coal communities. The work will help to understand what in the legislation hinders structural changes in the community economy and what should be changed to create new opportunities for a just transition. Based on the results, the NGO will prepare recommendations for national and local authorities, as well as materials for the media.
We will also share more about the progress and results of the projects on our website.
The competition is part of the project “New Energy – Facilitating Dialogue for Sustainable Development of Ukrainian Coal Regions”, implemented by partner organisations – Germanwatch, Centre for Environmental Initiatives Ecoaction, Luhansk Regional Human Rights Centre “Alternativa” with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.