Support to the Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine in the context of Just Transition 

Ecorys supported the Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine in the context of Just Transition. This assistance, financed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), enabled the association to establish collaborations with EU coal communities and donors, and develop just transition programmes adapted to the needs of Ukrainian coal communities. 

The Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine unites 21 coal communities across Ukraine. It promotes sustainable development in coal regions, improves the living conditions of local residents, and ensures their prosperity based on the principles of just transition.  

Support provided:  

In 2024-2025, Ecorys assisted the Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine to:  

• Assess and synthesise the needs of Ukrainian coal communities and develop a roadmap to support Ukrainian coal communities more extensively. 

• Connect Ukrainian and EU coal communities and develop Memoranda of Cooperation. Access the memoranda signed by Ukrainian and EU mayors. 

• Establish cooperation and knowledge exchange, including study visits and project applications, between Ukrainian and EU coal communities to support the just transition process.   

• Establish EU donor connections with, for example, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Technical Assistance Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission.  

Next steps:  

The Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine continues to work with the tools, analyses, roadmaps and connections established during Ecorys’ export support. For recent updates on the association’s work you can consult the website or LinkedIn.