📋 Tender Overview
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy requests opinions on the Just Transition Fund JTF program proposal regional transition plans and the environmental statement. The fund will mitigate the socio-economic and environmental adverse effects of a low-carbon transition on the EUs regional economies and employment. In Finland funding will be allocated in particular to the restructuring of the economy and measures to support employment in the areas most affected by the reduction of peat energy use.The JTF is part of a package in which the European Union aims to achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2050. In Finland the fund aims to at least halve the energy use of peat by 2030. The goal is based on the government program.Focus of regional transition plans on new replacement jobs business expansion and retrainingIn addition to the program proposal opinions are requested on regional transition plans drawn up under the responsibility of the provincial associations and ELY centers. The Funds activities are not limited to peatlands as the adverse effects of reducing peat use may extend to a large geographical area. The plans have been prepared in South Karelia South Ostrobothnia South Savo Kainuu Central Ostrobothnia Central Finland Kymenlaakso Lapland Ostrobothnia North Karelia North Ostrobothnia North Savo and Satakunta. In addition the municipalities of Pirkanmaa include Punkalaidun Virrat Parkano and Kihni.The peat industry employs about 2500 people in Finland. The direct and indirect adverse effects of the industrys considerable contraction on regional economies and employment are significant. In the plans the main focus is on diversifying the areas livelihoods and adapting the industrys workforce. Funding would be targeted especially at jobs in the green economy and new solutions of green technology as well as the new business opportunities they bring with them.Measures for retraining and employment of the workforce would primarily be aimed at those unemployed from the peat sector and those under threat of unemployment. The special target group would be young people. The financing would also develop the know-how and capabilities of peat entrepreneurs for example in the areas of wood harvesting and peat restoration in order to enable new business. You can also comment on the funds environmental report which covers the program text and transition plans for the implementation areas. The report was prepared by Gaia Consulting Oy.Statements no later than August 8 2022 at 4 p.mThe program proposal transition plans and environmental report will be included as part of the Renewing and competent Finland 20212027 EU regional and structural policy program which was approved by the European Commission on May 5 2022. The total public financing of the just transition fund EU state will be approximately EUR 600 million.Statements are requested to be submitted by 8 August 2022 at 4 pm via the Lausuntopalvelu.fi online service.
