The coal regions exchange programme has launched 6 exchanges between regions in the Western Balkans and their EU counterparts. These provide an opportunity for these regions to start one-to-one dialogues and learn from each other’s experiences on moving away from coal as part of the clean energy transition. 14 participating regions A total of 32 applications representing a diverse geographic spread were submitted for participation in the programme. Based on expert assessments, 14 of these have been paired up with one another to form 6 sets of exchange partners, who are currently preparing their exchanges. A further 2 sets were foreseen, each of them co-led by Ukrainian applicants, but have temporarily been put on hold. 3 exchanges will start in spring 2022, and the detailed planning and preparation of the other 3 will start in the second part of the year. Guided by dedicated exchange facilitators, programme participants are now developing precise roadmaps for their exchanges. These will feature either 1 or 2 in-person visits, which will be planned in advance through virtual interactions and discussions where the regions can solidify their relationship, ideally leading to fruitful cooperation beyond this programme. More information about participating delegations and their selection process is available on the coal regions exchange programme webpage. Background The exchange programme is one of the key activities of the Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine, which aims to help regions to move away from coal towards a carbon-neutral economy, ensuring this transition is just. It is managed by the European Commission and 6 collaborating international partners: the World Bank, the Energy Community Secretariat, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, Poland’s National Fund for Environment Protection and Water Management, and the College of Europe in Natolin. This exchange initiative builds on the experiences of the Initiative for coal regions in transition, which has connected stakeholders, provided technical assistance and developed support materials for affected regions since 2017. This EU initiative is currently implementing exchangeEU, an exchange programme for coal, lignite, peat and oil shale (coal+) regions in transition in the EU. Related links Coal regions exchange programme Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine Initiative for coal regions in transition Details Publication date5 April 2022LocationBrussels
