Factsheet for measure
IT-2022-51/3302
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Updated
– measures in Italy
Territorial Just Transition Fund
Fondo per la Transizione Giusta
Background information
The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a financial tool within the cohesion policy framework aimed at supporting territories facing significant socio-economic challenges due to the transition towards climate neutrality. This initiative is aligned with the ambitious climate objectives of the European Green Deal, which targets climate neutrality in the EU by 2050. Legal references for the JTF include the EU Regulation 2021/1056, Article 11, which mandates the creation of Territorial Just Transition Plans by member states. Furthermore, Regulation 2021/1060 dictates the funding allocation, while Directive 2001/42/CE outlines the strategic environmental assessment necessary for evaluating the program's environmental impact.
Content of measure
The Just Transition Fund is designed to provide financial assistance to regions and territories adversely affected by the transition towards climate neutrality, particularly those heavily reliant on fossil fuels like coal, peat, and shale or with high greenhouse gas emitting industrial processes. The support from JTF is directed towards fostering economic diversification, modernization, and the reskilling or active inclusion of workers and job seekers.
Funding from the JTF is accessed through Territorial Just Transition Plans, defined by member states in accordance with Article 11 of EU Regulation 2021/1056. These plans outline the necessary interventions to address transition challenges within a specific territory, aiming towards achieving set objectives by 2030. The primary investment sectors identified are those that significantly contribute to the transformation and competitiveness of territories, including clean energy technologies, emissions reduction, industrial site recovery, and worker retraining.
In Italy, the JTF funding is specifically targeted towards the Provincia di Taranto and Sulcis Iglesiente regions, as identified by the European Commission in Annex D of the Country Report under the European Semester 2020. The total funding allocated for Italy from the JTF amounts to €1.211 billion, with €367.2 million designated for Sulcis Iglesiente and €795.6 million for Taranto. Additionally, €48.4 million is reserved for Technical Assistance as stipulated by Regulation 2021/1060. The funds are subdivided among challenges with 30% allocated for energy and environment, 38% for economic diversification, and 32% for measures mitigating economic and occupational impacts of the transition.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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15 November 2024
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The TJTF programme in Italy is significantly behind schedule, with over €1 billion still unspent across its two target regions. While the first concrete steps are finally emerging, both the Sulcis area in Sardinia and Taranto in Puglia are only now preparing to launch their first projects. In Sardinia, the first rankings for environmental remediation projects will be published in January, whilst Puglia is still finalising its operational programme. The EU Commission has confirmed everything is now ready for implementation, with a pressing deadline to spend 70% of the funds by 2026 and the remainder by 2029.
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Use of measure
The JTF has not been implemented yet.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Applies to all workers
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Applies to all businesses
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Social partners jointly
Local / regional government
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European Funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Consulted
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Consulted
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Form
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Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies
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Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: Regional or local level
Involvement
The project requires the involvement of social partners in the partnership table, but there are no data about specific proposals made by social partners.
Views and reactions
CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) trade union from Taranto emphasizes the need for public investment to prevent job losses. It mentions the allocation of €1.2 billion by the Just Transition Fund Italy 2021-2027 to these regions, urging for collective responsibility among various stakeholders to mitigate employment challenges. It also advocates for requalification, upskilling, and reskilling of workers, and calls for a dialogue between these regions to uphold workers' dignity and rights while combating poverty and inequality.
Sources
