On the role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Ciaran Mullooly

✦ In short Full text Procedure & committee votes

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

This resolution on the role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition calls for measures to help regions affected by job losses, including special economic zones, training, and support for workers.¶¶¶ It stresses the need for a new JTF 'II' fund post-2027, with its own budget, to continue supporting affected communities and households.¶¶ It emphasizes simplifying procedures, involving local authorities, and ensuring social justice in the transition.¶¶¶

Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development proposes a resolution calling for enhanced JTF implementation, including special economic zones, training, and a new JTF 'II' fund post-2027.¶¶

Key points

Calls for special JTF economic zones in areas affected by site closures, with priority access to funding for nearby locations and social criteria like unemployment.¶
Calls for swifter planning, financial incentives, and temporary tax incentives in these zones, prioritizing SMEs and local businesses.¶
Calls for including island regions as eligible for reduced tax rates in insular JTF economic zones to address high living costs and depopulation.¶
Calls for funding within the JTF for training and apprenticeships, especially for women, young people, and marginalized communities.¶
Calls for investment in education and training, including green and digital skills, STEM, and support for students from affected areas.¶
Calls for targeted programmes to improve teacher attractiveness, especially in STEM, and better salaries and working conditions.¶
Calls for a significant portion of education funds in affected regions to be used for apprenticeships and vocational training aligned with local needs.¶
Calls for greater coordination between JTF, ESF+, and ERDF, and more regional focus for ESF+ management.¶
Calls for aligning cohesion policy with regional innovation strategies and prioritizing affected areas in JTF project selection.¶
Calls for including the automotive sector in the just transition scope, with targeted policies for reskilling and economic diversification.¶
Calls for ambitious vocational training and reskilling programmes for job seekers and workers directly affected, funded through the JTF.¶
Calls for measures to ensure workers who lost jobs can participate in ESF+ or other EU-funded programmes in their communities.¶

Who is affected

Regions affected by site closures and carbon-intensive industries, including coal regions, islands, and outermost regions.¶¶¶
Workers, including those over 50, women, and long-term unemployed, affected by industrial transitions.¶¶
Local and regional authorities, community groups, and voluntary organizations seeking JTF funding.¶¶¶
SMEs and microenterprises in transition regions, which are to be prioritized for support.¶¶

Figures and deadlines

over 10 % of the EU's GDP from tourism¶
2.3 million small and medium-sized enterprises in tourism¶
approximately 12.3 million people employed in tourism¶
more than half of the capital cost for low-risk groups¶

Legal basis: Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 4, 9, 151, 153, 162, 174 to 178 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶¶

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.