Region matches for exchangeEU programme for just transition in coal regions

The EU coal regions exchange programme has announced 8 matches between EU regions based on their profile to find the best fits for the most fruitful exchanges.

Over the next months, delegations from 18 regions in 12 EU countries will come together and work on issues and questions about a just transition for coal regions. The exchanges aim at fostering peer-to-peer learning between these regions, developing strategies for a just transition and establishing a lasting network.

The exchanges will take place between the following regions:

• Upper Nitra Region (SK), Eastern Cohesion Region (SI) and Jiu Valley (RO)
• Midlands Region (IE) and Western Macedonia (EL)
• Western Macedonia (EL) and Stara Zagora (BG)
• Saxony-Anhalt (DE) and Ida-Viru (EE)
• Saxony (DE) and Karlovarský (CZ)
• Malopolska (PL), Ústi (CZ) and Aragón (ES)
• Asturias (ES) and Silesia (PL)
• Zasavsje (SI), Northern Hungary (HU) and Moravia-Silesia (CZ)

Each match will count with individual assistance and guidance by an experienced team of facilitators that will be in close contact with the participants, enabling them to shape their exchange formats and to take ownership of their personal learning experience.

From the beginning of the exchange, participants will be actively involved in defining their agendas. The result will be a variety of tailor-made study visits and innovative approaches for joint learning and peer-to-peer encounters.

All matches, documentation of the exchanges (once available) and further information can be found on the exchangeEU programme webpage.

Background

exchangeEU is the European Commission’s exchange programme for coal, lignite, peat and oil shale (coal+) regions in the EU. It was launched in September 2021 and consists of two rounds of exchanges. The first round is currently running and the second round will launch in September 2022.

exchangeEU provides an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning with the goal to establish long-term connections to accelerate the clean energy transition across different regions in the EU. The programme is open to all active stakeholders driving the regional coal transition, such as regional and local authorities, economic development and energy agencies, NGOs, trade unions, associations, businesses and academia.