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DRAFT REPORT (2024/2121(INI))

On the role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition

REGI-PR-769954

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Ciaran Mullooly

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

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This draft report on the role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition calls for measures to help regions and workers affected by the shift to climate neutrality. It proposes special economic zones, more education and training funding, support for replacement employment, simpler JTF rules, and a new JTF II fund for after 2027.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a resolution that examines JTF implementation and suggests targeted measures to improve its effectiveness, including new zones, training, and a future JTF II.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Commission to set up special JTF economic zones for areas hit by site closures, with priority funding for locations within 50 km of job loss sites.
  2. Urges lower tax rates and faster planning decisions in these zones to create jobs and opportunities.
  3. Stresses that at least 50 % of education funds in affected regions should go to apprenticeships, and calls for more regional focus of ESF+ and synergies with the JTF.
  4. Calls for workers who lost jobs to get special status for ESF+ training schemes, and for apprenticeship schemes with local businesses to give students the 'right to stay'.
  5. Emphasises the need to fund retraining for workers over 50 and their families, and to offer retraining to partners and spouses of affected workers.
  6. Stresses that Member States must prioritise access to state-owned land and buildings for new JTF projects, with oversight.
  7. Calls for 'social deals' for employees to be approved by the Commission for 2025-2049.
  8. Recommends the JTF fill funding gaps for bottom-up projects and advance up to 90 % of funding for low-risk voluntary groups to avoid high interest rates.
  9. Urges more flexibility and clearer State aid rules for voluntary and not-for-profit groups, and a green community scheme for local energy projects.
  10. Calls for a social training scheme for older unemployed workers, 'hands-on' managers to reduce administrative burden, and heritage guides and visitor centres.
  11. Urges the Commission to review closure timescales for key energy players and to encourage Member States to implement Directive (EU) 2019/994 on citizen energy communities.
  12. Calls for a new JTF II fund for post-2027 with greater resources, under shared management and partnership principles.

Who is affected

  • Regions affected by site closures and job losses, including former peat and mining areas.
  • Workers who have lost jobs, including those over 50, and their families and partners.
  • Voluntary and not-for-profit groups applying for JTF funding.
  • Local communities and former workers who could invest in green energy projects.

Figures and deadlines

  • 50 km radius of job loss sites for priority access to funding.
  • At least 50 % of education funds for apprenticeships.
  • Period 2025-2049 for 'social deals'.
  • Up to 90 % of funding advanced for low-risk voluntary groups.

Legal basis: Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union; Articles 4, 162, 174 to 178, and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.