JUSTEM

To address climate change, European coal regions must phase out coal and shift toward sustainable energy sources. However, when the JUSTince in Transition and EMpowerment against Energy Poverty (JUSTEM) project (2022–2025) began, many countries were reconsidering or delaying their coal phase-out timelines due to rising energy prices triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These price increases heightened the risk of energy poverty—when people are unable to afford socially and materially required levels of household energy services—also but not only in coal-dependent regions. JUSTEM placed strong emphasis on the social dimension of the energy transition, with a particular focus on tackling energy poverty.

JUSTEM adopted a dual approach, targeting both citizens in coal regions and regional policymakers. The project empowered over 1,500 citizens through tailored capacity-development activities aimed at strengthening their understanding of and involvement in the transition process and boosting confidence in a coal-free future. Simultaneously, it supported regional authorities across six European coal regions in designing and implementing just transition plans that reflect local realities and priorities.  

As the project draws to a close, JUSTEM has clearly demonstrated that a bottom-up, citizen-centred approach is essential for enabling truly just transition processes. Citizens not only want to be involved—they bring valuable insights that can shape policy recommendations and inspire projects rooted in real community needs. 

The tools, approaches, and results developed by JUSTEM will continue to inform the ongoing work on the just transition, and notably the activities as part of the Just Transition Platform, including its thematic working groups, further embedding citizen-focused strategies into the heart of Europe’s energy transition efforts. 

The JUSTEM project ended in April 2025.