Transformation in coal regions
Shaping the future with the JTF
Shaping the transition to a climate-neutral European economy - that is the goal of the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) in North Rhine-Westphalia. Various funding opportunities are available in the Rhineland region and parts of the northern Ruhr area. The aim is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in operational transformation processes, expand knowledge and technology transfer, establish and equip start-up and technology centers, improve academic and vocational training opportunities, finance water management measures in the RhenishRuhr region and create an attractive business location with sustainable land development in the northern Ruhr area.
Mastering structural change: Sustainable coal regions through the JTF
Coal mining and the resulting electricity generation have been of structural importance in the Aachen city region, the independent city of Mönchengladbach, the districts of Düren and Heinsberg, the Rhine-Erft district and the Rhine district of Neuss in the Rhineland region, as well as in the independent city of Bottrop and the district towns of Dorsten, Gladbeck and Marl in the northern Ruhr region. The transition to a climate-neutral European economy is therefore leading to considerable pressure to adapt here. Appropriate measures should cushion the foreseeable economic, social and ecological consequences of the energy transition. 680 million euros from the EU Just Transition Fund are available for North Rhine-Westphalia for this purpose. The JTF is being implemented as part of the European Regional Development Fund for North Rhine-Westphalia (ERDF NRW) and the European Social Fund (ESF).
Shape innovation processes in SMEs in a targeted manner with the JTF in the Rhenish mining area
The coal phase-out has resulted in an immediate loss of value creation in the lignite industry. In order to react to this and secure jobs, change is needed. Companies need to develop new products or convert their processes to open up new areas of application. If this is successful, there are opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to further develop their business models in the direction of the European Green Deal and digitalization. The "Future Vouchers" funding offer supports SMEs in identifying corresponding transformation needs and opportunities, developing their business models accordingly and implementing new ones - for example by funding external advice on transformation requirements, the temporary employment of a transformation expert to support the company in transforming its business model or necessary investments.
For good technology transfer in SMEs
In order to secure value creation and employment, local companies must expand their competitiveness and find new markets for growth. This can only be achieved through innovation activities. However, small and medium-sized enterprises in particular often lack the necessary resources and structures. Universities and research institutions in the regions offer ideal starting points for the transfer of research results and innovations from science to application. The JTF promotes this transfer. In this way, companies can tap into advanced technologies and processes associated with the growth areas of the European Green Deal and digitalization without incurring major expenditure.
Expansion of start-up and technology centers through JTF funding
Start-up and technology centers can support founders as well as young and technology-oriented companies with organizational and technical infrastructure, for example. The JTF promotes infrastructures in which founders, start-ups, SMEs, scientific institutions and universities work together to drive forward the validation and commercial exploitation of research results and technologies.
Training and further education centers as an important pillar
RAG Aktiengesellschaft in the Ruhr region and the energy company RWE in the Rhineland region have traditionally been among the largest training companies in the coal regions. The coal phase-out will not only result in the loss of many jobs, but also apprenticeships. SMEs are often unable to fully cover training content. Inter-company vocational training centers, especially in the business sector, help to close this gap and act as a third learning location in dual training alongside companies and vocational schools. JTF funding in NRW covers needs-based investments in equipment as well as the modernization and energy-efficient refurbishment of vocational training buildings, including energy-efficient new buildings and additions.
Developing areas in the northern Ruhr region with JTF funding
There are numerous disused former mining areas in Bottrop, Dorsten, Gladbeck and Marl. In order to be able to use them as economic areas for new and existing companies, ecological, climate-friendly, resource- and space-efficient revitalization and development is required. The JTF in NRW promotes projects that aim to revitalize, upgrade, sustainably develop, open up, activate and renaturalize such brownfield sites and thus contribute to the climate neutrality, attractiveness and quality of the location.
Blue infrastructure: water body renaturation in the Rhenish mining area through JTF funding
With the phase-out of lignite-fired power generation, coal mining in the Hambach, Garzweiler and Inden opencast mines will be discontinued. As a result, the discharge of so-called sump water will cease and the concentration of wastewater in the waters of the Rhenish mining area will increase. The funding from the JTF is intended to restore water bodies and floodplains to a more natural state. At the same time, wastewater treatment plants and other wastewater treatment facilities are being upgraded or newly constructed to mitigate the significant impact and pave the way for a green future.
All measures in the ERDF/JTF NRW program must be assessed as compatible with the "Do no significant harm" principle (DNSH principle). For infrastructure investments with a longer-term impact, it is necessary to assess climate compatibility at the level of the individual project. Find out more about these requirements in the area "EFRE/JTF durchblicken".
Support measures
The ERDF/JTF NRW 2021-2027 program offers a wide range of funding opportunities through the implementation of the priorities. The priorities are subordinated to a total of 12 different specific objectives, from which the programme's 30 or so measures are derived in order to provide the necessary impetus for future development.